For this week’s Poetics, I’m highlighting my favorite fine art portrait photographer, Phyllis Galembo.
Galembo has been inspired by the idea of ritual and costume for more than twenty-five years.
Her photography documents mythic figures of the spirit world within the culture
of masquerade in Africa.
I’ve selected twelve amazing portraits from her most recent publication, ‘MASKE,’ for today’s prompt.
Please only use the ones below to post with your poem as I’ve attached a copyright to each photo as per her request.
Let’s have fun…and dig deep: you don’t have to write solely about what’s in the portrait.
You might only get inspiration from one or two elements in a costume,
or maybe even just background/scenery of the photo that takes your piece in another direction – go there if you wish; be abstract.
I’m excited to see what bold works everyone will produce from Galembo’s photography.
Here’s how we get down AKA the rules:
- Choose a photo (or however many you want) and write a poem that fits the prompt on your blog/webpage
- Click the Mr. Linky button below and enter your name & direct url to your poem
- There you will find other poets’ work for today’s prompt – engage with one another and have a good time learning from each other
- Feel free to share using the social media of your choice
very cool art brother
thanks for the introduction to her work…i am familiar with her work because you have used her pictures for a while on your blog, right?
there is def something primal…and it came out a bit in my HOWL of a poem…ha…
look forward to seeing how others interpret the work.
that’s right! I’ve been a fan of hers for years… yea, I def felt the primal in your piece… smiles.
That last photo reminds me so much of the Romanian New Year’s custom of Capra, going out on the streets and from one house to the next with a goat costume and dance.
wow…you sent me on a google quest….found a really cool video of the parade for capra in romania…and yeah, i can see the link between it and these pics….
Always happy to be of service…
Getting a little homesick sometimes.
Yeah, I just googled too… a lot of similarities. awesome
Pubs open!
Perfect cheery subject to write and think about. Well done you getting this going.
I was hoping that the red devils from that series might be available to us. That’s what inspired me: “Better the Devil you know…”
Never mind, the image is in my head 🙂
ah, I know that photo… smiles. Thanks, I’ll be over in a bit
Anthony, what a wonderful Poetics challenge; Phyllis’ images are so incredible. It took longer than I had anticipated to find my poetic hook once I chose an image, but the hours spent were worth it. But was finishing my recitation the minute you opened the pub doors; way cool; thanks.
very cool tie to history g….
Thanks, Glenn! There is so much to draw from; I was at my laptop for a couple hours trying to figure out which direction I wanted to go… Did a few rewrites on the last 2 stanzas, too.
very cool prompt anthony… her pics are way cool…
just coming in the door from work… have to write today’s za tour blogpost and once i’ve posted i’m back to read….
yay. good to see you c….
Hi Claudia thanks so much for finding the time to join. smiles
Now that is a great prompt …. just fun to take a photo and let your pen run 🙂
exactly 🙂 thanks for coming by
Interesting choices today, Anthony. I think ‘masks’ is a subject many can relate to in different ways. And your photos gave lots of choices.
Yes – that (and the fact that I just love her work) was why I thought this would be good for a prompt.
Stunning photography from Phyllis, and a great prompt from you, Anthony! Thank you for tending bar tonight, and I’ll be back later to read and comment! Mine’s short and (not so) sweet, but I’m pushed for time, trying to squeeze in work, poetry and bag-packing for a family visit…! Poetry has to be in the mix somewhere though 🙂
ha. i liked yours freya….smiles.
thanks Freya… yours was awesome 🙂
alright… back and out on the trail in a minute….
Thanks for the prompt, Anthony! Masks are not just related to Mardi-Gras and carnivals.
so true…and a very nice piece yourself gabriella…the fear and repetition worked well in it…
Fascinating artwork Anthony. I am meeting two prompts with this piece – my second Sestina – oh my, which was asked for on the National Poetry Month prompts yesterday so I wrote with this picture in mind. I occasionally do protest poems – this is two in a row for me. Thanks for hosting today. Always a joy to see you.
will have to check out your other protest poem. i am a bit of a fan of them. smiles.
thoroughly enjoyed it, Gay! thanks for joining
Beautiful images, and a wonderful prompt! I must admit, after I had decided on the photo, I myself was surprised at the direction it took me to! Will be back to reading other poems tomorrow.. it’s late night here now.. Thanks for hosting, Anthony.
good nite; your write was stellar 🙂
Well, I’ve commented on everyone so far… will return later.
Thanks Anthony for sharing these astonishing photos. I actually remember one (the cloaked man holding the chain) from your blog a while back.
good to see you mark….
Hey Mark! you’re totally right; I own her book, ‘Maske’ and it’s inspired quite of few of my writes.
Thanks for introducing me to her work Anthony ~ An interesting prompt, thank you ~
Hitting the trail now ~ Happy Tuesday to all ~
…tried my hand at it….when I saw some of her other photos that we could not use, I was able draw on the same inspiration to apply to this one. Def like the anthropology aspect. Thanks Anthony.
good morning… over to read in a bit…
good morning claudia…
Wow! Powerful images! I want to know the story behind each costume, but found very little information. And so, you know, I wrote a process poem. I hate the frustration of bumping my head up against my own ignorance, bu I am handling it better than I used to. Thanks for the prompt, Anthony. I’ll be back to read tomorrow.
see you then susan…
it would be interesting to know the background
they def spoke to me on a visceral level so i did not
even think of researching them…
I actually wrote some for each photo… but, decided not to include it in the prompt; I wanted people to be inspired by the photo, and the photo alone; not knowing gives you guys creative freedom. I thought background info would rip that away and cause too many to write the same poem.
Responding to your comment on my poem: I will be happy to purchase and read the book. I struggled with this prompt because I’ve had so much training not to enact white privilege to colonize others, and people of color in particular. I know too little about anything African That embarrasses me, so I decided to research it. Finally, I accepted my position in relation to the challenge and think the resultant poem brings across an important idea in a poetic way. I hope you think so too. I gained from the challenge, but could have learned with information too–and still would have been interested in the book. No matter. The prompt inspires poetry. I am happy you visited my blog.
Understood. I just wanted to let you know why I thought it was best to not include any background. I am glad you still decided to write for the prompt 🙂
Coming late to the party, this week, but I suspect there’s still fun to be had. Thanks for the prompt, Tony, and thanks to Phyllis for allowing you to share her work with us.
very intriguing pictures Anthony. Have been shuttling a bit with family and work. So not connecting in now but sure enough inspiring and hopefully will find my words!
i hope you do akila…and i hope all is well with your family….
What wonderful work – I am absolutely stunned! Thank you so much for sharing. ♥