English: The Artist’s Garden at Giverny,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Artist%27s_Garden_at_Giverny
Impressions of Spring
beyond March’s window
limbs bare weathered bones
hoary fingers splayed in grim supplication
for an hour’s sun-shower
where only moss grows
last year’s papery stalks
lie swathed in brown leaves
the soggy gray detritus of irises
where rain drums a heartbeat
on dull amber grass
yet hidden in the loam
the earth awakens
pledging iris leaves and buds on cherry trees
an impression of spring
dappled with violet
Monet’s garden is not how my landscape looks at all. Here on the mountain, spring daffodils are weeks away. But there are hints of green, a new shoot here and there, leaving the impression that spring is on its way.
Ekphrastic poetry is written in response to a piece of art. Colleen Chesebro chose this prompt after seeing it on Rebecca Budd’s blog: Chasing Art.
I wrote a Double Ennead, a syllabic form created by Colleen. Each of the three stanzas has five lines with a syllable count of 6/5/11/6/5, (33 syllables, giving the entire poem a total of 99).
To read more responses to the challenge, learn about syllabic poetry, or submit your own poem, stop by Colleen’s blog: Wordcraft Poetry.
Myths of the Mirror 
Beautiful poetry and a beautiful image!
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Isn’t the painting lovely, Jennie. Monet .was amazing Spring just got here this week, so it was pretty dreary outside when I wrote that poem. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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Oh, my, I adore this. You describe the picture of the deep breath before the plunge into spring most perfectly. The death of winter and the soft pale peeking of spring just underneath – gorgeous. An impression of spring – something artistic about that – I am no artist and have no knowledge of art, but you have certainly painted a picture for us to admire with this piece.
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Thanks for the visit and the wonderful comment, Lenora. I was so struck by the contrast between Monet’s garden and the dreariness outside my window. I had to go with it. But I knew spring was coming “just underneath.” And now it’s “almost” here. 😀
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Hopefully – since it has taken me so long to reply – hopefully spring has now fully arrived and is in ‘bloom’ where you are too!
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Spring came and went. It lasted about 4 days. Lol. Gotta laugh. 😀
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Lol! Oh no!
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I sure do think that Colleen came up with a great 99-syllable form for poems – and your content let me feel nature’s vibration. Wow
and this line really stuck out “rain drums a heartbeat
on dull amber grass….”
—
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Thank you! Colleen has done so much to bring poetry into our lives and she’s immensely creative. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. Not exactly a reflection of Monet’s garden, but the stark contrast called to me. Happy Writing, my friend.
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Your poem today reminded me of how unique a poem can be and how there seems to be an endless way an individual can put together their words – their experiences – and arrange them with so much flavor. Kind of like how new songs keep unfolding – and i really felt that awakening of the season with your poem.
oh and in a way your poem does connet to Monet
and maybe all the impressionists – because my knowledge of that movement was that they were breaking free of rigid and realistic paintings (that took years) and had an awakening (perhaps like spring and new life)
with a lighter approach using outdoor light and casual brushstrokes to give us that softer and quicker painting – hmmmmm
well maybe it is time for another cup of tea!
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What a great comment! I did use the painting as inspiration, but decided to honor the muse and go where it led me. One of the things that I really enjoy about Colleen’s challenges is reading all the vastly different takes on the same prompt. I find that kind of variety and creativity incredibly exciting. It sometimes blows me away. Enjoy your tea!
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🙂
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Your vivid descriptions always make me imagine something I wouldn’t have before.
‘limbs bare weathered bones’
I don’t think I’ll look at a tree the same again; I love this so much! Spring has arrived here on the coast, and the cherry blossoms and daffodils are out; their magnificence is on full display. We are very lucky! I hope the colours awaken for you soon, as well. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! ❤️
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So lovely to hear from you, Tanya, always, and thank you for the kind compliement. Monet’s garden was so far from the view outside my window that I went with the contrast. We’re expecting more snow this weekend into the start of next week, so spring is being quite shy about showing her face. It’s wonderful to hear that she’s taking hold where you live. Enjoy the magnificence. Hugs ❤ ❤ ❤
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I enjoy reading ekphrastic poetry. There’s a lot of it on WP, and it’s good.
