Kluski (pronounced klooh-ski, with a short “oo” as in book) are a dumpling, and were one of my favourite dishes. My mother mixed the dough; then would scoop the mixture with a tablespoon and simply slip it, from the spoon,…
art
The Kitchen Servants – A Poem
There’s more going on in this painting than at first appears. From The Met description: “Sorgh inflects a domestic scene with the art of still life. Two maids clean fish and peel vegetables in the foreground, surrounded by gleaming brass…
The Cabbage Gatherers – A Poem
According to The Met, this is one of many fans painted by Pissarro, intended for a special fan room at an 1879 Impressionist exhibition (more in source link below). I love that Pissarro chose to dignify the work of the…
Larsson House – A Poem
My poem Larsson House is a little different to my usual ekphrastic poetry. You probably recognise the style of Swedish painter, Carl Larsson (1853-1919), as many of his children’s illustrations are still around. A painter of the Arts and Crafts…
The Fair – A Poem
The Fair Drums.Dance.Monkey.Paris dreamsIn evening haze.He offers Eve a ripened pearand couples everywhere turn to each other and kiss. ©elsp 2025 If you’re interested in the form of the poem, it’s a Fib. More on Fibonacci poetry here. More of…
Struggling To Be Seen – A Poem
According to Art Institute Chicago, Cézanne painted over “at least three other pieces of fruit (presumably oranges) at lower left and near the vase attest to the artist’s changing opinion as he struggled to make the arrangement work“. You can…
Peasants Eat Herring – A Poem
This drawing reached out to me across three-hundred years. It, in turn, took me back in time in memory. I love that these journeys are happening as a result of my decision to commit to this ekphrastic poetry series. Too…
Still Life with Bottles and Fruit – A Poem
Alexej von Jawlensky was an expressionist. Expressionist artists strive “to convey their inner emotions and thoughts via their works, frequently using distorted forms, vibrant colors, and vigorous brushstrokes to establish their own visual language.” – Sparks Gallery You may not…
Still Life with Mustard Pot – A Poem
Mustard goes back thousands of years, with references in ancient Indian, Sumerian, Greek and Roman texts, and in the Bible. If you’re a mustard fan, here’s a brief history and a summary of different mustard types. I was struck by…
Contemplation – A Poem
Analysis has shown that originally this painting had a glowing orange sunset. That was part of the inspiration for this poem. Beyond that, I found the colours, the body language, even the weight of the pumpkin tranquil. I can smell…
Strawberries, Nuts, &c. – A Poem
Riddle Me This How is it possible –Orange, so fresh the leaf is intactRuby-red strawberries that if wild would collapseTogether with nuts and raisins, to beIn the same still life in a nineteenth centuryComposition? What, summer and winter?Unless, if not…
Beyond the Fireplace – A Poem
If you follow the source link in the caption below the image, you’ll discover that this painting was used as a screen in a fireplace. The idea was to make it look like there was another room beyond the hearth….
