There’s a long tradition of poetry being inspired by painting and other fine arts. One of W.H. Auden’s most famous poems, Musée des Beaux Arts, is inspired by 16th-century Bruegel paintings.
Much like haiku and tanka, Japanese art tends to be spare and open. The Metropolitan Museum of Art maintains an extensive online archive of traditional and contemporary Japanese art. Does one of these pieces speak to you? Perhaps the abstract symbols embroidered on a satin costume or the persimmon tree inked on a folding screen. Is it the evocative Butterfly Stool that beckons?
Our Turn
Tell the story of a piece from the Met’s collection using the point of view of the painter or printmaker or potter, and let the specific vocabulary of the craft inform your tanka. Or, speak as if you are the painting itself. Remember, we are aiming for 5 lines, 31 syllables, and a twist!
Featured Poem
Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s poetry prompt. Here’s a poem we enjoyed from Sandra Heska King:
The old pond, aye!
And the sound of a frog
leaping into the water.
The sight of a blue heron
banking on breakfast. Swim, frog!
–Sandra Heska King and Matsuo Basho
Photo by Nathalie, Creative Commons, via Flickr. Post by Kortney Garrison.
____________
Check out our patron-only publishing opportunities!
- Poetry Prompt: Fireworks, Sparkles & Speckles - July 2, 2018
- Writing Prompt: Science Fiction and Ecopoetry - June 25, 2018
- Poetry Prompt: Science Fiction with Ray Bradbury - June 18, 2018
Sandra Heska King says
Oh, fun! Basho and I thank you for sharing our lines. 😉
This prompt looks like fun, too.
Kortney Garrison says
Thanks for writing along with us! Your words are a gift we are honored to receive.
Donna Falcone says
Sandra, I love that… banking on breakfast! 😉
Rick Maxson says
A fun tanka, Sandra.
Rick Maxson says
Here’s one on Sakai Hōitsu’s Persimmon Tree screen.
The Persimmon tree,
beyond it an obscure sky,
a beautiful screen.
Beyond these a mystery
awaits the courageous eye.
Kortney Garrison says
LOVE the description of the obscure sky as a beautiful screen, Rick! So much is contained in that image! Lovely compression!
Rick Maxson says
Thank you, Kortney.
lynn says
I like Sandra’s frog tanka! I chose the Persimmon Tree too:
https://madhatterpoetry.com/2018/05/14/tarashikomi-style/
Kortney Garrison says
What a way to introduce your poem, Lynn! “Tweetspeak poets at the MET Japanese art exhibit…” Can you imagine the fun we’d have there together?
So glad to read your lines: the mottled ink and red-orange ripe and your monk full of desire! Now, I’m going to have to find fuya persimmons to try!
lynn says
Glad you liked it, Kortney! And thanks for leading our virtual visit to the MET 🙂
Katie says
leaves of tree and grass
curl, gold sky on autumn day
tree trunk leans over
bending in the wind of fall
painting and poetry
Kortney Garrison says
Lovely, Katie! Is this inspired by the persimmon tree screen as well?
Katie says
Thank you, Kortney! Yes it is.
Here are a haiku, cinquain and tanka all inspired by our time in St. Louis last weekend for a neice’s wedding:)
Gateway to the West
reaching high and bending low
Arch of stainless steel.
***
St. Lou
Your arch shimmers
curving up and over
Down again to the land below
Gateway.
***
groom, best man, father
await; bridesmaids descend hill
Jeff spots Lindsay, cries.
Notes play, family and guests
witness the joining of lives.
Kortney Garrison says
Reaching high and bending low–a perfect line!
Monica Sharman says
I picked the Shōin Room:
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/shoin_room/
Translucent entrance.
Segmented golden art points:
see this space for you?
Alcove and tatami wait.
Outside, bare feet hesitate.
Bethany R. says
Love this, Monica, and enjoyed reading this post and all the comments and poems too. Tea cup cheers to you all, sweet Tweetspeak Poetry community. 🙂
Kortney Garrison says
So much anticipation here! And that alcove! Thanks for sharing your poem, Monica.
Laura Lynn Brown says
An earthbound persimmon tree
leans toward its lonely windbent goal:
Cross the divide,
straighten sunward,
bear fruit before the exit.