EKPHRASTIC POET - TESSA DU TOIT
E-MAIL: lovinglight@hotmail.co.za
A FEW EXAMPLES OF MY OWN PAINTINGS & PROSE TO DEMONSTRATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EKPHRASTIC POETRY & PROSE.
EXPIATE
A deep sadness stirs in my spirit
The earth tremors in awe
in Regal Majesty she treads
her sonar resonates across Africa's plains
a soundless searching
an unheard plea.
Who is this species “man-kind”
That justifies desecration of a gift so freely given?
Upon what foundation are his unborn to take root?
A deep sadness stirs in my spirit
Desolation & far more cruel than nature's cycle
Annihilation – complete – irrational.
Drawn helplessly off ancient paths
Her very life fades with the setting sun.
TREE OF LIFE
A few years ago, I absent-mindedly sketched a tree during a lecture on spiritual gifts.
It was completely bare of leaf or fruit – as was my life at that period.
More recently – this year specifically – a sense of spiritual awakening illuminates my soul. Thus a season of new growth & blossoming of self has begun.
Here is underlying truth: As absurd to our scientific understanding of nature that a tree could survive, nay – even thrive, under such conditions, belies the fact that despite all material hardship & deprivation, my spirit blossoms!
All Glory to Yashua!
FREEDOM
Two different messages have evolved into this art work.
The one has been illustrated above as verbal windows that illuminate my message: “Once in a blue moon. Worth consideration at this point is the element of 'new life' represented by the grass (glass fragments) upon which the girls dance – above the waters of forgetfulness (death).
The five girls represent five freedoms: the freedom of speech; the freedom of religion; the freedom from fear; the freedom from want & most crucial: the freedom from ego.