Summer Playground – An Ekphrastic Poem

Summer Playground

Gentle waves lap the shore
in late afternoon sunshine
Seagulls squabble in sand
squawking displeasure
A chocolate dog patient, disciplined
sits quietly by her owner
Paying the noisy birds no attention
Concentrating on the water’s movement
Her summer playground is
reflecting the sun’s orange glow
Waiting for the signal she knows will come
And it does, right on cue
One word is all that is needed
and sheer joy explodes in
showers of salty spray


Copyright © 2022 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing
All Rights Reserved

Merril is hosting D'Verse Poets tonight and has asked us to write
a summer ekphrastic poem using one of the paintings she chose as
our inspiration.  I chose the one by Peder Severin Krøyer,
Summer Evening at Skagen. The Artist’s Wife and Dog by the Shore

  14 comments for “Summer Playground – An Ekphrastic Poem

  1. June 8, 2022 at 8:32 pm

    I love how both are quietly reflecting and waiting for the magical moment.

    • Christine Bolton
      June 10, 2022 at 7:45 pm

      Thank you Grace ☺️💕 It reminded me of my dog

  2. June 8, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    That is a well behaved dog… so faithful to her mother

    • Christine Bolton
      June 8, 2022 at 8:31 pm

      Yes a sweet dog like mine ☺️💕

  3. June 8, 2022 at 11:23 am

    Love this – wonderful descriptions to repaint this picture.

    • Christine Bolton
      June 8, 2022 at 8:32 pm

      Thank you so much ☺️💕

  4. June 8, 2022 at 7:48 am

    A lovely sense of what this dog is picturing. A lovely summer poem.

    • Christine Bolton
      June 8, 2022 at 9:06 am

      Thank you Merril ☺️💕

      • June 8, 2022 at 9:20 am

        You’re very welcome. 😊

  5. June 8, 2022 at 3:17 am

    Excellent imagery of what happens in their minds…

    • Christine Bolton
      June 8, 2022 at 9:05 am

      Thank you Reena ☺️💕

  6. June 8, 2022 at 12:38 am

    Beautifully written Christine

    • Christine Bolton
      June 8, 2022 at 9:05 am

      Thanks Sadje ☺️💕

      • June 8, 2022 at 10:50 am

        You’re welcome

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