Debbie Guzzi Poet Ekphrasis

Notes About The Poem

After: The Blue Cat by Pamela Colman Smith 1907

The Guardian At the Gate

Spawn of the arcane, glutted, she sprawls upon the sands 
of mythos. As victims, star-crossed lovers, outcasts,
we have all seen the traces of these nether lands.
Sphinx-like, besotted, she lays among the bodies dashed.

A pixie smith has cast her silver chains, retained her
inside this mystic plane, stained her hide vintage rose.
Among the cards on the table, it is plain; she purrs.
Do you know what she knows; guess, a riddle she poses.

Protection sought from life's trials is at her command.
But, few coupled or single have journey past her grasp.
Unknown, to the unschooled, their senses unused, banned,
Christendom, the sacred fecund grail has miscast.

From Hatshepsut's visage, bound to Sekhmet she's sworn
beware, beware The Chariot's card once it is drawn.

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Debbie Duncan May 28, 2017 at 5:25 PM I love this mystical poem :) 10 and more.

Freddie Robinson Jr. November 23, 2016 at 1:27 AM I really like the poem, Debbie. Very conscious elevating prose. I was intellectually challenged reading it. The poets/poetesses' comment helped me to understand your poem better. I was intrigued because of the title. I have a poem w/the same title in my poetry archive. I haven't posted it on PSoup though. It's a science fiction poem. Again, a very good poem w/great depth of meaning. The painting, I could take or leave it. Either way. Love and peace to you from RW (Romantic Warrior.) Debbie Guzzi November 23, 2016 at 7:15 AM Thanks Freddie - the art was difficult to work with!

Robert Lindley April 30, 2016 at 7:53 PM BACK AGAIN TO READ THIS JEWEL. Adding this to my fav list to remind me to read often. Loved the reference to Sekhmet, "bound to Sekhmet she's sworn"

Richard Lamoureux March 30, 2016 at 6:03 PM I found your poem to b more intriguing than the painting. You do have a way with words: Debbie Guzzi March 30, 2016 at 7:52 PM Thanks Richard!

John Fleming March 20, 2016 at 2:34 PM I consider this to be an excellent piece of poetry - I loved every word of it! Nicely penned, Debbie. My best regards. :) john P.s An obvious seven.

Robert Lindley February 18, 2016 at 11:48 AM Truly great poem on my favorite of the paintings in the 10/10/10 challenge. Also my favorite of the ten I wrote was written inspired by this great painting. Definitely top shelf poetry. I hope you publish it my friend.. a7 Debbie Guzzi February 18, 2016 at 3:33 PM It has been published on Ekphastic :writing on Art :)

Kp Nunez February 5, 2016 at 11:04 AM Glad to have enjoyed this again, Deb. :-) I think Paul has captured most of it. One thing I've noticed in your ekphrasis, you write them in such a way that the poem is more beautiful than the painting itself :-) Also found out that from the hundreds of her paintings, this is among the few which were never sold and remained with Steiglitz. :-) Debbie Guzzi February 5, 2016 at 11:43 AM Yes no one seemed to notice I picked all woman artists encouraged by Steiglitz EXCEPT you! good for you Kim

Charles Henderson January 31, 2016 at 9:35 PM It's a very well written piece you came up with from this painting Deb. I have heard the name a lot of times but never saw it before. Haven't written much myself today. Well, a couple earlier, but am trying to do some payback for all my wonderful comments.

Paul Callus January 31, 2016 at 8:18 AM Hi Debbie...this isn't quite my type of painting; I much prefer your interpretation of it! I looked up Pamela Colman Smith and realized why you made reference to the 'pixie smith'; also throws light on tarot cards, especially The Chariot which includes 'Sphinx-like' figures (thus reference to the female pharaoh, Hatshepsut and the goddess Sekhmet). As usual, your poems are not to be taken lightly, and every word counts. ~ Warm regards // paul Debbie Guzzi January 31, 2016 at 8:20 AM if we can't learn something from what we read-I always feel like "Why bother reading it!" art [which poetry is] should be a growth experience, I am so happy you got so much from the verse!