
This week’s #TankaTuesday poetry challenge is an Ekphrastic challenge. Read the post HERE.
It thrilled me when my friend, Rebecca Budd, introduced me to her blog called Chasing Art. I’ve always been interested in art, and the different mediums an artist uses to interpret their creativity. She shared John Waterhouse’s works, and my mind lit up with the poetic possibilities!
Painting reminds me of syllabic poetry… we choose a form based on our inspiration and what we want to say or share. We paint with words as we express our stories.
The woman in this painting captivated me. I had so many questions. Here is my first epiphany, a tanka, told from the perspective of the woman in the painting:
in my solitude I conjured the oracle for future outcomes the truth is now crystal clear 'he loves me not,' my lament © Colleen M. Chesebro
But wait… I still had more questions to answer. How about a senryu?
crystal ball readings... the lady's favorite game she loves when she's right © Colleen M. Chesebro
I think there is a story here… How about this double Abhanga? I think this might be the unspoken truth revealed:
deep inside her study the young lady in red weaves magic in her head to pursue truth the crystal ball foretells the babe she carries low conceived by her old beau her spouse will scorn © Colleen M. Chesebro

Join me every Tuesday on wordcraftpoetry.com for the #TankaTuesday Syllabic Poetry Challenge.
Thanks for stopping by to read. <3
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Perhaps they’re all right–different versions and times. 😀
The many layers unpeeled like an onion. The longer you look at the painting the more messages I received. <3
😀
I liked how you progressed through your story revelation using different syllable forms, Colleen. 🙂
The more I looked at the painting, the more messages I received. There is so much here… I could have written more. That’s pretty great inspiration! 😀 <3
Yes, even I felt the same. Thanks for the prompt, Colleen. 🙂
I love your writing in different forms to change the story of the painting!
I loved this painting and other works by Waterhouse. There is just so much to infer from his work. It was fun with the different forms. Just shows that syllabic poetry has a voice in Ekphrastic poetry. <3
Good point about syllabic poetry having a voice in ekphrastic poetry. I’ll have to remember that!
Yes. Many folks forget that. <3
These are brilliant, Colleen! I love the twist in all of them. If you don’t mind me asking, how do you create the copyright symbol?
I’m on a MAC. For me it’s the option button and the letter g pressed at the same time. Google keyboard symbols on Windows to see what they use if that’s your computer. ❤️
Thank you! I’ll try it out. 🙂
Fabulous! This is so good!!
Thanks, Ruth. 🥰
❤️
gorgeous, Colleen…
-David
Thanks, David. ☺️
I loved the picture and your beautiful poetry Colleen!! ❤️
Thanks, Cindy. I saw so many possibilities in this painting. The woman is so expressive. 😍❤️
I can see how many directions it could have gone in but love what you chose! ❤️
Using art really gives me inspiration. It’s fun to work with. ❤️
I’ve found that at times as well!! ❤️👍🏼
I love the stories, the movement, the poetic capture. Beautiful, Colleen. 💗
There was so much in this painting. Did you notice the look on the woman’s face? It’s so expressive. Definitely not good news. ❤️
Love your darker view of the story, and how you added the layers. <3
Thanks Sis. Waterhouse’s paintings are amazing. I’m hooked! 🥰❤️
That painting is full of possibilities! I love where it took you🙂. Nicely done🙂
Pat
Thanks Pat! I’ve missed you! I’ve been so busy and not connected with you lately. Hello! 😍❤️
Hello to you too!🙂 My poetic muse slowed from semicolon, to a Full Stop. I’m waiting for her to re-jiggle and re-start.🙂. How is the cold weather treating you.
I think its wise to not write when the mood doesn’t strike you. The muse needs a break too. You’ll get your poetic mojo back when you least expect it. It’s been cold, but little snow until this weekend. I’m not complaining. How about you? Stay warm. I hope to visit you more often. LOL! <3
I’ve been staying put and keeping warm! I don’t have to go anywhere, or do anything..loving it!!!
Pat
Knocked it out of the park, Sis! <3
LOL! Thank you, Sis. ❤️
The layers unveiled…beautifully. so many stories inside this painting.
I agree. I’ve checked out some of his other works. All of them are full of inspiration. 😍
I like all three responses. I saw that maybe she is pregnant too, you brought in quite a story in the third poem, a lot of intrigue in a few lines. It is a wonderful picture, so much going on in it.
Thanks, D. I’m really taken with Waterhouse’s art. The paintings are all so filled with inspiration. ❤️
Yep.
Love all three 🙂 xo
Thanks so much, Denise!❤️🥰
So, yes. I see it clearly. She is full of secrets. These are all lovely if I may say so— so cool. Thanks for sharing. XoXo
Glad you enjoyed, Selma. ❤️
Beautiful poems, Colleen. I love how you deciphered the image. ❤️
Thanks, Franci. The more I studied the image, the more I seemed to receive. I enjoy using artwork in these challenges.<3
You are right, wise one🙂, everything in time. Same here with the cold, only no snow thank goodness. Being busy is a good thing, stay warm as well. A good Sunday to you♥️
Beautiful, Colleen. What a fun demonstration of different forms and completely different outcomes. The painting was a great choice. It had so much detail to draw on. Wonderful reads, my friend.
All three wonderful poems. The image has so many possibilities and you captured several in these few words.
Thanks so much, Jan. That means so much. <3
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Such wonderful, evocative, and adept pieces.
It was great fun, Jude. It just goes to show that syllabic poetry is very versatile. <3
Don’t I know it🤗🤗
LOL! Yes, you do! 😀 <3
Very nice poems. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Devlin. I’m glad you enjoyed. <3