 Fifty Shades of Grace, by Lorette C. Luzajic (Canada). 2015. Today we have something a little different to present! Students in an Introduction to Creative Writing class at C. Milton Wright High School in Maryland recently tried their hand at ekphrastic writing. Teacher Sarah Malesh asked her students to "take inspiration from a painting or photograph," and to examine that visual work with attention to what could be seen, as well as what could be imagined. It was also a lesson in publishing, with students learning about how to prepare submissions for a journal, and writing letters of introduction to the editor. The Ekphrastic Review is delighted to be part of this unique and inspiring teaching model, and has decided to feature all of the received submissions in a special showcase. We are presenting the poems to you unedited save for typos and obvious grammatical or spelling errors, and sharing the letters of introduction/bios as well. Please note: The Ekphrastic Review always pairs ekphrastic writing with its visual inspiration, but in this case obtaining permission for each image proved difficult and time consuming. In some cases, students didn't submit a title or artist name! So that no one was left out and we could still proceed with this showcase, alternate images are used with a note and a link to the original source when possible. If permissions come in along the way for the original image prompts, the alternates will be replaced. All students have parental permission to have their work published online. -The Ekphrastic Review  Woman with Umbrella at Seashore, by Henri Matisse (France). 1905. Untitled 10,243 Kilometers away from her love Walks a narrow path, in her parents words her umbrella is her only shield because he himself can’t be around Stress Depression Loneliness she stands strong Continues on her path Brave Hopeful Smart Trusts the process places her future on God’s hands Wishes that in the end she’s with him Jasurbek Rakhimjonov Note: Hi! The name is Jasurbek Rakhimjonov, I go by the name Jazz. I'm a senior in high school, C. Milton Wright high school. I'm originally from Uzbekistan. This is my poem. Enjoy and hope I can publish it. Image: The original prompt for this ekphrastic poem was Rain Princess by Leonid Afremov (Israel, b. Belarus, contemporary.) Click here to view.  Night Saxophone in Mexico City, by Lorette C. Luzajic (Canada). 2016. Untitled I stood from Dominguez Hills looking towards the LA skyline One year is how far I’d be away from the city Looking at it for the last time it stuck out to me I started to see stuff I never saw before The range of colour The range of brightness and darkness The sophisticated building for miles and miles The stars lighting up the sky This night more than ever it seemed as though the moon was larger Almost as if LA was trying to give me an image to remember There was difference with unity Darkness with Brightness And even though there was so much to take in There was a simplicity of it all Eugene Pettiford Note: Hello, I'm Eugene Pettiford. I'm a high school student studying Ekphrastic poetry and how to publish such poems. Here is a poem for your consideration. Bio possibility: Eugene Pettiford is a high school student who plans to study engineering next year at Cal State Fullerton. Image: The original prompt for this poem was L.A. Skyline by Anthony Caruso (USA). Contemporary. Click here to see image.  Waterloo Bridge in the Fog, by Claude Monet (France). 1903. The Painter The road I strolled was gray A tiny, drab town with familiar faces Someway she painted the city Everywhere she walked With colours and shapes That at one point looked so regular Now look so captivating The road I used to walk alone Was gloomy, gray, dreary, and lifeless Until she warmed the once long, grim road And made it seem as if we were rambling on a canvas Madison Folino Note: Dear Lorette, We have not corresponded before, my name is Madison, I'm from Bel Air, Maryland. I have three horses and a dog and enjoy writing very much. Here is a poem for your consideration. Image: The original prompt for this poem is Fog in the Park 3 by Leonid Afremov (Israel, b. Belarus, contemporary.) Click here to view.  