My poem “personifications” is posted along with the others selected for the challenge artwork “Salome” by Henri Regnault on The Ekphrastic Review today.
Regnault’s piece is well known but not typical of artists’ interpretations of the Biblical story (which has been altered in our consciousness by time and retelling also). Most painters choose to show either the dance, perhaps accompanied by a disembodied head, or a close up of a woman with a head on a platter. Here we have a woman, sitting, with a platter and a sword but no head. Is it supposed to be empowerment?
My collage, too, follows neither common narrative. I knew I had a dark female figure in the collage box that I wanted to use, and in the search for her I pulled out other elements that seemed to fit with her and my poem.
I always thought the story of Salome was just another example of humans refusing to take responsibility for their own actions and desires. None of the behavior, certainly, merits imitation. Blind obedience is just as bad as passing the buck (see: current world “leaders” and their followers…)
Once again, thanks to Review editor Lorette C. Luzajic for selecting my poem and supporting the call and response of poetry and art. You can read all the poetry and see the original artwork here.
I also really like Redon’s Salome, below.
K. 
Congratulations for getting in with the chosen ones. I like the Redon too. There’s no judgment in it or pathos. Mother and daughter seem to be looking at the head as if they just found it lying there, and the head doesn’t look to worried either.
Your poem made me think, and not about that particular representation either.
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Thanks Jane. I did kind of go off on a tangent.
Redon is always full of mystery.
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One of the things I love about Redon is that nobody ever looks unhappy. They always look awestruck or as if they’re on something.
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Not quite of the world.
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Exactly.
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Congratulations, Kerfe.
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Thanks Ken.
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Good going, Kerfe. I like the idea of an old myth being respun. The fact you found the accompanying pieces says the direction was the one you chose.
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Thanks Jade. All those old stories have many layers.
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You’re welcome and agree.
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Congratulations! I think your poem gets at the many layers.
I like the Redon, too.
Regnault’s version–I’m not sure. That smirk. . .I don’t know–seems more “mean girl” than empowered. Also, we just watched the Kennedy Center Honors, and she kind of reminds me of Linda Ronstadt way back when. 😉
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Thanks.
I see that connection. I’m not enamoured with Regnault either. It lacks any mystery.
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