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Beauty Exists So Close to Agony
From R. Clift, comes her first collection of ekphrastic poetry. This book was written during visits to the Walker Art Gallery, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Tate Liverpool, Tate Britain, and The National Gallery in London during her travels abroad in February 2022.
Ekphrastic poetry is a conversation between poetry and art. The poet interprets the art and then creates a narrative that represents their reaction to it. It is one of the oldest forms of writing, with its meaning having originated in ancient Greece.
From speaking to the artwork itself to becoming the voice of some sculpture or painting- R. Clift explores perspective, themes beyond the canvas or surface of marble, and what it means to authentically experience, react, and relate to art.
rcliftpoetry.com @r.cliftpoetry
Ekphrastic poetry is a conversation between poetry and art. The poet interprets the art and then creates a narrative that represents their reaction to it. It is one of the oldest forms of writing, with its meaning having originated in ancient Greece.
From speaking to the artwork itself to becoming the voice of some sculpture or painting- R. Clift explores perspective, themes beyond the canvas or surface of marble, and what it means to authentically experience, react, and relate to art.
rcliftpoetry.com @r.cliftpoetry
64 pages, Paperback
Published March 21, 2022
About the author
R. Clift
15 books32 followersRachel Clift is a writer, traveler, photographer, & artist based in the mountains of East Tennessee.
She began this journey of writing poetry in 2017 and has published seven books since the summer of 2019.
In the writing world, she is known as R. Clift or The Constellation Poet. More than anything, she longs to inspire people— in some way, somehow, to love who they are and live life courageously.
She began this journey of writing poetry in 2017 and has published seven books since the summer of 2019.
In the writing world, she is known as R. Clift or The Constellation Poet. More than anything, she longs to inspire people— in some way, somehow, to love who they are and live life courageously.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 22, 2023
Firstly, the aesthetic of this pocket-sized book is absolute perfection. I love the appearance of this book very much.
This collection is truly an experience. I adored looking up each art piece as I read. A lot of the art I had never seen before, which I believe made it all the more special.
Like her collection "Your Thoughts Deserve a Decent Place to Live", R. Clift takes a style or form of writing completely different to her own and makes it hers (all the while remaining respectful of the traditional form).
Her explorations of Ekphrasis poetry are conversations with artists long dead and introspections as an artist herself. She also cleverly writes of how the art stands in the room or gallery and the relationships pieces have with one another.
This collection perfectly highlights one of R. Clift's best qualities as a poet - an understanding and perspective on not only what the world is, but all of the wonderful things it could be.
She truly breathes life and emotion into every art piece of which she draws her inspiration. It is a showcase of her empathy. Page 31, the poem "SHE STRAINS TO HEAR THE MUSIC" is my favourite of the collection.
This book is my new personal favourite by R. Clift. The imagery, metaphor and flow of each piece is simply beautiful. You would not expect for such a small series of poems to have so very much to say - but that is the beauty of it. It, like art, contains multitudes.
I simply adore it and hope for more.
This collection is truly an experience. I adored looking up each art piece as I read. A lot of the art I had never seen before, which I believe made it all the more special.
Like her collection "Your Thoughts Deserve a Decent Place to Live", R. Clift takes a style or form of writing completely different to her own and makes it hers (all the while remaining respectful of the traditional form).
Her explorations of Ekphrasis poetry are conversations with artists long dead and introspections as an artist herself. She also cleverly writes of how the art stands in the room or gallery and the relationships pieces have with one another.
This collection perfectly highlights one of R. Clift's best qualities as a poet - an understanding and perspective on not only what the world is, but all of the wonderful things it could be.
She truly breathes life and emotion into every art piece of which she draws her inspiration. It is a showcase of her empathy. Page 31, the poem "SHE STRAINS TO HEAR THE MUSIC" is my favourite of the collection.
This book is my new personal favourite by R. Clift. The imagery, metaphor and flow of each piece is simply beautiful. You would not expect for such a small series of poems to have so very much to say - but that is the beauty of it. It, like art, contains multitudes.
I simply adore it and hope for more.
April 17, 2022
Very good. Different from what Rachel wrote before but still great poems.
April 28, 2024
A poet with an impressionist heart and womanly agony
February 8, 2026
Loved the concept for this book! Enjoyed looking up the pieces of art that went with each poem
January 9, 2023
Rachel has a natural poetic mind! This was my first time reading an ekphrastic poetry collection, and I absolutely adore this concept! I loved reading poetry inspired by art. The pieces were so beautifully crafted, and I look forward to reading more from this author soon!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews