The Lady of the Snows #Ekphrastic #Poetry

Published on by balroop2013
Boughton, George Henry; The Lady of the Snows; Walker Art Gallery; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/the-lady-of-the-snows-97671

This week Colleen ‘s #TankaTuesday challenge explores Ekphrastic poetry, inspired by the work of art. We have the freedom to write free verse but then write one syllabic poem too.

The Lady of the Snows

Each morning 
when eastern rim glows pink, 
the lady of snow spreads her mittened hands, 
cedes her power and walks across the river, flowing leisurely.

She tarries just a second
to shake off the snowflakes from her attire,
to gather the beams of morning sun,
to savor the silence of winter morn, 
to borrow beauty from mother nature.

Alone she walks with élan
across the bridge, beyond the era
Lilting with life.  
Taciturn by nature, 
with tranquil transition in her eyes, 
she breathes a message of giving, 
giving all that you gather.

© Balroop Singh

***

paragon of poise
image of Mother Nature
breathing buoyancy

© Balroop Singh

Thank you.

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68 thoughts on “The Lady of the Snows #Ekphrastic #Poetry”

  1. Ahh…, Balroop, your poem is so strong and beautiful. Each stanza sings a song.
    I feel I walk with her in this enchanted world.
    The ending of giving brings a strong message.
    miriam

    1. Thank you Miriam, for saying such beautiful words about this poem, I am glad it inspires you to walk along with the lady… I see her as Mother Nature and she always gives in various forms. 😊 Sending hugs for Understanding the depth of my words.

  4. Wow! I just love wallowing in the images you conjure with your poetry, Balroop. As always, this was exceptional.

    My favorite image comes from this section…
    She tarries just a second
    to shake off the snowflakes from her attire,
    to gather the beams of morning sun,
    to savor the silence of winter morn,

    BRAVO!

  7. The freestyle and senryu at the end of the poem are stunning! I love this combination of poetry because the syllabic form at the end finishes your thoughts in such a lovely way. It’s beautiful, Balroop. 💛

    1. Thank you Colleen. Freestyle has always been my favorite, as it lets my thoughts flow but I have been learning the art of choosing the words and replacing them to fit within the required limits. All thanks to you for the inspiration. 🤗

      3. Ha, Ha! I strive to not write too much purple prose. I think that’s why I like syllabic poetry. There is a bit of mystery in the interpretation of the poem because of the brevity in words. It’s not exact and can mean different things to different people.

      4. Creating mystery through words and that too in a poem is really an effort! But such poems are called ambiguous. I like clarity of thought along with mystery. The Lady of the Shallot comes to my mind right now. It has both the elements.

      5. Yes. Tennyson is a favorite of mine too. Did you notice that he writes in mostly eight syllable lines in this poem? I’ve started checking the Poet Greats, and I’ve found the syllable count between 7-9 syllables per line. How interesting.

      6. I didn’t notice that! Thanks for the pointer. We were taught this poem in a literature class and the impressions are still fresh…of the poem as well as the professor!

      7. I read an article not long ago that pointed out most poetry is written in syllables. I never saw it before until I started checking. Many of the Great poets wrote free verse which is actually using a form with syllables and end-rhymes.

    1. Thank you Diana, I am glad I could carry the tone of this beautiful painting into my words. It is actually the art that breathes life into this poem.

  11. Balroop, you have surpassed yourself with these two stunning poems! Both wonderfully striking, incredibly visual and vivid – as the lady of snow walks with élan, you write with élan. The harmony and peace are all pervasive and like snow, your words fall gently upon the reader. Two lines stand out for me:

    ‘to gather the beams of morning sun,
    to savor the silence of winter morn, ‘

    May we all learn to start the morn in such tranquillity! xx

    1. Many thanks for such lovely words of appreciation Annika. They sound like music to my ears. I am delighted that these poems appear vivid and visual. Yes, we need to begin our days with such tranquility. Love and hugs.

  15. Beautiful poem, I’m in awe as a learner In syllabic poetry that you could write so much. I’m still grappling with 5/7/5

  16. Such beauty and vivid imagery in your words, Balroop, that pair perfectly with the painting. I could literally feel and relate to these lines:
    to gather the beams of morning sun,
    to savor the silence of winter morn,
    to borrow beauty from mother nature.
    Lovely response.

  20. This is such a creative poem, Balroop. So imaginative and you brought a simple, single moment alive and something to savour. The lady of snow sounds like she is so aware of her senses and what’s around her, and intentional about where she is headed. Great writing as usual. Hope all is well with you 🙂

    1. Thank you Mabel for a lovely interpretation of this poem. You always delve deeper to understand the emotions within the words. Have a wonderful week.

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