JC Brul Poet Ekphrasis

Notes About The Poem

The Wanderer

Hey, sir!
Why did you stop and look awhile?
Amazed by flurry fleeting fog,
or seeking sacrosanct solace 
behind the calming chiaroscuro
of boundless beguiling beauty
in front of you?

Hey, sir!
Will you look back at me awhile,
and gaze upon my eyes?
I wonder if ...
a mysterious monarchial mind
I see from your back
is depicted in the way you look at me;
I want to know.

Hey, sir!
It seems you got miles to go;
Will you stop and hang awhile
to have a drink for two?
Hurry not...
And we both will ponder
on the misty haven
before the night is through.


Notes:Wanderer above the Sea of Fog, or Der Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer, to give it it's original German title, is the most famous painting from the career of German Romanticist painter, Caspar David Friedrich. It was finished in 1818 and now resides at the Kunsthalle Hamburg in Hamburg, Germany.
Photo and info credits to: thehistoryofart.org


10 August 2022
'A BRIAN STRAND PREMIERE CHOICE' Poetry Contest
1st place

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Crystol Woods June 28, 2024 at 5:01 AM Had to check out your trophy winning poem! Yep, excellent, as I thought. Such a creative mind! Xo

Anisha Dutta February 17, 2023 at 9:26 PM EXCELLENT I am charmed. Blessings

Evelyn Judy Buehler September 6, 2022 at 12:16 PM JCB, you have created an exquisite ekphrasis in interpretation of this magnificent painting! Congratulations on your trophy. This is a fave. :) Evelyn

John Watt September 5, 2022 at 5:17 PM Another phenomenal ekphrasis, my friend. You have brought the viewer into the scene by conducting a conversation with the subject, and have added intrigue by expressing curiosity about his unseen face. I am delighted by your alliterations in lines 3 - 6 and again in line 12. I was not familiar with this artist or this painting; thank you for bringing them both to our attention. I applaud your trophy win! Note: two other poets I know of who often write ekphrasis poems are Gary Radice and Dennis Spilchuk. I recommend them both. I would also suggest a visit to a recent POTD by Michael Tor about Monet and his wife Camille, titled "A Blank Canvas Becomes A Masterpiece". Warmly ~ John

Linda Alice Fowler August 23, 2022 at 7:08 AM I love the alliteration and intimacy of this fabulous winning poem. Congratulations! Linda

Kim Rodrigues August 19, 2022 at 1:00 PM An amazing painting to ponder! You did well! Congratulations, JCB! i will have to look up the painting!

Len Gasun August 15, 2022 at 1:17 AM Wow! This is a marvelous ekphrasis my dear friend JCB. Congratulations on your well-deserved trophy win! I enjoyed your poem. Thanks a lot for sharing. God bless. Hugs

Vijay Pandit August 14, 2022 at 3:15 PM WOW! Fabulous write--deserving of the trophy win! BIG congrats!

Andrea Dietrich August 14, 2022 at 11:36 AM you did well to use this form of poetry. Brian loves this form, and you did splendidly with it!! Congrats.

Anitha Jayasankar August 14, 2022 at 11:16 AM What an exquisite write dear JCB.. First stanza full of alliterative beauty... Congratulations on your trophy win... Have a lovely day... Hugs... ~ Ani

Robert Gorelick August 13, 2022 at 6:26 PM Hey JCB congratulations on your first trophy win! May there be more. Such a stirring yet delicate soulful impression of this distinguished sojourner's scenic respite. Elegantly presented. Robert

Connie Marcum Wong August 13, 2022 at 3:39 PM Your Trophy win is outstanding JCB! Congratulations and Kudos on your deserving honor. Blessings xxoo

Ann Peck August 13, 2022 at 3:21 PM A unique and interesting poem. I love your poetic interpretation of a painting! Congratulations on First Place!

Malabika Ray Choudhury August 13, 2022 at 10:04 AM A Huge Congratulations! A Trophy - what a great achievement! The painting is brilliant, and your poem exceptionally composed! Love always ~ Mala

Mystic Rose Rose August 13, 2022 at 8:52 AM Amazing how a piece of art can touch us so deeply as to write a poem of deep introspect, a masterpiece of great value here, A big congrats to you !

Anisha Dutta August 12, 2022 at 10:45 PM Big Congrats to win TOP on your unique poem. Have a good day. JC Brul August 13, 2022 at 7:59 AM Thank you Anisha. All good wishes.

Valsa George August 12, 2022 at 9:55 PM I knew this would be placed at the top. Congratulations dear friend for your trophy win ! JC Brul August 13, 2022 at 7:58 AM Thank you for your support dear friend. It means so much to me.

Constance La France August 12, 2022 at 4:11 PM JCB, beautiful poem and congratulations on your amazing first place win and trophy, well done, blessings ~Constance JC Brul August 13, 2022 at 7:58 AM Thank you Constance for your heart-warming feedback.

Sotto Poet August 12, 2022 at 2:39 PM Congratulations, Brul, on your win, which was certainly earned. This is one of a kind to an astounding degree. I found out about your poems by looking them up on Google. Best Regards JC Brul August 13, 2022 at 7:57 AM Thank you Sotto Poet. I feel honoured by your appreciation.

Valsa George August 11, 2022 at 5:07 AM Apt descriptions on a master work of painting ! I have always admired your Ekpharasis poems written in lofty diction ! I had to google for the meanings of a couple of words you have used ! A sure winner ! All the Best Jez.... JC Brul August 13, 2022 at 7:56 AM Thank you dear friend. You are an inspiration.

Silpika Kalita August 10, 2022 at 2:34 AM This is incredibly unique. I have come to know about your poems through soupmail. A splendid ekpharasis with apt alliterations. JC Brul August 13, 2022 at 7:56 AM Thank you Silpika for your warm comments.