Because I am an overachiever, I decided to extend my Ekphrastic poems into the month of May. I have never attempted to translate the emotion from paintings, drawings, sculptures, or other visual works of art into words. The challenge will require me to dig deep to tap into the passions such works of art create inside a person. Most of what I write will be speculative. There will be times when I will place myself into the mind of the artist. Still other times, I will express the emotions I experience gazing at the work of art. If I get creative, I might even tell the story from an element within the artwork. This Ekphrastic poem is based on an artist instead of a painting. He is one of my favorites. I called this poem Dr. Bob.
Dr. Bob
It wouldn’t be right for my Ekphrastic poems to end,
With out a mention of a New Orleans folk art legend.
If you ever find yourself in the Bywater on Chartes Street,
And notice a fence guarding a pile of junk stacked neat.
Don’t pass a quick judgement about what’s scattered there,
Or mumble a harsh opinion about the artist messy lair.
A closer look and you will find,
Paintings that will blow your mind.
Blue dogs, purple alligators, jazz hands, and juke joints,
Only a few prominent artistic points.
Bottle caps repurposed and glued to the frame,
If not for the bayou the pictures wouldn’t be the same.
If you’re still a critic, Dr. Bob has something up his sleeve,
The sign on the door reads, “Be nice or leave.”
Who is Molly Shea?
Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh. To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.
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