Two Ploughboys
They said to wait here for the plough and the cart.
I think we’re in the wrong field.
Why?
There’s no yield of hay for a start.
I like it here,
It’s quiet and still.
When will they get here?
I don’t think they will.
I’m in no hurry to move,
I think I will stay.
And sit upon the grassy meadow,
And dream…
Okay,
I agree,
it’s nice to be free,
with nothing to do.
I think I will stay here for the rest of the day,
too.
Lesley Scoble, September 2024
I wrote my poem, Two Ploughboys, in response to Sally’s prompt to compose an ekphrastic poem inspired by Winslow Homer’s (1836 – 1910) painting of ‘Boys in a Pasture’. Sally is this week’s Poet of the Week for the W3 Poetry Prompt #123. You can read Sally’s winning poem, Seasons, here. To read Sally’s full prompt guidelines, please click below.
Full Prompt Guidelines
Compose an ekphrastic poem inspired by Winslow Homer’s (1836 – 1910) painting of ‘Boys in a Pasture’.
Approaches to ekphrastic poetry
- Write about the scene or subject being depicted in the artwork.
- Write in the voice of a person or object shown in the work of art.
- Write about your experience of looking at the art.
- Relate the work of art to something else it reminds you of.
- Imagine what was happening while the artist was creating the piece.
- Write in the voice of the artist.
- Write a dialogue among characters in a work of art.
- Speak directly to the artist or the subject(s) of the piece.
- Write in the voice of an object or person portrayed in the artwork.
- Imagine a story behind what you see depicted in the piece.
- Speculate about why the artist created this work.
CREDITS
My thanks to the Poet of the Week, Sally, at Hot Dog and Marmalade for her inspiring ekphrastic prompt.
My thanks, as always, to David Bogomolny. Our most gracious host at The Skeptics Kaddish.
Last but not least, thank you, dear reader, for reading.
Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.
LesleyScoble.com 
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