This is Day 2 of Paul Brooke’s Special January Ekphrastic Challenge. If you click the link, you can see all the art and responses.
Responding to Der Tod ist ein Dandy auf einem Pferd Marcel Herms
And CO 8 by Christine O’Connor
Death Blooms
Death wanders and hovers–
in plagues, pounces; with demagogues
and flag-waving fools, dives. He prances
through porticos, and capers in life’s collage—
see there, the dark spaces among the blooms?
Some toss fireworks,
others lay flowers–
the dead stay dead.
I’m linking this to the dVerse Open Link night, too.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
Thank you, Paul.
yes. the dead stay dead 😦
a lovely write, but sad.
-David
Thank you, David. This one was written after the events on Wednesday. My first day challenge was not as bleak.
Powerful piece, Merril. The dead stay dead no matter how they came to be there. Somehow it is less painful when it happens naturally.
Thank you, Dale. Yes, you’re right. I guess when you know and can prepare a bit, it helps.
That last line says it all. (K)
Thank you.
Strong writing, Merril. Nicely done!
Thank you, Jill!
The title itself is so captivating, Merril! 💝 Especially love; “He prances through porticos, and capers in life’s collage.” Death’s game is centuries old.
Thank you very much, Sanaa. Yes, it is.
Agree with Sanaa, the portico prancing and the collage capering really caught my ear, but I especially was moved by:
“see there, the dark spaces among the blooms?”
death leaves a void, a space, no doubt.
Thank you so much, Lona. I was responding to both pieces of art. Yes, you are so right–it’s physical and metaphysical.
This is a chilling poem, mainly through the choice of verbs. This is a necessary poem, an important poem, a poem that needs to be heard.
So starkly put – rightly so
Thank you, Derrick. Yes, not my usual style, but sometimes it has to be said.
Quite sp
‘And the dead stay dead.’
That is the sticking point, isn’t it? Whatever the reason, whatever your beliefs, until further notice, the dead stay dead.
Yes, exactly right.
🙂
Fitting words for a tragic outcome.
Thank you, Ken.
Woah!
Thank you!