Caravaggio
Light floods the window, spearing glass
and Matthew. Leaning forward now,
in conversation, he is called.
The bright and dark, a holy mass
of shadow, plays across his brow.
A brilliant moment, somehow stalled
in time and needing nothing more
to start again. The voice implores
the Saint to rise, and look, he stands.
Perhaps his hands push back the strands
of hair to better see his Lord.
The call that cannot be ignored.
Lisa J. Roberts lives in California. She has been published in Rattle, Saint Austin Review, Trivium Magazine, and other journals, and she was a finalist in the 2024 Fernando Reilo World Mystical Poetry Prize.
This is really wonderful! The light spearing glass and Matthew is a magnificent description, as is “ a holy mass / Of shadow”.
Thank you, Cynthia!
Thank you, Cynthia! I’m glad you liked it.
You’ve captured the scene admirably, Lisa.
Thanks for the read.
Thank you, Paul! Glad you enjoyed it!
Yes, a beautiful Ekphrastic “in the moment” poem. In the 5th line,
I mistakenly read “plays a cross on his brow” a thought
no doubt called forth from the previous lines. The artist’s
name makes such a beautiful title too. Very well done.
Thank you, jd! I appreciate the positive feedback!
I really enjoyed your Ekphrastic poem. A form I hope to try one day. You did a great job with the details and imparting the message at the end.