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

Pepper's Ghost, by Ellie Nevin

3/6/2018

0 Comments

 
Pepper's Ghost

Dancing on a pinpoint of hope, like a lingering whisper
you fly, hazy and billowing, circling in liquid air.
 
Your silence is a siren call. As I sail in my ship of grief,
I glance toward the sky to find the trail of stars
 
that will take me to Arcadia, your hallowed space
where lights blaze and dark places are dark no longer.
 
A ghostly mirage, you’re pale-faced in the gloom,
and yet you glimmer, like a candle in a distant window.
 
You’re the faith that restores promise, despite haunting fancies
swimming, knocking at the backdoor of the mind.
 
Though melancholy fills my lungs and weighs me down
to sinking point, I see your outstretched arm and rise
 
A breath away from breaking your enchantment, reaching
consciousness enough, I touch the fluted edges of your dress.
 

Enigma, gossamer flower, you diminish. My fingerprint,
a labyrinth, home to earthen soil of growth and love and blood,
 
corrupts you. Waning in the glass, your chiffon ruffles melt
into a distant nebula, blurred form that taints me

 
with sorrow. Your presence clings to this dusty air,
much longer after you’ve gone.


Ellie Nevin

Editor's note: This poem was written in response to Kate Moss wearing designer Alexander McQueen's Autumn/Winter 2006 Collection.

Ellie Nevin is a Yorkshire lass who is living in Lancaster to study a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. She is a poet at heart but also dabbles in other creative areas such as painting and sketching when she has the time!
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
    ​

    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