A Mountain Path in Spring, by Ma Yuan (China). c.1160-1225 Generations The years I’ve seen never seize to amaze me Every cub, every fawn, pup, and child When the lands awaken, birds resurrect the lost and forgotten When the grass breaks under pressure and the ponds give off steam When the skyscraper sides crawl with life The generations visit me The withered bring the rejuvenated The settled bring the dying The grieving bring flowers The devastated bring tears Strong standing, gazing at the accomplished Knowing it’s time to go To plant anew A life is brought, an end nears Respect can be sensed in the silence The dew grazed air The light watching through closed doors The thanks for protection Stability Comfort Friendship A memory will be imprinted A feeling will be left A smile forever shining in the red flower’s glow Generations will follow Stories will be told Reality and fantasy Of the Weeping Willow And the Mountain Path in Spring Piper Grada Note: Dear Lorette, My name is Piper Grada and I am a Sophomore at C. Milton Wright High school in Bel Air, Maryland. I have written an ekphrasis poem that I would love to submit to your publication website. Thank you so much for taking to time to consider me!  Travelling Carnival, Santa Fe, by John Sloan (USA). 1924. Travelling Carnival The yearly travelling carnival The carousel spinning around Encased in wind like a tornado The night is moonless Painted in cobalt The crowd is vast Never-ending The sickly-sweet cotton candy The smell of funnel cake Children dash past me Towards the Ferris wheel The Ferris wheel So colossal The top cannot be seen The best day of the year And yet it all ends in 10 minutes... Mackenzie Arvey Note: Dear Ekphrasis Review, Hello, my name is Mackenzie Arvey. I am a sophomore in high school and I have loved writing since elementary school. I have always love reading books since an early age. I actually started writing in middle school, when I joined creative writing club. It gave me a chance to publish my work and for my school to read it. I have carried on that love for writing into high school, where I am in journalism and creative writing. I hope you will consider my Poem ‘Travelling Carnival’ which is inspired by the painting Travelling Carnival, Santa Fe, by John Sloan.  Healed, by Cynthia Tedy (Indonesia). Contemporary. Click image for artist blog. Healed She noticed me Every single one of my Subtle movements. She recognized I was in pain And healed me. She healed me because She was hurt too And then one day she was gone. Najji Carek Note: Dear Lorette, Najji is a senior in high school who dabbles in writing poetry from time to time. Though he may not be the greatest he tries his best especially since he is in a literary arts path way.  The Old Guitarist, by Pablo Picasso (Spain) 1903-1904. Street Performers I am rested gently on my owner’s lap on a cold winter’s night Vibrations are sent through me from my strings, my owner shaking from the cold My owner is poor, he is a street performer, with no true home which is his plight As he sits here hunched over me, his hands on me, such a light and gentle hold People pass by, some drop their money in his can, as the sky begins to snow white My owner can’t bring himself to smile at those who give, he is too weak and old I too feel old, feel worn out, but no one would know. I don’t have a voice The only voice I have is the vibrations that emit from my core My owner controls my voice, What I say is not my choice The song he plays is light, almost sad, some stop to adore Those who come are more privileged, happier, filled with joy We have never felt this privilege, we have lived in strife When I was first found, when my owner was a boy Poor street performers, all our life. Katie Monaghan Note: Dear Ekphrastic Review, Hello, my name is Katie Monaghan. I’m currently in high school and writing is one of my strong passions, I was never interested in it till this year when I realized I was a bit talented and it was something I enjoyed. I also enjoy art, especially water colour paintings and drawings. I’d like you to consider my poem, "Street Performers”, it is inspired by a painting called The Old Guitarist by the very famous Pablo Picasso. It would be an honour to have this work published, it would show me I actually have some potential in the writing field. Thank you in advance for your consideration.  Dans La Prairie, by Claude Monet (France). 