life
and death
structured together, partnered
nothing
to subtract
or to add
rended,
essence floats
beyond secrets–incandescent
A haynaku for Colleen’s #TankaTuesday Ekphrastic prompt, using Britta Benson’s photo, above, as inspiration. I’ve also used words from Jane’s Oracle 2.
K. 
This does seem very strongly to be a time of life and death partnered together.
I really like your bottom drawing.
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Thanks Merril. You know I like to draw skulls.
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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Yes!! I can feel the duality of the image too. In life and in death… Your drawing captures this feeling as well! Stunning, Kerfe. 💜
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Thanks Colleen. It’s an excellent image to work from I think.
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I thought so too. I try to be very open with the poets choices so we get inspiration from around the world.
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I think we all appreciate it–I know I do.
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I’m glad, Kerfe. I know some folks were disturbed.
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I love the essence of your drawing and the line quality of the skeleton.
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Thanks!
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Wonderful take on the image and form, which has the brevity of haiku but a little more wiggle room. Neat drawing at the bottom!
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I love the last line and the sketch!
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Thanks! This was a good photo to work with.
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Perfect to go with all the art and the photo! Absolutely partnered!
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Thanks Muri. So much of life is partnered with death. We just don’t notice it.
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YOur drawing is a lot more creepy than the picture, Kerfe. A most interesting poem.
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Thanks Robbie. I don’t find skulls creepy at all. They are beautiful, like the branches of a tree. The structure, the frame.
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That is a nice way of looking at it, Kerfe.
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Your drawing really captures the essence of your words, and of the prompt image…
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Thanks Ingrid. It’s such an interesting image, especially when you read Britta’s explanation.
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Ah! So well said and I love your drawing of the image.
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Thanks Punam. As I have said in other comments, I do like drawing skulls. I think they are beautiful.
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I agree, they are. You are welcome.
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Wonderful artwork and poem, Kerfe. I love what you did with the prompt.
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The image reminded me of Merfolk… but not in a pleasing way.
I like your verse though, which lends a mystical quality about the image.
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Thanks Jules. I think I am unusual in finding skulls beautiful rather than creepy.
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Normal skulls are natural. The double bit – was just a tad odd. 🙂
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Much religious iconography is odd. It gets our attention for sure.
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I got disentchanted when I watch a show on how old Greek priests conned believers with false tears from statuary and also having them pay for holy water… (the first vending machine!).
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Oh there are plenty of con games everywhere these days.
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Folks would like to think con games are new, but they really haven’t changed from the first ‘cons’…. or ‘gentle persuasions 😉
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