An ekphrastic poem based of off the painting ¨Death of Sappho¨ By Miguel Carbonell

¨Don't do it!¨
I say to the woman standing over the rocky cliff.
¨He's not worth it!¨
Her body draped with a white, silky dress
She looks like an angel.
¨I Loved him¨
she says leaning over the cliff.
Her eyes gaze at the violent waves, her face is pale
She's scared.
The vicious wind blows against her body
as if it's trying to push her back.
The cool salty air dries her tears
and causes her garments to dance.
¨He's just one man, you'll find love again!¨
I plead with her as her voice shakes,
¨I gave him my heart, but he did not give me his¨
A Kathara sits by her feet,
Looking defeated as its song did not enchant its audience.
¨Dont, Please, dont¨ A single tear runs down my face.
¨I have nothing else to live for, this is…right.¨
She takes in a deep breath
The fresh smell of the Ocean stings her nose.
She reaches out her hand
Looking one last time for someone to hold it, but

Nothing.

¨I'm Ready¨

I say as I look down at my watery grave one last time.
Closing my eyes, I turn around
The last tear staining my face falls to the ground
beside my failed love song.
I step back with a smile on my face.
The wind rustles my dress as I fall toward my death.
The vast angry Ocean consumes my body
Dragging it into its depths, without even making a sound.
As I disappear into the darkness,
The wind stops, and the Ocean stills
Mourning My Heartbroken Death.