María Berrío, Closed Geometry, 2022, paper collage and watercolor on linen
Ears ringing,
cheeks aflame
ugly laughter
echoes behind as I race
thorough sedge
to my kin.
They are my family.
They welcome me.
With them I feel whole,
my body small, airy
in pink satin ruffles.
They listen.
They speak
without words.
With them I am home.
UPDATE on 7/26/23: after reading several of the ekphrastic poems inspired by the artwork, I decided to look for information about where the artist was coming from. If you want to see Colombian artist, Maria Berrio’s POV, read here.
Grace is today’s host for dVerse’ Poetics. Grace says:
For today’s poetry challenge, choose from among 3 images … and write a ekphrastic poem. What details (colors, shapes, characters) from the art work strike you and evoke an emotional and/or intellectual response from you?
Tao Talk 
Your poem expresses her feelings so well Li. Lovely
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Thank you. I felt this was a safe space for the figure in the pink ruffled dress.
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Yes indeed, we all need our own tribe to make us feel comfortable
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This is incredibly evocative, Lisa! I can feel the mood of this painting through your words ❤️❤️
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Thank you, Sanaa <3
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Your poem jumped right into the image and the situation, Lisa, and made me feel for the subject with the lines:
‘Ears ringing,
cheeks aflame
ugly laughter
echoes behind as I race’,
I felt great sympathy for her, with her ‘body small, airy / in pink satin ruffles’.
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Thank you, Kim <3
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I had similar thoughts about this one. So sad that we (humans) are so selective about who we will accept as part of the gang.
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Thanks much, Jane, and I’m glad you did. So true. Also when one is from a rabidly homophobic/transphobic family. I saw this person as one who was “caught” dressing in a sibling’s dress.
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Another way of not fitting in, and feeling lost.
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So evocative, Lisa, especially the opening, and her small body “in pink satin ruffles.”
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Thanks much, Merril.
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You’re welcome, Lisa!
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An interesting poem of transition…
I liked these lines…
They listen.
They speak
without words.
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Thanks, Dwight <3
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You are welcome, Lisa.
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I can appreciate your interpretation of someone at peace in her true element. Well done!
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Susan, thank you <3
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My first reaction, she has been hurt/injured desperately needing support/healing from the only people who could provide it. A beautiful poem, Lisa.
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Helen, thank you for your kind and sensitive comment <3
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What a beautiful ending with: With them I am home.
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<3 Thank you, Grace.
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A special place to escape to!
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Carol, I can almost feel the energy of that space from here. Thank you for seeing it.
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The beginning is alarming
Ears ringing,
cheeks aflame
ugly laughter
echoes behind as I race
while the end induces a sense of peace.
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Reena thank you for sharing what you see in the poem.
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That sense of refuge — You capture it so beautifully!
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Dora thank you, yes. Shelter from the storm.
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your words brought deep meaning Lisa💕
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Thank you, Cindy. The image resonated with me.
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You’re most welcome💞
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Ooh. Thank you for the information. I love your poem, especially the last line and
“ugly laughter
echoes behind as I race
thorough sedge
to my kin.”
Oh-so-relatable.
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Thank you, Melissa, and sorry you can relate to it :(
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Well, not so much now.❤️🙏🏼
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<3
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Quite the haunting image, this one. 😳😁
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I love this painting! The fact it is part watercolor and part collage has me geeked. And of course the image.
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Thanks for the link to María Berrío…I enjoyed that.
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You’re welcome. I really like this artist and enjoyed learning more about her.
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I like hearing their take on their work…sometimes much different but thats what it’s all about.
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