Tags
Carl Sandburg, Carl Zimmerman, Edward Henry Potthast, ekphrastic poetry, Faith Ringgolg, Peder Severin Krøyer, Summer, Winslow Homer
Hello, dVerse poets! It’s Merril welcoming you to the pub tonight. Everyone seemed to enjoy my March ekphrastic, so I decided to do a summer ekphrastic prompt. It’s not technically summer in the northern hemisphere, but here in southern New Jersey, it looks and feels like summer. Summer can be a time of going to the beach, or taking vacations, but it is also a time for parties, picnics, gardens—and storms both literal and metaphorical, as we are caught in a storm of hate and violence right now.
The purpose of an ekphrastic prompt is to inspire your verse, not to be a description. So, even if it is not summery where you are—of if you live where it is always warm—I hope you can still find something to write about. It doesn’t even have to be about summer.
I’ve tried to pick a variety of styles and summer themes, even though I did choose two paintings by Danish artist Peder Severin Krøyer.
For the prompt—choose one or more of the paintings below and write a poem inspired by what you see or feel. Please let us know which painting or paintings inspired you.
Peder Severin Krøyer, Hip, Hip, Hurrah
Peder Severin Krøyer, Summer Evening at Skagen. The Artist’s Wife and Dog by the Shore
Winslow Homer, Summer Squall
“Tar Beach 2” Quilt
1990
Faith Ringgold, American, born 1930. Produced at The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, founded 1977 Philadelphia Museum of Art. I can’t upload it, but you can see it here.
Carl Zimmermann, Deer in a Summer Meadow
Edward Henry Potthast, Summer Day, Brighton Beach
Here is a summer poem for more inspiration.
“Bend low again, night of summer stars.
So near you are, sky of summer stars,
So near, a long-arm man can pick off stars,
Pick off what he wants in the sky bowl,
So near you are, summer stars,
So near, strumming, strumming,
So lazy and hum-strumming.”
Thursday: Is Open Link Night Live! You may link one poem of your choice as usual whether you join the live event or not.
If you are new, here’s how to join us:
*Write a poem based on the writing challenge as described above. Post it on your blog or website.
*Enter your name and direct link to your poem in Mr. Linky.
*Remember to check the box re: privacy policy.
*Follow the links to other poets. Read and comment on other poems. We all appreciate feedback on our poems.
*Link back to dVerse so others can find us too.
*Have fun!
dVerse 
Hello, Poets! Welcome! The pub is open. I can’t wait to read your poems. We’ve had some absolutely beautiful summer days, but now the humidity is starting to rise, and we may have some rain. You might want something cool to drink, but we have everything here in our virtual pub.
Hi Merril – your prompt (thanks for this great topic) brought the sun out today though only just on the warm side so not too much ice in the G&T
You’re welcome, Laura. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the prompt. A G&T with just a whisper of ice.
“a whisper of ice.” – you even put poetry in a glass!
😍 I guess a poetry pub does that.
Hi Merril, thanks for hosting. We are having some rains lately but expect the warmth of the summer in the coming weeks. A glass of cold orange juice will be lovely. Cheers!
You’re welcome, Grace! Cold orange juice coming up.
Thank you for hosting, Merril….and offering some beautiful paintings for our ekphrastic poem today. A glace of pink lemonade with lots of ice please 🙂
You are very welcome, Lillian. Pink lemonade it is. I might join you. 😊
I appreciate another ekphrastic prompt! I intend to write / post today and would like some iced tea to drink. 🙂
I’m happy you’re happy! Here’s a tall glass of iced tea–lemon and sugar on the side, if you want.
Hello… and thanks for sharing the wonderful paintings from Skagen… I grew up with them and decided to write a poem imagining the life of Marie Kroyer in the painting.
You’re welcome, Björn. I just read yours. I’ve used several of the paintings for my own poems. They are beautiful.
Lovely paintings for inspiration Merril ☺️
Thank you so much, Christine. I tried to give some variety.
Hi Merril,
Hi Poets,
great prompt
really enjoyed writing to this one this evening.
of for an iced lemon tea then a bath
back for a read soon.
rog
Hi, Rog. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the prompt! Here’s a tall glass of iced lemon tea.
Wonderful paintings, very shimmery and magical.
Thank you so much. I’m so pleased you like them.
A great prompt, Merril. I love the woman and her dog at the ocean, but decided to go with Winslow Homer instead.
Thank you, Dwight. I love that Winslow Homer painting, too. I’ve used it before for my own posts.
As I told Lisa, I’m feeling overwhelmed, but this is such a good prompt, I’ll keep it for a future poem. Great selection of images. (K)
Thank you, Kerfe. I understand that overwhelmed feeling. It’s hard to keep up with prompts and reading. I can’t do them all either.
Lovely prompt. I’m not sure I’m going to have much time for reading over the next few days, though…
It’s always difficult to keep up with the reading.😊. I’m pleased you enjoyed the prompt.
Many thanks Merril love the choices of art work and a great prompt to work with. I chose the first in the order by Kroyer, so now I have a thirst for a whiskey.
You’re welcome, Paul. Our virtual pub is stocked with everything, so here you go!
Woww this was a great prompt! Thanks a lot Ms Merril! I finally got something to pen… 🙂
I’d very much prefer a glass of watermelon juice, as it is extremely hot here! 😉
You’re very welcome. Here’ a glass of fresh, cold watermelon juice!
Hi Merril, thanks for hosting. Took a break from working out and glanced at yesterday’s dVerse prompt – couldn’t resist. The woman in the very first image by Severin looked so wistful and waiting to me, so sweetly melancholy, that I was inspired to write a piece in that mood. I love the sweetness of love’s longing, so any excuse and I’m there. Nothing quite as emotionally rich as missing your lover on a summer ‘s day, or night.
You’re very welcome, Rob. I’m so pleased the image spoke to you. I’ve used this image–as well as some of the artist’s other images on my posts over the years. He has several set on this beach.
I am a johnny-come-lately to this summer party, drinking cold tea. Very much enjoyed finding out about Winslow Homer and interested to see he spent two years in UK at a fishing village near Newcastle, which by strange and dVerse synchronicity I had already mentioned in the title to my craggy offering. Thank you for providing a creative distraction on Tuesday, when I was on the rocks / in the doldrums. Better now, and off to read yours!
I’m so pleased you enjoyed the prompt! Yes, I remember that he spent some time in the UK. Here’s a refill for your tea. 😊
Hi Merrill,
Thank you for hosting. Albeit late, I enjoyed writing to the prompt. 🙂
I’m pleased you liked it, and I’m sorry for my late response. I’ll be over to check out your poem in just a bit.