Brunch on the grass – scandal in the Salon.
Fair enough – it was the first free-born.
The outlaw, in her original natural glow,
beams accompanied by invisible nymphs.
The hosts, in sober jackets, cravats,
beards and hats are locked
behind an endless verbose fence.
Scandalous, indeed…
They will stay chat-stuck, transience-packed
until you stop seeing them as you cease believing them.
The bather, emerging from the water,
is a feather lost in the wandering ‘libre verse’.
The odalisque, in her nude magnitude,
sets an essential turn of phrase:
her eyes, cast out of the canvas
are descending on the approaching, charming beau
with expressive unshielded alter ego…
Today we talk about Ekphrasticon, a book by Ekaterina Dukas published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author Ekaterina Dukas to get to know her better and to discover all about her book Ekphrasticon.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Where did you find the inspiration to write this poem?
This book was inspired by a visit to the Van Gogh museum, Amsterdam, in 2019, when I saw The Potato Esters in its original setting. The emotional impact was immediate and profound. I was hooked in the Ekphrastic vibe. I sketched the poem in situ. Sent it to Ekphrastic Review. They chose to publish it. Then – The Starry Night. Then – several selections for their Writing Challenges. So I thought of a collection and name. Ekphrasticon is my most cherished linguistic invention.
- What do you want to communicate to readers with this work?
Ekphrasticon deals with drama. Each poem is a quest for a poetically consecrated dramatic solution. As in one where the Potato Eaters become “Liberators of the earth apple from the underground dark grapple”. I would like to communicate this kind of ‘turn of phrase’ findings that elevate the humanness not only of the specific dramatic material, but also in general.
- What was the first book you read and what did it teach you?
The first book to read happened to be Cinderella. The fairy setting captured my imagination and the dramatic solution delivered not only excitement, but also a valuable piece of advice – beauty is in the good character not in the decor.
– How was your publishing experience?
The publishing experience was exemplary – time tolerant, editing engaged, detail focused.
- Are you working on a new book of the same genre?
Yes, once an ekphrastic poet – always an ekphrastic poet.
Europe Books thanks the author Ekaterina Dukas once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book Ekphrasticon. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my dear reader, I hope this book, full of poems on art, won’t only delight your eyes and fill your artistic sense, but will also let you live and exciting journey, exploring in poetic detail paintings and sculpture by very important authors.
So, my dear reader, I just have to wish you to enjoy this very artistic and exciting reading!!!
Your editor!