New Art in the Bruce Collection
Thing with Feathers
Norma Johnsen
Acrylic, 8" x 8", 2026
An Ekphrastic Poem is a literary description of or commentary on a visual work of art. I wrote the following Ekphrastic poem about Thing with Two Feathers. I selected it from the show because I am attracted to blocks of color. And I recalled from the Adam's Family that Thing can be a character. I wrote the poem for a May 23, 2026 poetry reading where this painting was on display at the Oak Street Lofts Gallery, 72 Oak Street, Portland, Maine 04102. It a a fine time.
Thing with Feathersby Bruce McMillan
Thing, is that you, in your crimson red dress,
holding a bird with violet feathers?
Yet, wing flapping gives it a new color,
Violent Violet. No tethers,
your chin is getting in the way, tilting
back, eh? Looking up. Yet you hold on tight,
while Blue Man looks on. He finds it jilting,
wondering where this is going? Will Thing
release her violet violent bird?
Does this sunny yellow bright day beckon
its release, its freedom. Does Blue Man see
Violet's future? What does he reckon?
The answer, easy to see, will it fly?
Dear viewer, it's at the center. Look at
Violent Violet straight in the eye
for this bird will fly. Determined. Look.
Rhyming Scheme
A
B *
C
B *
D **
E
D **
F
G
H ***
I
H ***
J ****
K
J ****
L
Meter Scheme
8 beats / line
