This poem is an ekphrastic response to a digital painting created by the artist, Nathan May. It was written as an unpublished paper, the text remains, and with some revisions, the poem itself remains one of my favourite light-hearted pieces.
NF May “The Last Knight” (n.d.)
The Last Knight
When the full moon dips its head among those clouds the speck of shattered lights reveals who you are. Suddenly, everything around you is black and only your shadow flies across the moon.
Why did you turn your head away from the light? Is it sadness from a broken heart, from the world of suffering, or the pain of a shattered dream?
There are some things real about you.
Your weather-beaten face
bears the endless burning
of the ferocious sun.
Your rugged skin and deep wrinkles
hold the memories that time refused to erase.
You’re tired and weary, ignoring the wind that freezes every fibre of your being.
Are you waiting for something worth holding on to? Is it a miracle that will never come?
You seem almost invisible, yet you are in plain sight on a parched landscape.
A nameless mysterious soul– an ancient and medieval kind.
Perhaps you came here to beg for shelter, for food, a drink of water, a warm place to sleep.
The stench of dried sweat clinging to your robe is like an old faithful friend keeping you warm.
You bob your head down to hide your face from the lights.
No one should see you. No one knows who you are, or what you become.
Your long beard grizzled with white and grey, cradles your broad masculine jaws. You stand in a vast and fabled soil– spiritless, frazzled, and gaunt.
But here, the artist in front of this canvas
perfected a hand stroke that brought you to life.
Perhaps, it is the young artist’s high spirit
and his dream of chivalry that brings you here.
You are the last Knight. He wants you to live again to fight your war.
You won the toughest battles so, what are you fighting for this time?
Who are you?
Are you the boy who drew the blade from the earth the immortal king, worthy of the crown?
Did you return
to win back what was once yours?
Have you healed the wounds
of betrayal and sins?
The dark and barbaric wars under your feet were swiftly blown away by the restless wind.
And– Did you know, The empyrean kingdom of Camelot had perished many thousands of years ago,
Your Highness.
–Ninagracia
Till next time.
Cheers!
Source:
May, N. (2021). CWG200 Writing Poetry [Unpublished Paper] Curtin University.
The holidays are a time for laughter, warmth, and those little moments that make family life wonderfully chaotic. In this poem, I’ve captured the joy, the chaos, and the tenderness of these special days— from bumpy bus rides and overfed children going astray. I remembered that even before our holiday started, my parents were already arguing about one thing—food. The bus trip would be long, the stops brief, and according to Mum, hunger was simply not allowed.
–Ninagracia
Wishing you all a holiday season filled with laughter, love, and happy memories with friends and families.
Till next time
Reference:
May, N. (2021, August 10). A2 poetry portfolio and reflection: CWG100 creative writing, Curtin University [Unpublished paper]. Curtin University.
Some quotes and sayings help us see familiar things fresh, inspiring us to rethink, feel, and dream. These reflections are gentle reminders to live more fully, love more deeply, and listen more closely to the quiet wisdom within.
A perfect kiss happens when two hearts take control.
A perfect kiss is more than just a touch or passion; it is a promise, a whisper of souls, and two hearts connecting in mutual love, trust, and surrender.
Be the person you want to be.
You are the artist holding the brush, painting yourself with courage and shaping your destiny until the reflection you see is the one you have long dreamed of and the best version of yourself, instead of waiting for a change to happen.
Dance under the stars and enjoy the silence of the night.
Live the moment and cherish nature’s beauty, calmness, and simplicity. Let the night be your stage and the stars your audience, in the quiet darkness, twirling freely, unburdened and alive.
Don’t ask how long love will last, nor doubt if love is less.
Love is a living, breathing force—timeless, tender, and true, cherishing what exists now, without measure, and comparing its sparkle to the past.
Each step is worthwhile even though it takes a mile.
Every small step carries a dream, and each footprint marks your courage to keep moving, even when progress feels slow; every effort adds to a meaningful journey.
Give your life every reason to live.
Fill your days with joy and laughter, and your nights with wonder and peace. Embody it with purpose and passion. It’s a garden where you can savour the air and enjoy everything surrounding you.
Music eases the mind and puts all worries behind.
When music wraps around the heart, it whispers what words cannot—it comforts restless souls and helps weary thoughts find peace.
Take time to listen when someone’s heart is in misery.
The kindest gift we can offer someone is to listen and allow another heart to breathe its pain.
Think like you are the boss when sending your message across.
Let your words stand tall, not in pride but with self-assurance and clarity. What comes from conviction carries its own quiet power.
