Even the Water
An Ekphrastic Sonnet
By D. J. ReddallPublished about a year ago • Updated about a year ago • 1 min read
Arnold Böcklin, "The Return Home," 1887
Even the water wants to preserve this
Reflection is its blind way of painting;
The world can be a frightened, dumb abyss
In which seeming is confused with being
But yonder window glows with knowing light
Before too long, you will not be looked at
But seen, and understood with warm delight
Perhaps acknowledged by the haughty cat
For you have been away, among the they
A sign illegible, not a symbol
What it was like for you to be, this day
The throng cared less than would fill a thimble
But home you are, and the water knows well
That home aches for the tale you have to tell
About the Creator
D. J. Reddall
I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.
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Comments (6)
Gosh this was so beautifully presented! I loved your poem so much!
Beautiful work
"Reflection is its blind way of painting" is such a magnificent line. Your writing is just spectacular!
Please forgive the needless repetition of the artist's first name in the subtitle.
You've created a story from this in a sonnet! Deftly done. Something about this really touched me, not emotionally but at the core of me nonetheless. It's that moment before meeting a past life, I think, where you're not one thing or the other. You've been shaped by where you've been but you're returning to where you're known as something different again. Deftly done! (Needed repeating)
The return home signifies a restoration of purpose and belonging, suggesting that sharing our experiences is a vital part of healing and reconnection. It’s a beautiful exploration, love this! 💌