I have a poem up in Visual Verse, and so does Jane. I enjoy ekphrastic prompts. If you want to try it, there’s a new prompt each month.
You can read mine and see the image by Adriaen van Utrecht, an early 17th century Flemish artist, here.
I’m sharing this with dVerse Open Link Live.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
This is fantastic, Merril. Congrats
Your choice of writing it from the servant’s perspective is wonderfully done.
Thank you so much, Dale! 😊
You are most welcome!
I’m with Dale about the perspective. I also like how you used metaphors. Well done, Merril.
Thank you very much, Frank. I appreciate that.
Well done, Merril. I can easily imagine a servant thinking such thoughts. ❤️
Thank you very much, Gwen. ❤️
Excellent! Congratulations. (K)
Thank you!
This is a very powerful poem presented from the maidservant’s perspective, not forgetting “monkeys captured with human cargo”
Thank you very much, Derrick. I’m so pleased you noticed that! 💙
Wow! That is impressive poetry. It imparts the riches of the past, history from a humble point of view. I feel the maid’s disenfranchisement.
Thank you so much, Resa. I’m pleased you felt and understood her viewpoint and feelings.
Your poem is as rich with imagery as the image … a perfect pairing and in particular because of the maidservant’s perspective. And this observation: “even my mistress takes up her paintbrush
between popping out babies.” Wow! Yes, a woman with wealth is still treated as a means of production.
Thank you, Marie. I think there were many more female artists than we know about, but like other women, they had work around childbirth, nursing, household chores. . .
The perspective of writing from the maid is such a good one, and I can just see all that food being wasted
Thank you very much, Björn.
All that wasted food bothers me. 🙂
This is absolutely exquisite work done, Merril! Congratulations on having it up on Visual Verse 🥰🥰 I especially like; “even my mistress takes up her paintbrush between popping out babies. It’s a well-ordered house.” 💙💙
Thank you so much, Sanaa! 💙💙
This is excellent.
Yes, the lines “But wealth has its burdens,
even my mistress takes up her paintbrush
between popping out babies.” No matter the tone I imagine used here, it adds so much.
Thank you so much! 😊
A very thoughtful poem, Merril. It fits the painting very well. I enjoyed hearing you read it today!
Thank you so much, Dwight!
I love the writing from her perspective. And what a waste of the food.
Thank you very much, Grace!
Thanks for the link to Visual Verse.
Enjoyed your reading yesterday.
Thanks for dropping by my blog.
Happy St Patrick’s Day
Much💚love
Thank you very much, Gillena! 💙
Congratulations, Merril! This is marvellous. I love the maid’s perspective and there seems to be a hint of disdain in her articulations.
Thank you so much, Punam! 😊
You are welcome. 😊
I love your take on the image, Merril 🙂 Such a thoughtful interpretation.
Thank you so much, Sunra. 😊
You’re most welcome! 😊
Fantastic. I really love the writing on Visual Verse. I will head over and give yours a read. Congratulations.
Thank you!