Ekphrasis 9: Laura Frankstone + Marly Youmans
April 3, 2007
“Face 1,” by Laura Frankstone of Laurelines
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Botticelli
A sketch after Botticelli by Laura Frankstone
This head’s more proud and sparkling than the one
Sandro painted—something like the sun
Blossoms in the face, as if acclaim
Five hundred years to come could flare as flame
In him; he is a mirror reflecting lights
From God and Medici, a moon on nights
When mythic paintings char by his own hand,
Jumbled with lutes, rouge pots, and gilded fans
In Lenten bonfires of the vanities.
And yet the face that’s swerved toward us espies
Neither magi, baby, nor company
Of nobles near the girl—he turns to see
In dazzled eyes across the near and far,
His picture glowing like the Christmas star.
Categories: Ekphrasis
Laura Frankstone, Marly Youmans
I have been following Laura’s inspiring work for some time now and wanted to say that it is a pleasure to see this sketch combined with such a beautiful poem.
Thank you for visiting and commenting, Susan. It was good to discover your blog and website – your own work is beautiful too!
Thanks, I appreciate your kind words. :)