Summer workshop with YWP Intern Sam Aikman

What is ekphrastic poetry?

An ekphrastic poem describes or is inspired by a work of art. According to the Poetry Foundation, “ekphrasis” derives from the Greek word for “description;” this is fitting because ekphrastic poetry is often lively with vivid or dramatic scenes and images from the artwork. 

However, ekphrastic poetry doesn’t solely have to include description and it shouldn’t read like a report or essay. In some of my favorite examples (see list below) the author relates the description of the art to wider themes of personal or political struggles, memories, delights, or people in their lives. 

Read more about ekphrastic poetry on poets.org. 

Why write ekphrastic poetry? 

Ekphrastic poetry is a great way to practice writing vivid descriptions and explore your voice in a new exciting way. Poets often describe things around them, scenes from their lives, but it’s a unique practice to examine something singular and stationary, such as a painting or photograph. I find it’s a fun way to let loose my creative imagery and practice associations. I enjoy trying to describe something in a way I’ve never seen it described before. 

What are some examples?

• Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee… by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
• Everyday around the world a woman is pulled into blue by Krista Franklin
• Panic at John Baldessari’s Kiss by Elena Karina Byrne 
• Joseph Cornell, with Box by Michael Dumanis 
• Gentle Ascent by Sam Aikman

Things to try: 

• Pick a painting from The Met or Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza databases and write a poem inspired by it.
• Take a trip to a local art museum or gallery. Pick a piece that speaks to you and draft a poem while examining it. Check out this list of art museums in Vermont (scroll down) if you don’t know where to start. 
• Browse YWP’s collection of visual art, created by fellow young artists, and pick one to write about. 
• Explore your local library’s collection of art books! Pick a page at random and write a poem about the image there. 

Note: don’t forget to credit the artist of the piece you choose to write about! 

Header image: National Gallery. Photo by Sam Aikman, YWP Intern

Workshop created by Sam Aikman, YWP Intern

Find out more about Sam

Other workshops by Sam:

PROSE POETRY