1876. Dans La Prairie An endless sea of flowers Patches of violet, yellow, and lacy white specks Sway in the cool afternoon breeze I set down my parasol And myself Right where I was yesterday And each day before clutching the day’s read. My white dress is enveloped by colour Leaving only my bonnet to float above the surface of green Like a large white waterlily I turn to page 142 Where the darkness of yesterday evening Commanded I stop Soon I am no longer in this prairie There are no blossoms, no birdsong, no bloom-scented breeze But ocean spray and miles of deep blue I am no longer a French girl of nineteen But a sailor with a thirst for adventure, A crew of one hundred, And a creaky wooden deck below my feet I can traverse the world, go where I choose The only thing stopping me Is the setting sun Soon I must abandon ship. Gradually my pages have dimmed to navy blue And squinting ceases to reveal more words, More adventures. I’m again in the prairie I lift my parasol From where I will return to tomorrow, Where I will return to sea. Christina Capozzoli Note: Hello Lorette, This is my Ekphrasis Poetry Submission! Bio: Christina Capozzoli, age 17, is a current senior at C Milton Wright High School in Bel Air, Maryland. She enjoys many forms of creative expression, including drawing, crafting, music, and writing. Passionate about saving the environment, Christina hopes to apply her skills to one day make a difference.  Flaming June, by Sir Frederic Leighton (UK). 1895. Her Beauty She is aspiring in the world And while she is aspiring I will be there. I will be there supporting her And making sure her beauty does not get tainted. I will be there making sure that she does not get corrupted By the awful people in the world. Her beauty will rule the world while not being tainted And I will be there supporting her. Madison Mandrgoc Note: Dear Lorette, Madison is a senior in high school at C. Milton Wright High School in Maryland. Madison is 17 years old and is trying to get her work done. Madison is just trying to get her stuff out in the world. Image: The original image that prompted this poem is by Anna Gogoleva. Click here to view.  Dovima with the Elephants, by Richard Avedon (America) 1955. Beauty and the Bulk The hair, the makeup, the dress All pretty and perfect The musky stench of damp hay hanging in the air With the slightest hint of sweet perfume The elephants won't quit stamping their feet and happily making their trumpet-like noises Posing, changing, rearranging "Touch up the makeup and smooth the crease in Dovima's dress!" Perfect, the perfect shot "Wonderful job my elephant whisperer." McKenna Renoult Note: Dear Lorette, I am so excited to be working with you on publishing my first Ekphrastic poem! I'm also looking forward to submitting more pieces in the future. Right now in my creative writing class, we are in our poetry unit, and learning about ekphrastic poetry. McKenna Renoult is a high school sophomore living in Bel Air, Maryland with her three sisters, parents, and adorable chorkie named Bowtie.  Girl at Mirror, by Norman Rockwell (USA). 1954. Am I Pretty Now? Mommy is unaware of what her little girl is up to. The little girl who isn’t playing with her doll. The girl, she’s in her mommy’s bedroom. Pulling her stool up to the large mirror. Opening up the magazine. She snagged from her big sisters room. She opens it to the page with the beautiful women. She compares her own face to the face on paper. The little girl does not believe she is pretty. Her petite face clouded with insecurities. Grabbing her mommy’s brush and lip gloss. She applies to her face. It had been days before When she watched her sister do the same thing Just before she had gone out with a boy “Why do you put that on your face?” the little girl asked, “It makes me pretty” Now the girl looks at herself in the mirror. Now she thinks she is pretty. Christine Wolf Note: Christine Wolf is a high school sophomore in Maryland. Who likes to write in her free time. This is her first poem she has submitted.  Sunset, by Lorette C. Luzajic (Canada). 2016. Drifting There I sat, drifting away, But the memories were bright and clear, Flashing back to me, Like the rays of the setting Fiery sun across the water. There I sat, drifting away, Still staring at the horizon, Longing, reaching out for Those moments to come back to me. There I sat, hopelessly drifting away, Aching for you to stay. Kendall Anderson Note: Dear Lorraine, Kendall is lacklustre high school student with a passion for writing poetry and short stories. Her inspiration stems from her emotions and past experiences. Her writing has a touch of realism and brings much more life to the piece for the reader. Image: The original photograph that prompted this poem could not be sourced.  