Valsa George Poet Ekphrasis

Notes About The Poem

 

July- 15-2026

When Words Speaks for the Silence of Art Poetry Contest

Sponsor- Silent One

~ Placed Second~

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The Sick Child by Edvard Munch

Gloom pervades, an empty stillness hovers,
No sound, except the echo of faint sighs,
Rising from a frail chest.
Popped upon white pillows, a small girl reclines
On her sick bed, incapable of sitting up.
Her body down the waist, is wrapped
In a thick blanket to douse the chills of fever.

Consumption has eaten away her vitality
Her sick lungs gasps for breath
Her face, a white paper- pale and bland
Her golden hair lies disheveled.

A curtain hangs dull, half drawn
Waiting for the final pull.
The lady, her aunt who has been with the child
Through her tortuous journey,
Bends down clasping her frail hand
Unable to face the girl’s blank stare.

A yellowing leaf is about to take its downward spiral.
An unseen guest waits for the final embrace.
The faint stirring of life will soon desert her.
Yet love remains, a whiff of cool breeze,
Fanning her fears away with a gentle clasp.

In a critical moment of suffering and helplessness,
No medicine, but love alone serves as balm. 

Each blurred stroke unravels the silence,
Of art that speaks for itself~
Man’s vulnerability and hovering sorrow,
Of a life so enigmatic, cast in gloom’s shroud.

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Paula Goldsmith July 29, 2026 at 2:51 PM Congratulations.... WOW!!! I enjoyed reading this powerful write. What a Great picture you have here Enjoy your day writing away with your wonderful win..............

Silent One July 29, 2026 at 2:17 PM This poem is deeply moving and captures the heartbreaking reality of illness with great tenderness... I especially liked how the final stanza shifts from the child's suffering to the timeless message that art preserves these moments of human emotion.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest.. Valsa George July 29, 2026 at 10:26 PM Thank you so much dear Silent One for holding the contest. So honored by the placement given.

Andrea Dietrich July 20, 2026 at 11:24 PM Very nice descriptions of a dying girl and the setting of her last hours. You captured well the pictures essence. Was this for Silent Ones contest? Oh yes I see it was!

Paige Hind July 19, 2026 at 10:52 PM I like this artist's work- your take on this was beautiful, and gentle

Sotto Poet July 18, 2026 at 9:04 AM Wonderful interpretation of the art form; your work is breathtaking, Valsa. You see a tragic event portrayed in this piece of art. This contest submission is filled with emotion and expression. Good luck with the contest.

Kim Rodrigues July 18, 2026 at 5:47 AM No medicine, but love alone serves as balm…hard for our mortal minds, the thought of no cure, just the waiting…the girl who has surrendered to death and the aunt, already clinging to grief. Love the imagery and how you make us feel the sorrow and hopelessness of the moment. Hugs

Joanna Daniel July 16, 2026 at 10:31 PM Simply stunning work, Valsa, I love your take on the art:)

Joseph P. DiMino July 16, 2026 at 5:54 PM "Each blurred stroke unravels the silence, Of art that speaks for itself~ Man’s vulnerability and hovering sorrow, Of a life so enigmatic, cast in gloom’s shroud." -- a terrible illness. Resistant strains now emerging in the US. I often reference Mimi in La boheme. One of my favorite Operas.

Sara Kendrick July 16, 2026 at 10:16 AM Whoa!! A sad situation you perceive in this artwork. It is very expressive and emotive entry for the contest, which reads like a good contender to me. Way to go. Sara K.

Hiya Sharma July 16, 2026 at 7:37 AM Sigh.. this broke my heart a little dear Valsa.. as it's just a bit too resonating.. feels like a reflection of my life in some sense! Especially with that line.. "Her sick lungs gasps for breath Her face, a white paper- pale and bland Her golden hair lies disheveled" that's exactly me.. with asthma and chronic allergic bronchitis as I was a premature baby and my lungs are a lil weak. And I have been there, at the door of death, but by god's grace and my parents blessings, returned safely twice. I'm sorry got a bit emotional! But your poem is absolutely soul-stirring, my dearest poetess! You nailed the essence of the artwork and your language here is just brimming with poetic eloquence! I feel for the girl! "Each blurred stroke unravels the silence, Of art that speaks for itself~" oh this line.. truly this poem has become one of my favs from you! Thank you for sharing the art that your heart empathetically posseses and embraces ~ Valsa George July 16, 2026 at 9:30 PM I feel so glorified by your comment dear Hiya. At the same time I am deeply pained to know that as a child, you were suffering from serious life threatening ailments. Difficulty in breathing due to Asthmatic attack is so gruesome a situation. Along with you, your parents too must have undergone a lot of trauma. As a well wisher and friend, I can only pray for your better health. I too have gone through a lot of health hazards. Now in my old age, I enjoy better health. May God give health and cheer in the prime years of your life and the grace to pen exceptionally beautiful poems. Thanks for your lovely comment. Hiya Sharma July 16, 2026 at 7:39 AM Sending you lots of love, light and best wishes!