“The Broken Column” an imitation poem By Miranda J. Gardner & Illustration by Emily Jones Circa 2022

Professor Zeller, who teaches English 555: Ekphrasitc Poetry, collaborated with Professor Kirk's Intermediate Mixed-Media Drawing class via Central Washington University in the fall of 2022. The task for students in Professor Zeller's class was to submit any of our poems based on any of the paintings/photos from class at the midpoint in the quarter. Then, we shared them with the artists in Professor Kirk's class. The artist who chose my poem drew this introduction at the bottom. My poem is called "The Broken Column," an imitation poem based on Edward Corral's poem (there is a link to his poem in the subheading) of the same name based on Kahlo's painting "The Broken Column." Therefore, this is an ekphrastic collaboration beginning with Kahlo's artwork. Corral's Poem about Kahlo's Broken Column painting:
Corral: file:///C:/Users/mirang3/Downloads/Corral-%20after%20Kahlo-%20from%20Slow%20Lightning.pdf

1
On a chair, with the sun streaming through
the blinds allow too much light in.
In need of help, Frida paints her soul.
An orange tabby raises his voice
to get fed. He brushes her hair with his claw.
He is demanding food. She gets up
and feeds him. A silver wedding ring shimmers
on her ring finger. The fizz of sparkling water
can be heard. The turning stomach of a broken woman.

2
Once, Diego asked me to marry him. No, twice. Here's a story for you. Why is it that men and women choose to get married? Diego was married before. He promised not to betray me. How can a husband sleep with your sister? My heart was surrounded by thorns like a rose or an out-of-control blackberry bush. I need a glass of wine to write this. Once, this man offered me his heart, and I said yes. Yes, I loved him. He was a beast of a man and shared my passions. I could never love him as I love painting. Does this make sense? In bed, we slept, not near and not far away. The darkness engulfs us like when the power goes out in a storm. Our romance was a cloudburst. And he could not admit it.

3
Tell me everything.

4
I wish to find a shade of red that lasts forever. Tell me.

5
A dog runs through a bird's nest that falls through the sky. Fast. Faster. The birds in the nest flew off in different directions. A cat wrapped around my waist, scratching: warm, smoky air rushing through my soul.

6
"The end may justify the means as long as something justifies the end."
—Leon Trotsky
7
Leon sleeps!
Red sheets pulled over Frida.
A dog scratches at the door,
as they lie a minute.
It sounds like two lovers
waking up. The dog pushes
into the room and begins to lick Frida

and her fractured heart.

8
Vast vases of flowers scatter water and petals onto the wooden floor
above the dresser. Glass bottles full of wine a catalyst for pleasure.
Torn wedding photo on the rug.
Outside at night, her heart was as scorching as the sun.

Frida stares wildly at the soaked wedding photo
as if her grimace would tear the heart of Diego in two.

9
The exquisite color of roses
the color of a bloody arrow taken from a deer.

10
During a hot summer night, my lover took me to Helios with no water. My skin burned in the fire like meat cooked over a flame.
During a hot summer night, my lover took me to Helios with no water. My skin burned in the fire like meat cooked over a flame.
During a hot summer night, my lover took me to Helios with no water. My skin burned in the fire like meat cooked over a flame.

11
Frida undresses with the help of her sister.
Her heart: ready to burst
though her spine
broken.

Clutching her heart.
She's been betrayed
by her body, husband, and sister.
She doesn't have much time.
She will paint her sorrows.

12
A reflection acknowledging humanity.