This afternoon, I attended a poetry reading by Kelli Russell Agodon. The second half of the program was an exercise in writing ekphrastic poetry—i.e., poetry about art. This poem is based on one of Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits.

Immobilized in chaos,
my body lies broken,
held rigid by rods.

My spirit yearns to overcome,
to triumph over adversity,
electricity,
pollution,
and death.

I will tower above adversity.
I will make my mark.
My roots will reach deep into the soil,
sowing seeds, making sparks.

(11 October 2014)