In France, the southern regions along the Mediterranean Coast are known colloquially as le Midi. It’s thought Renoir may have painted this still life somewhere in le Midi on his way to study classical paintings in Italy. There’s a more detailed look at the Renoir here.
In my Fruits of Midi villanelle, I took the liberty, in my mind, of expanding the le Midi definition to include the countries bordering the Mediterranean. I’d be happy to dine on fruits of midi in ANY of them ๐.
More on ekphastic poetry here. More of my ekphrastic poetry here. While I don’t aim for strict pentameter, more on the villanelle here.
And while we’re looking at Renoir’s eggplant (aubergine), why not look at a recipe that uses eggplant, too?
Fruits of the Midi
I yearn to dine on fruits of the midi,
where tapas fills the tables. Wine is plum.
I long for life, a haven place, in sun.
A dip of eggplant. Pomegranate seeds.
An olive. Pepper roasted sweet. Citron.
I yearn to dine on fruits of the midi.
A pebbled beach beneath a balcony,
a grape-vined courtyard peace, old iron rails spun.
I long for life, a haven place, in sun.
Where oranges like candy drip from trees;
where tomatoes vine-ripen red till done;
I yearn to dine on fruits of the midi.
To hear the flap of flags of boats at sea;
to witness climbing flowers blush crimson;
I long for life, a haven place, in sun.
Oh, love, can we return to beauty? Full
days free to laugh, to feast? New lives begun?
I yearn to dine on fruits of the midi.
I long for life, a haven place, in sun.
ยฉelsp 2026
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