For Day Nineteen of Paul Brookes’ Special January Ekphrastic Challenge, I’ve responded to these two works of art. These challenges are getting more difficult (for me).
-Marcel Herms “Dodelijke volkswoede” 
–Kerfe Roig, “Saturnalia”
Celebration
With sharp-toothed anger,
the populace tears and claws–
then stops to celebrate
the gods—carnage and salvation–
sowing what they reap, in
exhalation and inebriation,
the world turned upside-down,
the rule of fools’ attempts to answer
what is, believing what was not.
Chance here comes,
fate is both baited and awaited.
Now what is we do not know—
but don a mask, break a glass,
hope for treats and not disaster.
A period of darkness comes—
but always light comes after.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I just loved that angry buildup, the honesty, the descriptions of chaos that complement the works of art well in this piece. I especially LOVED how this went from dark to light in hope and seeking comfort in the warmth of such light. A beautifully written piece, Merril. I have never done an Ekphrastic form of poetry, but I can already tell how rooted it is to both the emotion in the art and what the writer (you) and the artist intend for their individual pieces.
What more can I say? I love your writing. 😀
Awww–thank you so much, Lucy! What a thoughtful and lovely comment.
I’m surprised you haven’t written ekphrastic poetry. I think you’d be so good at it. I’ve never done a challenge like this though–responding to works of art every day. It is quite–well, challenging. 😀
Well said, Lucy!
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
The crowd is an unpredictable beast. Those ‘claws and sharp-toothed anger.’ Both images make my flesh creep. I hope your last line is true.
Thank you. I thought both images were unsettling, too. And yes,, I do hope so.
I had a month of Marcel Herms and that was enough.
🤣
The light does come…although sometimes the waiting is hard. (K)
Yes, it is.
Such dark art you’ve chosen! And perfect poem to go with. May your last line always be true. Wonderful, as always.
Thank you! For the challenge, we’re given the art for each day–so it’s the artists who are dark. 😀 I hope so, too, about the light.
I realise that. I thought you had the choice between a few…😉
And yes. There will always be light.
Yes, most days there are three to choose from. I think for this one, there were only these two images. Marcel Herms’ artwork almost always seems dark to me.
It is! And you handled it perfectly.
Thank you! 😀
😁
I’d never know this poem (with images) was a challenge for you. Honestly, you didn’t need the images to write about our times right now. You got it just right.
Thank you so much! 😀
Darkness unto light – such is the hope
Yes, it is. Thank you, Derrick.
You met the challenge of these disturbing images admirably! We do seem to carry on with ancient savageries.
Thank you! Yes, unfortunately, you are so right.
You’re welcome!