This poem was written after one glance at Odilon Redon's "Mystery" and as part of the IGRT challenge by Hedgewitch to write an ekphrastic poem on one of Redon's works. The lamb in the poem is from both the painting and an experience shared with a dying loved-one who asked, "Who is that man over there?" When asked what man she meant, she pointed to blank space and said that man with the sheep." She was a lifelong Catholic. She "should have" seen a man with a glowing heart. She saw lambs. Mystery.
the final mystery
hanging on the wall
a man
a lamb
a cup
a man with a lamb in his hands
a man cradling a cup
like Lazarus, a man raised up
around my neck
upon my wall
that man
that plan
that mystery
She was with the Shepherd as she crossed the bar....this is uplifting..beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHauntingly beautiful and hopeful, and aptly named! as the mystery is that crossing, that Easter.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others, this is - in its somewhat ambiguous simplicity - really beautiful, and the kind of poem that gets the cogs in your brain (or at least mine) going! Great write!
ReplyDeleteyour friend was definitely in the hands of God at that moment. how beautiful the glimpses of God we see in others' passing. and what a wonderful tribute to both your friend and the ekphrastic poem. hope all is well. have a great day~
ReplyDeleteReally, I can't think of anything that could capture the mood of this picture more. A stellar response to the challenge--the sense of mystery--and of symbol--its power in our unconscious mind--is palpable--the sparse language only highlights the potency of the image of the man and sheep. It's interesting that I see a child on the figures' lap, and not a lamb, or is the lamb sort of lying at the bottom under the flowers?--that's the whole beauty of these paintings--they are ambiguous and glowing with their own secrets. Really well done, and thanks for participating.
ReplyDeleteReally outstanding work.
ReplyDeleteAs we move through this Lenten season to the eventual Easter Sunday, our Lord and Savior reaches out to us individually. Your poem has reached me at a moment when I was seeking a vision that explains the human mysteries we encounter daily. I particularly like your anecdote in which a vision links with the transition from this life to the next.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite images of Jesus...
ReplyDeleteA universal image of caring in this - thanks.
ReplyDeleteShe looked into mystery and left you with questions...beautiful piece.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a mystery how each person can see something different in a work of art. It's like looking at the sky full of clouds wherein we see a myriad of objects. A mystery. Beautiful poem to match the painting.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful mystery. I like your poem stripped down to essentials: man, lamb, cup. That's the heart of the mystery, isn't it? What an amazing experience too. I'm glad I got to read this. Thank you.
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This gave me gooseflesh (quite a feat in one who does not practice religion). There are mysteries that neither science nor logic can fathom - they belong to the realm of faith. Your poem hits the bull's eye in expressing the inexplicable.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see the lamb, I didn't see the chalice, I didn't see the glowing heart - and I'm a lifelong Catholic. Around my neck, upon my wall… I like this poem very much!
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