So I’ve been debating whether to submit an ekphrasis poem to ARAS. Must decide soon because the deadline is 15 November. The theme is “offering”. It’s a work in progress. A second version is at the bottom of this post. Feel free to comment or make suggestions:
version 1
Terra Cotta
Some Egyptian made it out of clay
five thousand years ago –
the arms are holding up a sky.
Today, I’ll take its place.
<ee>
By googling I found out where “she” is. Fascinating to see more detail, and the suggestion of the mix of bird and human features. I may try to explore that aspect of birds and flight more – perhaps make the poem longer… The pose is full of intention and makes me think of the lifting up the sky pose in Qigong.
And in writing this small poem, I discovered that Terra cotta objects are NOT made on a wheel and pottery is. Just as simple as that…
Coincidentally (or not), two days ago, I was trying to write a poem that tied the image to (or contrasted it with) this disturbing story about Toronto as a Killer City of migratory birds and how a group of volunteers (FLAP) go around every early morning, gathering up dead and injured birds.
I do not feel yet, I have the skill to juxtapose the two elements in one poem, but maybe, I’ll add just a bit more (after seeing the figurine from different angles and close-up). Do the extra new bits help?
version 2
Terra Cotta
Some Egyptian made it out of clay
five thousand years ago –
the face is like a bird,
the arms are holding up a sky
Today – with wings – I’ll take
its place
<ee>
[Note – 7 Nov 2012 : This poem is still a work in progress..it’s still growing…drafts are still being written…]
elly from earth 