Ekcitedic is how your poem makes me feel. Love it!
Rebecca posts wonderful art on her blog.
I always enjoy my visits there, and here.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the poem, Resa. I love Monet’s garden and his paintings, but it was such a contrast to my dreary view. I had to go with that… and tucked in there a bit about the promise of spring despite all that dreariness. Yes, Rebecca’s commitment to sharing wonderful art is fabulous. ❤
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I know what you mean. Toronto is a blear of drear. The poem works perfect.❤
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We’re supposed to get snow for the next four days. What????
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Uch…. and we are living in gray. Still, it’s above 0. yay
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😀
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Hooray, Spring! I look forward, on your behalf, to those daffodils making their appearance!
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Thanks, Betsy. I have one daffodil so far. But snow expected over the weekend (which won’t last long). How I’d love to have Monet’s garden! Perhaps I’ll plant some irises this year. 🙂
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Irises are gorgeous! I love flowers, and Monet’s paintings, but I’m a terrible gardener.
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Yeah, me too. Lol
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🙂
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Your first few lines indeed evoke a cold March morning. I’m glad you finished with the promise of spring.
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I had to get to spring at the end of the poem, Bernadette. And yesterday I found a daffodil! Yay. Hoping for another one next week. 🙂 Thanks so much for the visit, my friend. You made me smile.
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Just beautiful! Your words do paint an expression of spring forthcoming…I love Monet’s work! I can visualize the color violet in my mind’s eye through your description without any picture at all. I always look for the first Iris to bloom…so rich, so spellbindingly lovely, especially near a wooded place.
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I have wild purple irises, Linda. They’re such a luxury. A long ways away from blooming here though (with snow on the way). I’m also a fan of Monet’s work. His paintings of his gardens are mesmerizing. Thanks for stopping by and for the kind comment. ❤
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Those wild purple irises sound lovely!!!
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Beautiful poem, Diana. I am impressed by your impressions of spring. 🤗
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Ours is still rather gloomy up here, but it’s trying. Monet’s garden is beautiful, isn’t it? How I’d love to see that outside my window! Have a lovely week, my friend.
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It’s a gorgeous painting. So vibrant and colorful. I wish for you to delight in the blooms of spring very soon! Enjoy this day and your week, Diana. 😊
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Great poem and loved the image!! I see spring popping out so much this week….trees are bushes are doing their spring blooming!!
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That sounds wonderful, Kirt. I noticed that Portland is in bloom too. As usual, up here, we’re behind and still getting snow. Spring when it arrives is going to be glorious. Thanks for the visit and I’m glad you enjoyed the poem and who doesn’t enjoy Monet! 🙂
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[…] D. Wallace Peach […]
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Thanks for the link and the beautiful promp, Colleen. Hugs.
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Your vivid imagery is truly a gift to the sense Diana. Such a lovely poem on the prompt! Really great job! 💞
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Thanks, Cindy. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. I love writing to these prompts. Have a great week, my friend. ❤
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Exceptional poem and image Diana.
xoxo
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Thanks so much for the visit, Gabriela. Monet is wonderful and his garden was a bit of artwork in and of itself. That is NOT how my mucky gray yard looks. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem, my friend. ❤
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[…] Impressions of Spring #tankatuesday […]
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Thanks so much for sharing the post and poem, Viv. Much appreciated. ❤
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I absolutely love Monet, and you’ve definitely done the painting justice!
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Thanks, Suzanne. I kind of went with the opposite of the painting as a commentary on the SNOW outside. Hehe. But spring is out there somewhere. I know it is. Thanks for reading. 🙂
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