The Mooresville Art Gallery in North Carolina turned the idea of Ekphrastic Writing on its head. Usually ekphrastic writing is based on a work of art, a la the book The Girl with the Pearl Earring, written by Tracy Chevalier, which is based on the subject in a painting by Vermeer. However, Mooresville challenged artists to do the opposite – create a work of art based on a piece of writing. My poem, about a clock that resides in our Bois Blanc Island, Michigan cottage inspired two artists, Sue Edwards and Sandy Eaton, to create sculptures.
The poem:
THE TIMEKEEPER by Mary Struble Deery
The clunky plastic clock was a cast-off when it moved into the family cottage— passed along from the Maltbys, who left the island. This abandoned timekeeper has a prominent position perched atop the orange antiqued bookshelf in the great room.
After flipping on the breakers in the spring when the cottage is opened, we twist the knob protruding from her back until her hands inform the time. With gold curlicue embellishments decorating her face, she has hummed away, and pointed accurately for many summers.
But now, after many years, she is entering a new stage. Her vocals seem bewildered. In her confusion, she rings nine times when it’s actually eight. The only times the count is right are noon and midnight.
While her voice innocently trips over truthful time, her proud face carries on as if nothing is wrong. She keeps us on our toes. We take note, tally, and tune into the six o’clock news at seven chimes.
We count each ding and then make the mental correction. We listen, adjust, and accept. This will be our own wish someday—gentle understanding when confusion reigns.
