Cold blows the wind from east to west
and far it seems, so very far
the home where we may take our rest
like some receding star
I have on this thin dress, bare rags,
the babe bound to my back
I pray is warm, and safe and snug
and feels the heat I lack
My eldest, bent against the wind,
her flimsy hat held tight
against the cold, she walks behind
headlong into the fight
With untamed nature, who seeks not
to taunt with wind and cold
but rather, sings above, aloft
that she may be so bold
And swift as night, the clouds do part,
reveal a ray of sun:
through thaws of March, the heat we seek
has still a way to come.
© 2022 experimentsinfiction.com. All Rights Reserved.
Written for dVerse
Tonight, Merril hosts Poetics, and has given us a choice of four paintings to use as the basis of an ekphrastic poem, all inspired by the month of March. I chose ‘Cauld Blaws the Wind Frae East to West‘ by Joseph Farquharson (1888) for two reasons: firstly, the landscape, though obviously (by the title) in Scotland, reminded me very much of my beloved Lake District, and secondly, the title itself sounds like the opening line of a ballad, so this is what I wrote. I anglicised the title, as I didn’t fancy the added challenge of writing the entire poem in Scottish dialect…
That image is so stark and sad, but I also saw the hope in that ray of light… maybe something better can be found just over the hill…
I do hope so!
what a simply lovely read with the rhythm and rhyme – captures the essence of this painting so well
“the home where we may take our rest
like some receding star”
Thank you Laura!
Your ballad style fits so well this nineteenth-century painting. I could see them matched together in a book of the time. Like Björn, I like the bit of hope you offer despite the bleakness of the image.
Thank you, Merril, the painting did inspire me!
You’re welcome. I’m so glad it did!
Oh my heart this is beautifully poignant, Ingrid! I can picture the “eldest, bent against the wind, her flimsy hat held tight against the cold.”💝💝
Thank you Sanaa 💖
You have found the perfect balance between painting and poetic. Your rhyme scheme does suit a ballad very well. I, too, thought the landscape could be highlands.
Thanks Glenn, glad you enjoyed!
What a sad and dreary tale. I hope they make it out against the wind, against the cold, into the warmth of the sun.
Thank you, Grace, so do I!
bring on the warmth of the sun. beuatfally written.
Thanks Rog!
Your ekphratic is so relevant and timely. Its speaks from the refugee’s heart. Nice one
much love…
Thank you Gillena! 💖
Beautifully wrought and moving – I too hope that warmth isn’t far off for all those that hope for a better tomorrow.
Thank you 🙏
Oh my, so well expressed!
Thank you 🙏
Your words put me right there in the painting, a timely read. 💓
Thanks Tricia 💕
Welcome! 💓
A gorgeous interpretation of the painting, Ingrid …..
Thanks Helen 😊
Ingrid you made me feel the shivers those in the painting were feeling. I’m glad the sun finally broke through for them.
Thanks Lisa: so am I!
You’re welcome.
The ballad form is perfect for this painting. I too like that you saw hope here. (K)
Thank you Kerfe: I’m trying!
Beautiful meter and comfortable rhyme Ingrid! Solid to the form. Wonderful!
I’m glad you enjoyed, Rob, thank you!
Beautifully written Ingrid.
Thank you Dwight 🙏
You are welcome!
Such a striking piece. I love the resilience brought out
Thanks Lamittan!
Welcome, Ingrid.
Stunning write Ingrid. Such imagery I imagined watching a BBC production. ☺️💕
That’s a lovely thing to say, Christine, thank you!
Oh, Ingrid, what a splendid masterpiece you crafted out of this photo. I adore it.
At the “the babe bound to my back
I pray is warm, and safe and snug
and feels the heat I lack” I swallowed a sigh. I felt it. Oh my, excellence personified her. Thank you.
Thank you for your wonderful compliment Selma! 💖
Wow the painting came alive with your absolutely wonderful poetry!! So many details and emotions became in the image as I read along.
I am so glad it spoke to you 😊
What a gorgeous poem, Ingrid, which speaks to me of the coming spring. I’m ready…😁
Me too! Thanks Jeff 😊
You’re most welcome, Ingrid. Always! ☺️
I am so starstruck by this. Ingrid. wow
Thank you Jude 😊
Beautifully written Ingrid – the rhythm and language are perfect for the painting.
Thank you Marion 🙏
You made the beautiful but bleak painting glow softly with subdued rays of hope. Beautiful, moving verse, Ingrid. ❤️
What a beautiful comment, Punam, thank you! 💖
Your poetry always speaks to me. My pleasure. 🥰
So many years on and children with their mothers are still trudging through the mud.
It would seem so, sadly.
It feels like the people in the picture are trudging along to the rhythm you’ve put in the poem. Excellent.
Thank you Hobbo!
Always very welcome Ingrid.
So poignant and so true, Ingrid. Both your verse and the painting speak acutely of the now. I love the final uplifting stanza 🙂
Thanks Sunra: I tried to add a gleam of hope!
So beautifully written. I love “the heat we seek has still a way to come”
Thank you Mary: let’s hope it reaches us soon!
😍 I love this piece! Beautifully penned <3
Thank you 🥰
You gave the painting an almost tangible and urgent despondency, with your trademark rhythm, and flow…the verse rises to an absolute pinacle by the 3rd stanza…stunning…and what a line.. ‘and feels the heat I lack…”
Thank you for your kind words, Ain!
beautiful poem Ingrid. 💖
Thank you Cindy 💕
💕❤️😎
Beautifully written. So many moms, babes and children on the move right now. Horrifying.
A timely, lovely poem, Ingrid. <3 A tribute to the human spirit!
I trust it does endure! ❤️
I love the feeling you experienced when looking at this painting. A lovely poem!
Thank you!
With a shiver, I imagine that many Ukrainian people are feeling this too. Well-written, Ingrid! You really had me in this scenery you created.
More so than me, for sure: but the image haunts me and I think of my own children.
Yes, our protective urges come out.
Extraordinarily beautiful and fits perfectly with the picture. Can feel the wind and the yearning for warmth through your words. 😊
Thank you so much! 😊
You are most kindly welcome! 😊
You do such justice to this brave little family and to a sad and splendid work of art. Truly beautiful. I adore ballads when so well done as you have here.
Thank you: I am a fan of lyrical poetry 😊