Women of Algiers in their Apartment 1834, Oil on Canvas
I walk away
not to remove my dark skin
from the stark glow of your alabaster ways
or to dull the glitter of your goldenness
oh no, child, don’t be fooled
there are better things a comin’
I have better places to go
where enlightened souls illuminate
like the photosphere of the sun
I walk away
waving, hoping, dreaming, being
fingers fearlessly flipping you off
through your burnished beams of light
For Poetics at dVerse Poets Pub
Grace is bringing us inspiration for Ekphrastic poetry.
mishunderstood 
It is always fascinating how we all perceive the image so differently. I have not viewed this from that perspective before, so this was new for me. Dream big then and go to bigger and better places. Love this one Mish.
Thanks Grace. I had looked into the background of this painting and really wanted to give a voice to the woman most likely kept silent.
This is incredibly potent, Mish! The image of “stark glow of your alabaster ways,” stood out for me ❤️❤️
Thank you, Sanaa. 🙂
I love the way you have used light in this poem, Mish, such as the juxtaposition of ‘dark skin’ with ‘stark glow of your alabaster ways’ and ‘dull the glitter of your goldenness’. You and Sanaa have bothhave discovered the hope in this painting, as expressed in your lines:
‘there are better things a comin’
I have better places to go
where enlightened souls illuminate
like the photosphere of the sun’.
Love this! “Girl, bye!”
You’ve given her a voice and drawn attention to her more than anyone other in the painting. I love the title you chose to go along with.
This plunges into the thick of things, the darkness, the light, a chiaroscuro of suppressed anger and emotion, focusing on one figure in the painting. I like the way you foreground her voice,
Thank you so much. I like your synopsis!
What an interesting take on the painting. I love how you chose one of the characters in the painting to channel your poem.
I really like how you gave her a voice. And that does seem like what she’s saying.
They’re all trapped, but of course, it’s worse for her.
Nice one.
Much💜love
I like the perspective you took on this one, Mish.
Ah, if only any of them could get up and go. If only there had been anywhere for women on their own, property of a sultan all of them. I liked your use of light too, and the different interpretation of the painting.
Really enjoyed this … from your unique point of view, from the subject’s point of view! Well done, Mish!
Good one, Mish!
Fantastic metaphor here, or whatever figure of speech you have employed.
the stark glow of your alabaster ways
or to dull the glitter of your goldenness
I love your focus here on the woman who is walking away. She is the one who stands out even as she’s leaving with a dismissive wave.