Art & Ekphrastic Poetry Collection

Enjoy this collection of art and poetry - a collaboration between The Barn Colony Artists and the Decatur Area Poets! You will see the image from the artist, followed by the poem that was inspired by it.

Fairview Park Pavillion

by Mike Delaney

(Watercolor)

Gathering Place

by Shelly Chabak

Notched rafters beneath green

shingled roof, blend with tree canopy,

camouflage hidden pictures and branching stories

wrapped in whispering leaves

and trunks of time.

Blue sky and beams

frame old soul brown facade–

watching and welcoming us still

to sit in the shadowy cool

upon a cement-topped table.

But wait, something was left.

Are revelers setting up or leaving?

Childhood echoes of laughter

fill the openness where we sheltered,

float up among the trusses

waking baby swallows peeking from nests

to witness our gatherings.

The edges of the painting blur

in summer heat–vacant structure

a stage for tableau of sunny days:

summer camps, yellow hats, picnics,

family, friends and smiling faces.

---

Scovill Garden Pond

by Barbara Dove (Pastel)

The Brilliant Surface of Things by Stephen Frech

The world teaches us

to heed the brilliant surface of things.

You could spend your life

not knowing how deep

the pond is.

Your whole life not knowing.

The pond’s surface

—disturbed by a leaf,

or a breeze,

or a thirsty dog—

the pond’s surface returns to calm.

Sit a while.

Look closely.

The garden pond

in sunlight and shade.

The tree reaches out over the water

with one lone branch,

the only branch in bloom.

---

N. Water Street Country School House

by Elizabeth Holder (Watercolor)

Untitled

by Anastasia Lindsey

I am filled with the blue of the sky,

listening to the sway of the trees.

the school bell rings, calling for my attention,

I haven’t been as present as I should.

there is something beautiful

about the sun and how it shines today.

my world has been dark lately,

but it sure is bright today.

is this what hope feels like?

the plants greet me,

as I sit to take a rest.

I can breathe, sitting here

surrounded by so much green.

I rest my back against the bricks

that remind me of strength.

that all good things...

all good and mighty things,

they take time.

I’d like to build myself up again,

and be a place of learning

of healing.

for now, I will rest in this hope,

soaking in the blue,

breathing in the green,

and believing in myself again.

---

Beautiful Church Towers

by Betty Moser (Photography Collage)

Ecclesia

by Ron Lybarger

---

Finding Lincoln in Decatur by Betty Moser (Photography Collage)

Finding Lincoln in Decatur by Beth Langdon

Lincoln it seems can be found

All around our historic town.

Who would have guessed that we set a precedent?

A young boy that walked here, became president!

Here, he chopped trees and learned hard work…

Later, he developed his moral fiber as a law clerk.

Here, is where he grew in character and stature too.

Before seeking the head office of the red, white, and blue.

He eventually ended slavery

Itself an act of bravery.

His speech at Gettysburg, perhaps most famous of all time.

“Four score and seven years ago,” is its opening line.

For all these reasons we constructed statues in honor of the man

Who in our darkest hours, was leader of our land.

---

Untitled

by Jessica Stricklin-Disbro

(Watercolor)

James Millikin Tree

by Jim Wilkerson

you’re a young one

born on the northwest side

at the first light of day

your branches sway

in the west end wind

wielding spectrums

sprawling memories

stretch out in color

shades of green

blot the blue sky

turning the heavens turquoise

content to live in shadow

you whisper to an oak friend

of higher stature - what have you

seen beyond the horizon?

while waiting for an answer

you bend a limb

and show off

for the mother and son

walking their dog

down Millikin Place

---

Powers Mansion

by George Virgil

(Watercolor)

Greek Revival

by Roy Roberts

Our fresh from the womb nation, the great

American experiment. Who were we to be?

We mimicked the Greeks we admired –

democracy, Athena of the just war and wisdom.

If we look like them, we will be like them.

Stone column backbones to hold our beliefs,

balcony-shouting our opportunities to the world,

transom, pediments reinforcing our solid ground.

Steps beckoning all to knock and seek entrance

to our living room, our kitchen, our table.

Those who dwelt in this grandeur underwrote

growth - jobs, culture, community, prosperity.

The portico of curb appeal summoned, launching

legions of dreams, investing lives and eternity.

But, this showcase: neglected, abandoned and

auctioned, restored, then auctioned again.

Powers and Jarvis and Bachrach and – whoever.

So many square feet; so many possibilities,

Xerxes sacked the first - and unfinished - Parthenon.

Cast a weather eye, lest the furnishings rot,

columns sustaining the ruse before they

crack, stagger, and fall. History’s backpack must

be frisked at the airport - measured, weighed,

and sifted - before we can climb the wind once more.

All artwork and poetry is Copyright by the individual artists and poets. No artwork or poetry may be used without expressed written permission from the artist/poet.