Ekphrasis

Title: Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies,

Artist: Claude Monet

Year: 1899

Medium: Oil Painting

                The painting is of a rounded wooden bridge that hangs over a pond of water.  There is green scenery everywhere, from the pollen in the water, on the trees in the background and the vines that hang in their glory.  There are many lily-pads in their water, a fresh crisp green, like the color of freshly-cut summer grass.  There are glimmers of pink on the lily-pads, the beautiful flowers on them.

Relate the work of Art to something it makes you think of

I see a bridge and I can remember

Those lazy summer days up in New Hampshire.

We were at your lake-house,

On a week of absolute perfection

Away from the pressures of work

And the exhaustion that seems to accompany city life

I still look back, with wonder

Thinking of the good times,

When we jumped off your boat,

Into the water we swam, like little schools of fish

That was when we could still all get along.

We made up silly jumps, off the boat screaming

Thinking we were creative,

Making noises like small children.

I can still feel the fire, burning from the pit

I sat and watched you make it,

Amazed you knew how to do such a thing,

Sometimes I think of the smoke and how it filled my eyes

The scent of fire later, encroached its way on my hair and on my clothes

We made smores, it was there I had my first one

I remember deciding I’d rather put a Reese Cup on mine,

Because I didn't like plain Hershey’s chocolate.

It started a brand new trend,

Soon we were all doing it.

After eating until our bellies hurt,

We would sit in the swing, thinking of

The future as we star gazed

We would speak of what was to come

Not realizing so much could never come.

The sounds of your brother and his friends still fill the air

And the light clicking of video-game controllers

And hushed curse words when a mistake was made

Super Smash Brothers Brawl was one we would play late at night

When there was nothing left to do.

Once it was time for bed,

As the guest,

I got to choose the VHS tape we would watch.

I always picked something I knew we would all enjoy,

Realizing that with Disney movies,

There is always something someone will like.

Before the movie was over,

We would all be asleep,

Sleeping through the night

And waking up refreshed for the next day.

It is then that we would eat breakfast,

Scurrying to make it outside

To enjoy the beautiful day.

The kayaks were my favorite part.

We could swirl around the lake,

Exploring new horizons.

I always wanted the blue kayak,

And you always let me get what I wanted.

We would soar on the kayaks,

Making it our own sort of race.

I think you tried to lose,

So that I could win.

On our favorite part of the trail,

I would sing “Just around the riverbend”

Completely off-key,

But you didn’t mind.

After choosing a path to follow,

We could see the lily-pads everywhere.

To go under the bridge,

We would have to scoot on the kayaks,

Paddling softly and not lifting our heads,

For if we did we would bump them surely.

I thought it was funny at the time,

To reach into the water,

And capture a lily-pad.

I threw it at you and it hit you right in the face.

I’ll never forget the way you laughed.

You yelled at me to cut it out,

And to grow up.

But I knew you never meant it.

I giggled thinking I wouldn't rather be any other place

Than here.