Ekphrasis XV 2026 Online Exhibition
SET 5. Artist Initiators and their Writer Responders, cont.
SET 5
N. SHANTI BENOIT, The Well. Response by writer: LESLIE WAHLQUIST: Belle and the Wishing Well..
O. SHARON GARNER, Red Tail Hawk, photograph. Response by author MATTHEW SYDNEY LONG: Messenger of Complicity.
P. STEPHEN GARNER, Get a Grip, Acrylic on ceramic disc Response by NORMA WATKINS: The Night the Monster Came.
Q. DEBRA LENNOX, On to Victory. Response by author MAUREEN EPSTEIN: Instruction.
SET 5. Artist Initiators and their Writer Responders, cont.
SET 5
N. SHANTI BENOIT, The Well. Response by writer: LESLIE WAHLQUIST: Belle and the Wishing Well..
O. SHARON GARNER, Red Tail Hawk, photograph. Response by author MATTHEW SYDNEY LONG: Messenger of Complicity.
P. STEPHEN GARNER, Get a Grip, Acrylic on ceramic disc Response by NORMA WATKINS: The Night the Monster Came.
Q. DEBRA LENNOX, On to Victory. Response by author MAUREEN EPSTEIN: Instruction.
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N. SHANTI BENOIT, The Well. Acrylic on canvas |
N. Response by writer: LESLIE WAHLQUIST: Belle and the Wishing Well.. |
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Belle fell in the wishing well Mid-summer, when the land did swell With sweet flowers, ah the smell Scented breeze across the dell When Belle fell in the wishing well We heard a splash, but ne’er a yell Ran to the barn and rang the bell But she was gone—we said, oh hell What’s it like, there, is it swell? Do you feel peace in every cell? We know, we know, you cannot tell Because you are in the wishing well |
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O. Initiating Artist SHARON GARNER, Red Tail Hawk, photograph. |
O. Response by author MATTHEW SYDNEY LONG: Messenger of Complicity. |
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I am a hawk. I am not complicit. You are America. You are complicit. I soar through the sky. You punch down. I dive in the river. You colonize for profit. I am a messenger. You are a repeat offender. You mean electing him again? Yes that’s exactly what I mean. I am a hawk. I did not vote for him. You are America. You did it multiple times. I kill to eat. You murder billions of animals. I care for my young. You don’t if they can’t afford it. I am a guardian. You are an individualistic consumer. You mean not acknowledging that the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members? Yes that’s exactly what I mean. It’s why I stare at you. I will not avert my gaze. |
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P. In response NORMA WATKINS authored The Night the Monster Came. “You can come down now, Ma’am.”
“Did you catch it?” “Catch what?” the officer said. “The monster. Please don’t shine that light on me.” “Sorry, Ma’am. Trying to help you get out of that tree. You’ve cut yourself.” The light went off. Had she? Her cheek did sting. When she’d seen the horror at the window, she’d leapt naked from bed and run out the back door. “Did you catch it?” “What’s that?” “The thing at the window.” She heard a soft chuckle. “We found your son, yes.” My son?” In her terror, she’d forgotten all about him. The police officer turned his light on a smallish boy. “Your monster.” “Arnold?” Fury made her forget how cold she was. Arnold wouldn’t look up. “Show your ma,” the policeman said. Arnold put a bulbous object over his face. All horns and teeth—the monster. “Says he made it,” the officer said. “Out of empty juice bottles,” the boy said. “Arnold,” Miriam said, “go in the house and bring me my robe from the back of the bathroom door.” When he returned, the police officer tossed the garment up. Miriam caught it on the third try, managed to get it on without falling, and climbed awkwardly down. |
P. STEPHEN GARNER, the Artist Initiator, painted Get a Grip, in acrylic on a ceramic disk 
After thanking the officer, she and Arnold sat in the kitchen drinking cocoa. “Don’t ever do that again, Arnold. You could have given me a heart attack. How did you make that thing, anyway?”
“Melted plastic bottles together and painted it.” “Melted them how?” He looked ashamed. “On the stove.” “Where was I?” “In your room reading. I made it during quiet time.” Miriam had invented quiet time: two hours every afternoon. “You could have killed me, Arnold, or burned the house down.” “You run fast, Mom. Climb good, too.” |
Q. Artist DEBRA LENNOX, initiated with On to Victory. |
Poet MAUREEN EPSTEIN responded with Instruction. Hold fast to the reins, O rider of the Fire Horse. In this year of turbulence, stay firm in your resolve. Be not distracted by titillating headlines trumpeting new mendacities, nor trumped-up smears that denigrate our purpose. Beside you We the People raise the tattered banner of the Constitution. Manage well your steed’s intensity lest in its zeal it singe that cause we love. Direct his passion to protecting our one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. |
Set 6
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R. MARALEE GREENE initiating artist,
created Cross Flight a ceramic wall hanging |
R. In response, PRICILLA COMEN authored My Birds
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S. SHANTI BALSé initiating artist
photographed Camel Procession T. KATHY CARL, art initiator: River's Edge
R. MARALEE GREENE, initiating artist,
created Cross Flight a ceramic wall hanging 
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S. Responding, BETH SPENCER wrote
The Dromedary Would Like a Few Words. T. Responding author SUSAN FISHER: Becoming
R. In response, PRICILLA COMEN authored My Birds
From Red Shafted-Flicker To Great Gray Owl they all come And Robins run To dig for worms As Spring returns More real than on the bird book page. They spit the berry pits away. Cassins Finch six inches long She sings her cheerful song. They bring the news I need to know They help my heart to grow. Doves, lovers, mate for life We loved seventy years as husband and wife. Stellars Jay is always King With crown upon his head. Sparrows flit from tree to tree And never go to bed. Fat cat from across the street Thinks they might be good to eat… No! No! No! They’re my birds! |
