Art Inspiration, Ekphrastic, Free Verse, Poetry, Theme Prompt, Writing Prompts

Inspired By Art

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for dVerse Poets Pub – Exploring the Art of
Gerard Sekoto. Our host, Melissa, has asked us to
choose one of the featured paintings and write a poem
based on it. Here’s my response to the challenge.

“Woman with Downcast Eyes”
by Gerard Sekoto (1955)

She holds the whole evening
in the bowl of her face ….
gold burning at the edges
where the world falls away.

Blue is not sadness here.
Blue is the cool interior,
the kept thought,
the word withheld.

Her eyes find the floor
of some private place.
Whatever she is carrying
she is not ready to say.

The paint remembers it all;
She remains still.

NAR©2026

Nancy’s Notes: Gerard Sekoto’s “Woman with Downcast Eyes” (1955) is an Expressionist portrait typically interpreted as a poignant reflection of the struggles of Black South Africans under Apartheid, highlighting themes of resignation and quiet endurance. The downcast eyes and muted, somber tones symbolize the vulnerability and emotional burden and of everyday life, rather than overt defiance, showcasing Sekoto’s focus on the humanity of his subjects.

This is “Biko” by Peter Gabriel

Exploring the art of Gerard Sekoto

Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

32 thoughts on “Inspired By Art”

  9. A stunning ekphrastic poem, Nancy. I especially love the opening lines, which made me gasp – the phrase ‘holds the whole evening in the bowl of her face’ – and the interpretation of the colour blue.

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