Malabika Ray Choudhury Poet Ekphrasis

Notes About The Poem

 

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Poem edited on April 5, 2024

The Sick Child - Art By Edvard Munch

Inspired by “The Sick Child” painting by Edvard Munch

A pale face, all happiness drained out! 
green and auburn lines - vertical and horizontal, 
swirl around her in abundance,
except her face... devoid of any colour!
A drooping dried flower almost ready to fall,
             return to the soil!

Feeble and declining - from exhaustion,
ailing and haunted - her expression! 
A young girl of fifteen…bedridden for many months!
disease has crippled her, lying in bed she hopelessly 
gazing towards an ominous white curtain... 
             a symbol of death!
clutching hands of a woman for comfort,
who can not look at her knowing it's all futile.

Her eyes have lost the lustre and hope they once possessed,
chestnut russet hair encircling the fatigued face of a maiden, 
who once was a bubbling cheerful child,
Disease ravaged a budding flower!
          The final moment has come!

                    PLACED FIFTH


All colours of lustre and hope drained from a young face, 
She wears green....
Green and auburn lines playfully swirl around her…but,
Disease has crippled her for many months, 
She clutches hands of her mother, when her eyes are vacant, 
Chestnut russet hair encircling the fatigued face of a fifteen year old!

Final moment has come…
A white ominous curtain is all she gazes at…
A drooping flower, ready to fall!

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I Am Anaya July 22, 2023 at 9:56 AM Your descriptions scream about the hopelessness, a woman's long grief-stricken moments for the beloved girl. Emotive Malabika! Congratulations on your win!

John Watt July 18, 2023 at 12:28 AM Mala, you have depicted this scene so well with great compassion and emotive artistry. The fatigue, the hopelessness, the powerlessness to change her sad fate. Such a contrast with the youthful hope and vigor she once knew - "Her eyes have lost the lustre and hope they once possessed". So touching. Congratulations for your win ~ John Malabika Ray Choudhury July 18, 2023 at 7:20 AM Thank you so much, John. I love to read your thoughtful, encouraging comments - and appreciate your kindness. I enjoy writing in Ekphrasis poetic form, probably because I like painting myself, and try to understand these classic art pieces. Congratulations on your poem being on top of the "hundred popular poem" list. Warm wishes ~ Mala

Christuraj Alex July 14, 2023 at 6:49 PM You have done a very touching painting of the scene with well-selected words and feelings. "A drooping dried flower almost ready to fall, return to the soil!" - Congratulations! Malabika Ray Choudhury July 18, 2023 at 7:16 AM Dear Chris, Thanks so much for your thoughtful, encouraging words. Your brilliant poems inspire me with many different perspectives.

Beryl Edmonds July 1, 2023 at 6:51 PM A marvellous story/poem Mala, that is perfectly fitting for the painting of “The Sick Child” painted by Edvard Munch. All the best… Belle Malabika Ray Choudhury July 5, 2023 at 5:34 AM Thank you, Dear Belle. This was a great opportunity to learn about Edvard Munch's memorable paintings. appreciate your kind comment.

Valsa George June 28, 2023 at 9:28 PM This speaks volumes of the painting ! The white curtain symbolizing death is gioing to be drawn on her very soon. (Only now I noticed the white curtain) Very poignant. An excellent ekphrasis, dear Mala. Malabika Ray Choudhury July 5, 2023 at 5:32 AM Thank you, Dear Valsa. I learned so much about Edvard Munch's paintings while writing this poem! Truly appreciate your visit and thoughtful words.

Paul Callus June 22, 2023 at 4:39 AM This is beautiful and yet so sad that the reader finds it hard to keep back tears. The woman does not have the courage to look her in the eyes...how can one encourage when her face gives her away! Life can be so cruel :( ~ Best regards to you, Mala // paul Malabika Ray Choudhury June 22, 2023 at 7:02 AM Thank you, Paul, for reading this poem. It is truly a sad picture - probably you already know - the girl is artist's own sister who passed away from tuberculosis when she was fifteen. Edvard Munch has painted this picture many times throughout his life. Appreciate your visit, Paul. Best wishes ~ Mala

Panagiota Romios June 21, 2023 at 12:34 PM Malia,a stunning and emotive write, there are children like this. I loved so many of your descriptive lines that painted a most memorable reality.. Your poem also reminded me to be grateful for my health and the many decades God blessed me with. Panagiota Malabika Ray Choudhury June 22, 2023 at 6:58 AM Thank you for reading this, Dear Pangie. This painting has touched my heart. The artist painted it many times - a picture of his sister, who passed away from tuberculosis when she was fifteen!