The Ekphrastic Review
  • The Ekphrastic Review
  • The Ekphrastic Challenges
    • Challenge Archives
  • Ebooks
  • Prizes
  • Book Shelf
    • Ekphrastic Book Shelf
    • Contributors' Book Shelf
    • TERcets Podcast
  • Workshops
  • Give
  • Submit
  • Contact
  • About/Masthead

After Harold Gilman Tea in a Bedsitter 1916, by Pratibha Castle

12/31/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Tea in a Bedsitter, by Harold Gilman (England) 1916

After Harold Gilman Tea in a Bedsitter 1916

The room is an underwater grotto
where we two women 
tout a sham harmony. 

Our glances glissando 
past a chair, spare
for a hero gone. 

Nessa delves. Scavenger fish, 
she nuzzles my loss. Sea anemone, 
fronds aflutter, 
fingering for crumbs. 
 
My turned-away back 
provokes. Nudges 
blossom to a gull’s scissor-stabs, 
guzzling dead snapper. 
 
Kettle hiss, memory of waves 
splashing, leaping at bare legs 
as the man we both desired
twirled me at the water’s edge. 

White tongues, myriad as stars, 
love’s vows, drenching till, 
dropping behind a dune, we 
shared strawberries, salt kisses, flesh. 

Rocking in the suck and swell, 
a tern’s limp body, shattered pledge 
of safe return. Wrecked hull 
poking from the sand, 
abandoned hope. 
 
Her words crowd in on me, fish 
shoaling, silver-scavenging my silence; 
nip toes, tickles sharpening to needle barbs. 
   
I daydream a cat, on a cushion 
before a log-coddled fire, 
curled in on itself 
like a woman’s longings. 

Tail aflicker, it sniffs our offerings. Milk 
on our granny’s saucer, porcelain, Venetian blue. 
Chicken breast, diced fine. 
Vain lures to tempt it to a lap. 

My dress strains, tightens. Hints 
my heart would hide, 
cradle, precious gems. 
Rubies. Pearls. Calcified tears. 

Pratibha Castle

Pratibha Castle has been involved in creative endeavours since a young child, dancing, sing, and playing the piano. Trained as a classical singer, she formed a folk duo in the early 70s. A mother, holistic therapist, facilitator for women’s healing and meditation, her mother’s death inspired her to return to writing in her 50s when she received a first-class honours degree in Creative Writing, continuing with a CW Masters. She is published in print and online and been recognised in numerous poetry competitions. Her award-winning debut pamphlet A Triptych of Birds and A Few Loose Feathers published 2022 will be followed by a second book, depicting 60s Notting Hill and India.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    The Ekphrastic Review
    Picture
    Current Prompt
    COOKIES/PRIVACY
    This site uses cookies to deliver your best navigation experience this time and next. Continuing here means you consent to cookies. Thank you.
    Join us on Facebook:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture



    ​
    ​Archives
    ​

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015

    Lorette C. Luzajic theekphrasticreview@gmail.com 

  • The Ekphrastic Review
  • The Ekphrastic Challenges
    • Challenge Archives
  • Ebooks
  • Prizes
  • Book Shelf
    • Ekphrastic Book Shelf
    • Contributors' Book Shelf
    • TERcets Podcast
  • Workshops
  • Give
  • Submit
  • Contact
  • About/Masthead