Ekphrastic Poem
An “ekphrastic” poem is one that is written in response to any piece of artwork. With these poem, we went to the MOMA to explore and find a piece of artwork that we had interest in. “Before and After” by Andy Warhol is a casein on lenin piece of two different pictures of the same woman side by side. In the left she has a bigger and more exaggerated nose in comparison to the picture of her in the right where she has an ‘average’ looking nose. I decided to write my poem with this piece because I found a connection with the struggle the woman must’ve faced with what she saw as her imperfections. I tried to highlight this in my poem by depicting the variety of emotions that went through the woman through deciding on pursuing this action. I titled it “Not for Me” to express how beyond the idea of the woman deciding to change herself, she has strong influence on this by society in order for her to be ‘perfect.’ This poem was interesting to write because beyond feeling the connection, I also envisioned the situation through many other individuals I witness daily attempting to change themselves with the guidance of society’s values.
Not for Me: (Ekphrastic Poem)
I didn’t choose the way I look,
But society controls the way I do.
Each part.
All there .
I can’t be what I want.
I’m indecisive on how I should feel
So I end up replicating.
Showing off others’ emotions as my own
As if.
I would.
Be happy.
With who i am.
After
Because it doesn’t matter the journey,
Only in others eyes,
The result.