Laurentine G Poet Ekphrasis

da Vinci - study of skull

I'm lost in there
     battered between form and function 
  existing in the guesswork 
       institutionalised by containment 
    figured out on the block 
             measured by what takes up space

every layer perfectly in place
   to provide freedom to conform 

I merge and merge again
despite being part of no plan 
      unstoppable in my inexplicable existence  

    tip out my untapped potential 
       lay me on the table
         busy yourself with dissection 
         broken up into components
       I can do no more
   cannot be put back together

an empty head
with no view of itself
an offered up cadaver 
         any day of the week

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Sara Kendrick March 6, 2026 at 1:07 PM Congratulations on your winning work in Brian's contest. Way to go. Sara K Laurentine G March 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM Many thanks Sara, it's kind of you to stop by with your well wishes :)

David Kavanagh March 1, 2026 at 12:12 PM You are absolutely fearless Laurentine when it comes to dissecting any print/painting/sculpture for your Ekphrasis, I have no idea how you see/imagine and bring to life an empty head, maybe there’s a clue in (tipping out your untapped potential) yeah that’s got to be it! Incredible piece of reanimating poetry, cheers David David Kavanagh March 1, 2026 at 12:35 PM Haha, I do indeed have an open mind, and am fascinated by the human brain, can’t beat a bit of improv, to produce the best surreal hilarity, (who’s line is it anyway) over to you :) Laurentine G March 1, 2026 at 12:26 PM I'm trying to be fearless David - just watched some improv today and was thinking how trusting the subconscious is pretty mind bending but produces amazing content, I try to freewheel by design :) thanks for diving into my poems with such an open mind - (haha in reality there I just thought about open mind/skulls and said "brains" quietly in a zombie voice - just typing it out long hand here so you don't miss out on the hilarity lol) :)