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The Curious Creative: Week 27


This is the twenty-seventh installment of The Curious Creative, weekly 10-minute writing exercises for busy individuals interested in exploring their creativity. For the complete rationale, click here.


An ekphrasis is a written description or commentary on a visual work of art. Writers have long been using visual art as inspiration for poetry and prose. “One of the earliest and most commonly cited forms of ekphrasis occurs in The Iliad, when Homer provides a long and discursive account of the elaborate scenes embossed on the shield of Achilles” (Merriam-Webster). Many literary journals host ekphrasis contests, and some are even devoted entirely to ekphrases. Currently, Rattle, is hosting a monthly contest. They provide the artwork; you provide the poem.
 How did you do? Did spending time observing the painting bring your mind to a different state? More relaxed, focused, imaginative? Did the painting encourage a new voice to emerge in your writing?