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

Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose, by Mary Kay Rummel

8/10/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose, by Francisco de Zurbaran (Spain) 1633

​Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose 
  
Three ripe lemons reflected 
in a plate of polished pewter --
breast shaped ovals in morning light, 
shadows defined 
by slanted autumn sun on stones.
 
Ancient motifs — the trinity, homages to the virgin --
oranges with blossoms, water in pewter for purity,
the thornless rose, shades of white and tissue pink,
immaculate conception to renaissance viewers.
 
It’s the intensity of colour that draws me,
that curls my fists and fingers,
lemony oil, pocked yet smooth skin.
My mouth tightening at the taste.
 
Round bellied oranges wear deeper shadows, 
as do sinners who bite into fruit.
 
The background, obsidian
colour beyond all colours, living pigment 
created at the back of the brain,
bright as the history of shadows.
Each colour a kaleidoscope 
muted with gothic dark.

 Mary Kay Rummel

Mary Kay Rummel has published eight poetry collections, recently Cypher Garden  from Blue Light Press. Her books have won awards from New Rivers Press, Bright Hill Press and Blue Light Press. She is co-editor of Psalms of Cinder & Silt, poems about experiences with fires California (Solo Novo Press).  A former poet laureate of Ventura County, California she lives in Minneapolis and Ventura.

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
    ​

    March 2023
    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