An ekphrastic poem is inspired by a work of art. Danika Rivera’s “The Ocean, The Sky, and The Wind” is inspired by Edvard Munch’s 1892 painting, Despair.
Orange and yellow engulf The Sky
It haunts my every dream
As I watch the grass sway by
The Ocean calls out to me, its waves disturbed
The boats honk against my silenced words
I talk no further, no need to be heard
The Wind speaks to me as its words hold my hand
It caresses my cheek as I look ahead
The calls can’t be shunned, can’t be ignored
The murmurs nearby stop the unsaid voices
People I know, perhaps, or my imagination
I take a peek and see them in different poses
Salt blows in my eyes and I shut them, unafraid
I take another glance and see their top hats and their black suits
Back to normal, and alone, I feel again
Lone, large mountains take my view
Mist takes my form, like a cloud atop the ground
I feel lighter, no need to be here any longer
I float up, leaving them behind
My friends, I think, now that I remember
Maybe so, for I was thinking for far too long
The Wind betrays my hat as it falls down low
The Sky reflects on my face, orange and yellow take my eyes
The Ocean wants me to bear witness as I take my final look
Danika Rivera is finishing her tenth grade year at Pembroke Pines Charter High School. She is new to writing as a hobby and hopes to grow better at it. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, baking, and reading books.
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