Have you ever stood before a painting and felt a poem rising in your chest? That’s the essence of ekphrastic poetry—writing that responds to a work of visual art. It’s a creative conversation between two mediums, where a poem brings new life to a sculpture, photograph, painting, or even a film still. At its core, ekphrasis is about slowing down, observing deeply, and translating what you see into what you feel.
What Is Ekphrastic Poetry?
The word ekphrasis comes from the Greek “ek” (out) and “phrasis” (speak)—it literally means “to speak out.” In literature, it refers to a vivid description of a visual work of art. But in poetry, it often goes beyond description: it interprets, imagines, and reimagines.
Famous examples date back to Homer’s description of Achilles' shield in The Iliad, but the form is alive and thriving today in contemporary poetry.
Why Write Ekphrastic Poetry?
- Fresh Inspiration: Sometimes the muse needs a nudge. Art can spark surprising metaphors or emotions you didn’t expect.
- Close Observation: Writing about art slows you down and sharpens your attention to detail.
- Emotional Dialogue: Ekphrasis isn’t just about what the artwork looks like—it’s about what it makes you feel, remember, or imagine.
- Creative Constraints: Working from a visual stimulus can give you structure, direction, and focus.
Examples of Ekphrastic Poetry
1. W.H. Auden – “Musée des Beaux Arts”
Inspired by Bruegel’s Landscape with the Fall of Icarus, this poem reflects on how life continues even when tragedy occurs.
“About suffering they were never wrong, The Old Masters: how well they understood Its human position…”
2. Natasha Trethewey – “Photograph: Ice Storm, 1971”
This poem responds to a haunting photo of the poet as a child, exploring race, memory, and the meaning of a moment frozen in time.
3. Rainer Maria Rilke – “Archaic Torso of Apollo”
Looking at a broken statue, Rilke ends with the unforgettable line: “You must change your life.” That’s the power of art.
How to Write an Ekphrastic Poem
Step 1: Choose Your Artwork
Pick something that moves you. It could be a famous painting like Van Gogh’s Starry Night, a photograph from your family album, or even a sculpture in your local park.
Step 2: Look Closely
Spend time with the piece. Notice the colors, lines, shadows, emotions, and any narrative implied. Ask:
- What’s happening in this image?
- What emotions does it stir?
- What stories could it hold?
Step 3: Let Emotion Lead
Don’t just describe—react. What memories or questions rise up as you look? Let your own story thread into the scene.
Step 4: Write Freely
You can write:
- From the perspective of someone in the painting.
- As a letter to the artist.
- As a scene that continues or reinterprets the artwork.
Step 5: Revise and Refine
Shape your poem. Does it flow? Does it honor both your voice and the spirit of the artwork?
Poetry Prompt: Ekphrasis in Action
Choose one of these artworks (or select your own), and write a poem that responds to it:
- The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí
- Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer
- A personal photo that evokes strong emotion or mystery.
- A sculpture or mural in your town.
- A black-and-white photo from a history archive.
Optional Structure Challenge:
Write your ekphrastic poem in one of the following forms:
- Pantoum – For a meditative, looping feel.
- Sonnet – To capture classical beauty or tension.
- Free verse – To explore the emotional layers without restraint.
Final Thoughts
Ekphrastic poetry is an act of translation—from image to language, from silence to sound. It deepens your engagement with both art and language. More than that, it invites your voice into a centuries-old conversation between artists and poets.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” – Thomas Merton
So go to a gallery, open a book of photographs, or scroll through your phone—and let your next poem be a mirror held up to art itself.