Kogitsunemaru Toku -Touken Ranbu game card. Kogitsunemaru How long has it been? 1200 years as a lump of steel Three weeks since I have tread this world Three weeks since I have felt the ceaseless rhythm of life Three days since I have been challenged to lead One day since I have failed What did I do wrong? How could I have saved them? My duty has changed yet remained the same To protect. No longer must I stand and watch For now I can take action To protect them with these hands -My hands- So come… Join this wild dance! And fight To protect. To guard their histories. To protect their futures. Heather Pace Note: Heather is a high-school student with strong interests in art, creative writing, and Japanese. She loves Japanese history and much of her work is in some way inspired by this. Past high-school her goal is to become a manga artist. Image: The image that inspired this poem is by Ronaldo Ichi & Valesca Bragga and could not be sourced for this showcase.  The Scream, by Edvard Munch (Norway). 1893. Tech Panic The fields I once leaped across, Were now infected with coding The mountains I’ve worked years to climb, Are nothing but ones and zeroes The dirt I once got on my clothes, Were polluted with electricity The bright blue skies which held the stars, Were swallowed by downloaded fog What to take from this modified world? Is this truly the future? What can I see, how do I react? Is this freedom? Or just a bigger trap? The road less traveled by, Isn’t always the brightest one Humanity chose a road of technology, And there left our god, our sun Nobody can hear you screaming, In a world that’s lacking life A place so deserted, Even your echoes abandon you No matter how fresh or rotten the air, I wasn’t familiar with it The truth is my cure, in here I’m sick, Perhaps this is what it means to truly panic Nnamdi Olushola Image: Click here to see the image that originally inspired this poem.  The Leaves Fall By the Hundreds, by Lorette C. Luzajic (Canada). 2015. An Autumn Walk All wrapped up in our cozy sweaters We prepare ourselves for the fall time weather. The crisp orange and red leaves fell from the trees We walked slowly, enjoying the morning breeze. The leaves were wet from rain drops Falling onto the ground, "Plop!" The ground was wet and mushy due to rain from the night before But we walked in our tall boots, in which we wore. The smell of the dewy leaves which have fallen from the beautiful trees Reflect on fall. This is our autumn walk. Abby Cundiff Note: Dear Lorette, My name is Abby Cundiff. I am a senior in high school and this is my first time contacting you and ever writing an ekphrasis poem. Below is a copy of my poem. Bio: Abby Cundiff is a first time writer who is a senior in high school. Image: The original image that inspired this ekphrasis is Romantic Moment by Leonid Afremov. Click here to view.  Mount Arapiles and the Mitre Rock, by Nicholas Chevalier (Russia). 1863. Moving On We live behind the large plateau It's the only place we know We've never been away from here The rivers, lakes, and the deer The sky sets in a beautiful way But I realize that I can no longer stay Australia will forever be a part of me But it's just not meant to be. Emily DeNardi Note: Dear Lorette, My name is Emily DeNardi and I am a senior in high school. This is my firm time contacting you to publish my work. Here is one poem for your consideration. Bio: Emily DeNardi, a writer and senior in high school.  Seven of Swords, by Lorette C. Luzajic (Canada). 2000. Untitled
A ghoulish fog, It lingers in my breath. I want to be myself. But a coexistence of stillness Hides within the trees. I will not allow myself to be Someone I am not. An eerie mist sits About my feet. I rather not to be fake as the rest. A silence waves around in the Thickening air. Everything feels to be in slow motion. I am not alone in this dense world. The fog shifts in an unsettling motion. I’ll keep evolving, into something bigger. Even if it means leaving you behind. Rozlyn Lovelace Note: Dear Lorette, My name is Rozlyn Lovelace, I am 16 and go to C. Milton Wright in Maryland, USA. I am a lover of writing, photography and music. I am a shy and to myself kind of person. I only have my one poem as of now and I do hope you like it. Image: The original photograph that prompted this ekphrasis is by Gabby Minkiewicz. Click here to see it.
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March 2023
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