This is an ekphrastic poem, which is inspired by a work of art. Ariana Bonilla’s “Who Am I to You?” is inspired by Roy Lichtenstein’s charcoal drawing Woman, c. 1949-1951.
Who am I to you?
Aside from an atomic housewife who answers your every call.
Aside from a mere vessel to hold new life.
Who am I to you?
Have you no shame?
To strip me from my voice,-
my femininity.
Like a wounded dog, you eat from Uncle Sam’s hand
and follow his pointed finger.
Doing everything he asks of you,
just as you expect from me.
Except, I’m not a dog.
I am a creator of life.
The true leader of the household when you go and chase masculinity.
Do you think you will ever get enough?
Will you ever achieve satisfaction?
You are conditioned to believe it’s your true calling just as I was.
So, let me ask you again.
Who am I to you?
Ariana Bonilla is a graduating senior who is in her second year of creative writing. She enjoys writing and using literature as an expression of creativity. She plans on attending South Carolina State University in the fall. “Who Am I to You?” earned first place in the ekphrastic poetry category in this year’s PPCHS literary fair. She published “Under The Same Moon,” another ekphrastic poem, in our 2024 issue of the atala.
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