Lin Lane Poet Ekphrasis

Notes About The Poem

Dilly's Album cover contest      March 15, 2025

Thinking About Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars

Ziggy was a sexually curious alien
A celestial rock star from sanguine Mars
a Stardust being who journeyed to Earth

A Moon Age Starman made a five-year voyage
described in Bowie's playlist as having 
"a screwed down hairdo like a cat from Japan"

Bowie took on the iconic persona of Ziggy 
who landed in an alley of cardboard boxes.
Maybe it was his idea of a Suffragette City

The album cover's artwork was meant 
to give a view of Bowie's thoughts 
on politics, drugs, sex, and his fame in the 70s.

But Ziggy felt his telescopic view of Earth
hadn't prepared him for what he found
on what he thought of as a 'voodoo planet'

Go figure, since he had spiders for friends
The fret of his guitar was silenced
by the fretting he did over feeling lost and alone

Ziggy was a space invader,
Bowie's alter ego who explored themes of fame, 
identity, and societal expectations. 

Back cover instructions read...
"TO BE PLAYED AT MAXIMUM VOLUME.” 
To which many replied, albeit perhaps without words: 
           "Aye aye, Captain!"   
Not meant for my ears at those decibels

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Tania Kitchin April 4, 2025 at 9:33 AM Lin, a great poem and description of David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust. Sad that he is no longer with us. I love some of his songs, especially "Fame and "Heroes" Congratulations on your winning placement.

Andrea Dietrich March 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM I don't know anything about Ziggy. But you explained him well and I loved that ending verse. Lin Lane March 18, 2025 at 4:02 AM Not a Bowie fan? Thanks for enjoying meeting Ziggy.

David Kavanagh March 16, 2025 at 7:08 AM You have certainly done Ziggy justice here Lin, what a great innovator Bowie was, and a gifted artist to boot, this particular album had some great songs on it, my own personal favourite is Starman, I bunked in with my pals to see him playing at Slane Castle back in the late 80s, was well worth the risks we took including navigating a river, he certainly had a life of highs and lows, all the best for contest, cheers David Lin Lane March 16, 2025 at 7:40 AM Oh, all of you lucky people who got to see Bowie in the flesh! I was intrigued by the album cover and started writing this one while listening to it. I listened a second time without trying to write... just to enjoy it. Thanks for your information and well wishes for the contest, David.

Duke Beaufort March 15, 2025 at 5:44 PM Lin, this is a marvelous read. It seems insightful and full of surprises. Isn't it so ironic and funny in these times to be considering a visit in that direction? Have to laugh. Smiles of course. Hey...we're trying to do the right thing and bring people around to the idea we're all connected in a positive way. I think that's why I love your poetry so much. It's a real joy to at least try. Lin Lane March 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM My sincere thanks to you for liking my take on David Bowie’s album. Ziggy would be very proud. ;-)

Tom Cunningham March 15, 2025 at 8:51 AM Love your interpretation of the picture Lin, I didn't really appreciate his music until I was older, what an amazing artist he was. Good luck in the contest. Tom Lin Lane March 15, 2025 at 9:31 AM Honestly, Tom... I didn't know where I was going to go with this contest. When I saw this cover my mind or my amusing muse said, "This is it! do wop! lol Thanks for traveling with Ziggy. Made me think of Tania's greyhound.

John Read March 15, 2025 at 8:46 AM Hi Lin, I live not far from where the album cover was photographed, it's just a short walk down regent street, in Heddon street, the red phone box is still there, it's now become a tourist attraction. Lin Lane March 15, 2025 at 9:29 AM How cool, John. you should go down and stand in that same spot, take your picture and post it here. lol That'd be awesome!

Gary Radice March 15, 2025 at 2:41 AM Now that’s what I call an album!!! .and an ekphrasis. :) Lin Lane “jammin’ good” here with references to the iconic title track. Nice one! I have all Bowie’s albums up to ‘Let’s Dance’ when I think he lost his way. 23 Haddon Street where the cover was shot is not far from Carnaby Street. (If you are a music fan London has many iconic album cover locations)…and I’ve just read Jan’s post below and am now jealous as I never got to see him in concert. Good luck in D D’s contest Lin. Cheers - Gary Lin Lane March 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM I've never been to England, but with its history, I can see that it'd definitely make fantastic backdrop scenes for covers. This one is filled with things that seem to need addressing. While writing this, I was listening to the songs, and I knew I had to use the line about the screwed down hairdo. Thank you ever so much for your thoughts and well wishes, Gary.

Jan Allison March 15, 2025 at 2:00 AM what an iconic cover of an amazing album Lin. i was lucky enough to see Bowie in concert when we lived in Birmingham - good luck in the contest:-) hugs jan xx Lin Lane March 15, 2025 at 3:16 AM Weren't you the fortunate one!!! I'm jealous. Thanks for the good luck wishes, Jan.