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

Tugged to Berth for Breaking Up, by Stephen Kingsnorth

8/11/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Fighting Temeraire (tugged to her last berth to be broken up), by J.M.W. Turner (England) 1839

Tugged to Berth for Breaking Up     
 
What is this title, sub about?
A sound of weird philosophy,
some nightmare of midwifery,
phrase fortunate for fact or pun,
intended, or unstable mind?
 
Who commands attention, rides the waves,
gains position that moves public taste?
Hanging committee, Turner’s hold -
own chosen space, as face the square,
Trafalgar’s glory at the door,
astute for Fighting Temeraire.
 
Just second rate, a blockade float, 
named risk and rash or foolhardy,
less fight, sauce boat by crew baptised,
both convoy escort, clinker jail, 
until their broadside intervened,
saved Victory, from jaws defeat,
this hero, needed by the state.
 
Dark daring gashes cause the bright,
was scumbled sun its set or dawn?
Or both, a transit for the time,
embroidered ghost, furled sails, firm masts -
though none aboard, this funeral pyre.
The steaming tug hauls canvas ship,
stack moved, stark flame, emerging age,
this searing scene marked changing pace,
new dispensation underway.
 
The craft from Chatham dockyard launched,
graffiti on oak timbers felled,
by Father Thames to Rotherhithe,
its skeleton, the hulk frame spread 
through city streets to Ludgate Hill.
 
Lain beside Lord Nelson’s tomb,
alive today on cashier’s plate,
was this art, promissory note?
This darling child of artist’s age, 
due homage paid to lost, the past,
is this a fulcrum, turning years,
can this permit altering taste, 
to atmospheric painting mood?
 
Stephen Kingsnorth

Stephen Kingsnorth (Cambridge M.A., English & Religious Studies), retired to Wales from ministry in the Methodist Church, has had some 140 pieces accepted by on-line poetry sites, including The Ekphrastic Review; and Gold Dust, The Seventh Quarry, The Dawntreader, Foxtrot Uniform Poetry Magazines, Vita Brevis Anthology ‘Pain & Renewal’ & Fly on the Wall Press ‘Identity’.  https://poetrykingsnorth.wordpress.com/


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



    ​
    ​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