Ekphrastic Challenge, August 2015: Editor’s Choice
Photo by Howard R. Debs. Used by permission, Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation. “Offering” was written by Arnold Perrin for Rattle’s Ekphrastic Challenge, August 2015, and selected as the Editor’s Choice winner.
Comment from the editor on this selection: “In just eight lines this little poem seems to honor and conjure the ghosts of what the ice house used to mean—both winter itself as a time capsule, and a last prayer for the end of summer’s heat. It was a sentiment many poems tried to capture, but none as concisely or musically.”
Ekphrastic Challenge, August 2015: Artist’s Choice
Image by Howard R. Debs. Used by permission, Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation. “Ice House” was written by Ann Giard-Chase for Rattle’s Ekphrastic Challenge, August 2015, and selected by Debs as the Artist’s Choice winner.
Comment from the artist, Howard R. Debs, on his selection: “For me this poem is the one that best evokes the spirit of the pictorial presented; it is technically well written, the poetics, construction, language usage, literary devices, etc. all support the narrative which stretches the ‘canvas’ of the visual to rightfully claim the designation, contemporary ekphrastic poem. For those interested, in my just published article, you can read more about the merit of contemporary ekphrasis, the ‘how to’ aspects for those unacquainted with or just starting to work in this genre, as well as consider my apologia putting forth an argument for multi-media in the internet age. Besides Ann’s poem, without being modest, another good example of the ‘new’ ekphrasis I champion may be found in a published essay of mine which concludes with an ekphrastic poem trilogy. Have a look, then ‘challenge’ yourself to try your own hand at this art form by participating in this forum.”