Last Poetry Assignment: Ekphrasis

Our last assignment is to write an ekphrasis, or a verbal rendition of something visual, usually art. I chose Frida Kahlo's first self-portrait, featured below. Click on the portrait if you'd like to learn more about this piece.


Persuasion
by Stephanie McLellan

Who was it that said we should not

Suppose that beauty is goodness?

Your dewy, amber eyes disagree.

The youth in your hand quivers.

Fingertips tender to touch, but hurried,

Sliding under straps, tugging until it falls.

"Listen", you say, while shrugging on that

Tattered shirt, nearly buttonless by now.

I never should have listened.

There is goodness in this beauty.

Vanish. Disappear. Run if you must.
These sweeping, sloping lines will draw
Your eyes upon me once more.

There is goodness in us.