An Ode to Narcissus | Caravaggio | Ekphrasis Series

The word ekphrasis, or ecphrasis, comes from the Greek for the written description of a work of art. It is a vivid, often dramatic, verbal description of a visual work of art, either real or imagined. – Wikipedia

This is the second poem in the Ekphrasis series of poetry. In the aforementioned series, I compose poems on my favorite art works. Here, I choose a very vivid painting by the Italian painter Caravaggio and try to capture the sentiments of one of his famous paintings which goes by the name of Narcissus. This painting captures the moment when the youth falls in love with his own reflection.

If there is any painting that you would like me to write about, I am open to your suggestions. Thanks!

Peering into still and clear waters
furrowed brows and downcast eyes,
struck with wonder, smitten with love,
he lingers under black and sombre skies. 

Firmly rooted to his very spot,
enamored by his own form sublime,
a glorious earthling in youthful prime,
untarnished by the curse of ravaging time.

Narcissus ! 
You need no resplendent robes 
to bedeck your soft and supple skin;
those skilled at art will want to carve
your cavernous eyes and chiseled chin.

Narcissus !
How often you dismiss true love - 
leave lovely maidens in pitiful rue; 
O paragon of rare and radiant beauty!
Why cannot we take our eyes off you? 

Narcissus !
Why seek  solace from vanity -
reflection of your face but not your soul?
When the water dries and all is barren,
your heart might resemble a gaping hole.

Narcissus !
Respond to our earthly calls,
arise and partake in this mortal realm, 
fall not under the spell of fleeting youth -
your frail heart and soul not overwhelm.

Narcissus !
Seek the comfort of day's light,
dwell not too long in saturnine moods;
the sky lark warbles - so listen closely -
there's music in trees and Echo in woods.

Narcissus !
Lean away from the edge,
look beyond your beauty's guise;
lest you fall into the spurious pool 
and bring about your untimely demise.

© Copyright: Leah Chrestien. August 2023.  The post An Ode to Narcissus | Caravaggio | Ekphrasis Series first appeared on The Ecstatic Storyteller. The author reserves the right to the content. No reproduction of content in any form is permitted without the prior consent of the author.