Ink Empress Poet Ekphrasis

Notes About The Poem

The soul of the Rose, John William Waterhouse

I am garnet Aphrodite,
        vampire rose ~
the huntress of halcyon
wrestling with love and limerence
bleeding for the soul and spirit
of smoke-kissed sepals
stretching towards the sky
drawing you in delicate dreams
lost in luscious light
    while these lips tremble
to taste the tight temperance
      of true temptation…

and in the ache of aloneness
      I still am fluent in 
the dialect of devotion
the sacred symphony
to serenade a shield-maiden saga
choosing inner battles
for I belong where
the balm of burning balance
blooms to the sound
of thriving thorns
     and murmuring myrtles...

I am not unstitched by silence
but tested by the trials
of wild-woven withdrawal ~ 
a sun-soaked sapphire
aligning the anguish
swirling through surging spells
connecting scattered
cosmic brushstrokes
to beautifully drape destiny
in pulsing pixels
   pigmented with Seijaku...

I place my fingers
along the charismatic chest
of soft fuchsia walls,
tracing the tints of tremors
climbing as addictive vines
amidst cold crevices
to reach my skin
sighing to be within the
     palms of patient passion

I will remain warmed
in the kaftan kismet
of a longing laced
in cobalt peacock promises
beaded with golden amulets
  carved with cursive cravings

we are the wishful flares ~
the world cannot fathom.
but in the starvation 
of collided touch
we do not phase ~ 
we fearlessly swell 
into the deathless space of faith
where the spring breeze
phrases our 
     initials in sunset mauve...

O fragrant field to my mind,
paint me within the
stirring sentiments of your spine...
I own your signature ~
starry-silver strength
braiding my henna-hued hair
into a universal bun 
      of beloved blissfulness…

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Andrea Dietrich July 21, 2026 at 2:51 PM Wow. Looks like you used some, if not all, if the beautiful prompts from the contest. I had no idea your contest was based on a poem inspired by this beautiful artwork .You have the most super creative mind, Sweetie. I missed this poem of yours somehow . Was it entered into a contest of Brian's maybe? Wonderful work

Daniel Henry Rodgers July 11, 2026 at 4:23 AM Dear Empress, this is breathtaking. You’ve taken Waterhouse’s ethereal Victorian romanticism and infused it with such raw, modern vitality; it’s as if you’ve reached through the oil paint to touch the very heartbeat of the subject. It’s truly a stunning piece of writing. Thank you for letting me step into this faved world with you. Blessings, Daniel

Karen Croft July 9, 2026 at 4:53 PM beautiful as always with your words!

Mike Bayles July 7, 2026 at 8:50 AM Great use of metaphor. I love the line, "wrestling with love and limerence."

Robert James Liguori July 6, 2026 at 1:04 PM ‘for I belong where the balm of burning balance blooms to the sound of thriving thorns and murmuring myrtles’… I think this bit of poetry as absolutely charming. Well played Ink.

Justin Bordner July 6, 2026 at 8:03 AM Continued...You have reached a new peak of excellence! You are a woman fully alive Poetess, and your poetry a paragon of supreme beauty. "the tight temperance of true temptation..." The self assurance so wisely, and vividly expressed in the 2nd verse is enamoring. "Kaftan kismet" that's so spiritually and visually sensual..."We fearlessly swell into the deathless space of faith..." that is soulfuly romantic. This is a great work of Art, of Love Poetess...J.A.B. Ink Empress July 6, 2026 at 9:57 AM Youv quoted also my most personal lines here ~ awwn! I feel alive …receiving such uplifting feedback from a master poet like you! I wear kaftan quite often, so it came naturally… thank you once again for your beautiful soulful comment. Means alot! Sending you light today and always..,

Justin Bordner July 6, 2026 at 7:49 AM I am in awe of this poem that exemplies poetic passion Poetess. The balance of heartfelt feeling and every noble metric of Poetry is immaculate. The depth of desire and wisdom so finely expressed is riveting! Your application of alliteration herein in absolutely marvelous.The word pairings are pristinely original. You captivate all of the senses with a seamless pulsing, the feelings, imagery, and truth flow into one another so gracefully. Passion, grace, and wisdom uniting into euphoria. J.A.B. Ink Empress July 6, 2026 at 9:54 AM It gives me immense pleasure to read that you tasted and felt wisdom, passion grace and so much more in this poem dear Justin, I always appreciate the fact that you grasp little details ~ emotional depth of my metaphors and alliterations, cus not many can or could or care to~ thankful for your warm presence….

Lin Lane July 6, 2026 at 6:41 AM What glorious detail and colors in this painting! I could hardly pull myself away from looking and feeling the emotions I could not stifle. I'm not sure of the history, but I see her as heartbroken over the loss of love. Soo deeply hurt that in the scent of a rose, she remembers him...Not even a thorn she may have at her hand could take her out of that reverie. Ink, your lines do Waterhouse's painting justice with your delicate phrasing. "bleeding for the soul and spirit," and "the ache of aloneness." Yep, you're a wildflower! Ink Empress July 6, 2026 at 9:48 AM Haha I can be pretty wild ;) lolol thank you for your very poetic response linnersz, I am grateful for your presence, and how youv gone really deep ~ is impressive. Sometimes love just lives and breathes deep within our veins, alive, not lost, just engrossed in the heat of longing! Appreciate your kindness, and support ~ sending you warm light today and always ~ (my wrist tho ugh, im using my tiny other phone to respond to soupers)

Dorothy Gibbons July 6, 2026 at 6:26 AM Wow Ink your heart always flows with awesome words in pen n ink. Touches your readers deeply . You do touch my Scottish heart n soul. Inspiration just flows from you. Love the dreamy painting too." Starry - silver strength" "cosmic brushstrokes" "drawing you in delicate dreams " im floating in the clouds :) hugs my friend of beautiful words Ink Empress July 6, 2026 at 9:45 AM Awwn I appreciate your scottish heart and soul, thank you so much for reading/feeling and for leaving such a soul warming comment! I am grateful to have you here ~ awwn made me smile as I read “ im floating in the clouds” thank you once again. Im touched! Sending you light always

Alison A Smith July 6, 2026 at 3:22 AM Your flow of amazing worded verse leaves me in awe. Ink Empress July 6, 2026 at 4:12 AM Thank you so much for reading and for leaving such a supportive comment dear Alison, I appreciate your support. Sending you light today and always

Lioness Onpaper July 6, 2026 at 2:25 AM bleeding for the soul and spirit of smoke-kissed sepals stretching towards the sky.. mmmmm I love that line papi!!! Sooo enticing!! drawing you in delicate dreams lost in luscious light… aaah like how u draw me in like the poetry enchantresssszz u r !!! Yess yesssss I know this feeelingsss … ache of aloneness I still am fluent in the dialect of devotion.. u r never alone papi!!!! The spirit of me is always rite there next to u goin “ haloooooooi kundhalini saktiiiiiii “ XD XD XD.. sacred symphony to serenade a shield-maiden saga choosing inner battles for I belong where the balm of burning balance blooms.. yassss alliterationssss !!! I am not unstitched by silence.. yess powerful papiiii!! we fearlessly swell into the deathless space of faith… indeed we dooo!!!. where the spring breeze phrases our initials in sunset mauve...mmmm gorgeously said papi!! Absolutely stunning piece. Ink Empress July 6, 2026 at 4:34 AM Awwn papi thats sweet ~ I know i have you always