Sotto Poet Poet Ekphrasis

Notes About The Poem

Ekphrasis - The Birthday

Written: July 8, 2026, for a contest sponsored by Brian Strand         

***Instead of simply describing the visual of Chaggal Birthday Work of Art, this Ekphrasis poem reacts to and interprets the painting's emotional and symbolic significance.

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Ekphrasis: The Birthday

Love unfastens
the ordinary.

A room remains a room
until joy bends its own bones,
and suddenly
the body believes
it was always meant
to fly.

Your kiss
is not an ending,
but an axis—
around which walls,
windows,
and waking
quietly revolve.

Gravity grows gentle,
its stern syllables
softened by surrender.

I look,
and the painting
looks back—

teaching me
that devotion
is the only miracle

that leaves the earth

without ever leaving it.

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sara Etgen-Baker July 13, 2026 at 3:14 PM these words truly captivated me: I look, and the painting looks back— teaching me that devotion is the only miracle that leaves the earth without ever leaving it. another wow!

Paige Hind July 13, 2026 at 2:45 AM breathtaking, Sotto, your work is also its own art :)

Valsa George July 8, 2026 at 8:55 PM Excellent! Love this. The very opening stanza represents the spirit of the painting. Beautifully done. Into my FAVE.

sara Etgen-Baker July 8, 2026 at 4:28 PM your ability to write an impactful ekphrasis is outstanding....your interpretations are spot on...I especially liked these words: I look, and the painting looks back— teaching me that devotion is the only miracle that leaves the earth without ever leaving it. Wow!

Paula Goldsmith July 8, 2026 at 8:22 AM What a wonderful write you have here. "Good Luck" Have a wonderful day writing away...................