We all play a significant role in protecting our homes from disasters and imminent dangers by ensuring they are safe, clean, and beautiful. But what about our real home?
HE posted an ad — Urgent! — “For sale: The Blue Marble.” It is surprisingly cheap; it’s a steal, so be quick.
Take a tour of the Earth and drift through distant space. Its location is brilliant — the third rock from the sun. This fantastic planet is simple and elegant; It’s divine, it’s heavenly — only five billion years.
Do you see the clouds rolling across the bright, clear sky? The ocean is blue, like a soft, early-morning hue. The open land is vast and deeply mysterious; Like a naked soul, it dazzles and remains noble.
The vast continents are mountainous and mightier; Like a strange, distant lover, they’re farther and higher. The landscapes of the islands are deeply melodic; Like timeless classic music — perfect and exquisite.
The grand and picturesque streams flow into waterfalls, Dancing like ballerinas in rhythmic motion. Whilst the chilled, romantic rivers meander softly Beneath the sunset’s fiery red and orange glint.
The owner will sell to a conscientious buyer. The wealth is unlimited — a gift beyond measure. There are complex challenges for the new owner: To bring unity to future generations.
The tenants have lived here for a million years or more. A great number will come, and a great many will go. The Earth has endured through humanity’s ambition, But the tenants seem unconcerned — it isn’t kind, it’s torn.
The climate is changing, and Earth is getting hotter. It’s your home — it’s precious — it needs care and protection.
—Ninagracia
Till next time,
Cheers
References
Blue Marble – Image of the Earth from Apollo 17. (2007, November 30). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov
I hear so much anger all about me When a scarlet glow burns me to a crisp A strong cyclone crushes my glorious land Then a severe drought shed leaves in stress.
When a fierce earthquake shakes my restless core The avenging floods purge out the debris To the half-conscious, guilt is deep-seated But to a hungry child, nothing matters.
It’s hard to imagine when hope is lost When the justice system is colour-blind Your abstract knowledge could destroy my home Like a roaring landslide of earth and stones.
A once green meadow now dried and barren I ask the nimbus clouds to block the sun Then the mighty ocean yells in despair Those toxic wastes are poison to my gut!
My quest for love, peace, and equality It is like a river, sluggish and stagnant I call the storms to clean the air and skies But the wild tsunami engulfs the land.
The breadth of the sea under the ocean Is a paradise with a velvet view Don’t use me as a weapon for your gain My home is Xanadu, where dreams are real.
It is your home yearning for unity To reach its zenith is a distant dream.
—Ninagracia
Till next time. Stay safe and take care of each other.
A few, many days at home and no place to go. Regardless of whether our mood to write has been pretty good or not, let us rev up our writing activities to lift our spirits once more.
These pictures may bring about stories in our minds or stir up memories of an event or emotion. The drawings are cheery, sweet, and somewhat silly, but funny. Along with this is a poem that may help us energise our writing activities. The quirky humour in the poetry may tickle our funny bones and spark our creative writing. You know, it’s like that sudden flash of light.
So here we go. Let’s all get started.
Caroline lives in a beautiful house
in a lovely street close to the doghouse.
She is too stingy to buy a clothesline
she’d rather dine with wine than pay a dime.
She hangs her washing every single day
at the backyard fence for the entire day.
Come hail and storm, or a drizzle of rain,
she whined and wailed, but she never refrained.
One stormy day, her jeans got blown away
flying, floating, trying to get away.
A dog chased the jeans to the nearby park
up high on the tree, he aimed for his mark.
Caroline cried, and she screamed at the dog
“Leave my jeans alone,” she ordered the dog.
“The cops are coming; you’ll be thrown in jail
for stealing my jeans; they’ll cut your toenail.”
A good Sergeant Woof promised Caroline.
“Let me take care of this, Miss Caroline.
I will handle your case with utmost care
I’ll make the dog pay, or I’ll shave his hair.”
“Why did you put me in jail, Sergeant Woof?
I didn’t steal the jeans; it’s mine, Sergeant Woof.
I paid for it, but I lost my receipt
I bought it at the shop on Kanine Street.
It’s true, it’s true; my name is Caroline.
And once again, my name is Caroline,
That pair of jeans is mine and truly mine.
I did not steal the jeans from Calvin Klein.”
Ninagracia
Have fun writing. Till next time. Stay safe and take care of each other.
Let us take a break to breathe in some air, drop our shoulders to relax, and let us celebrate the little moments that make our lives glitter and colourful.
Today, our beautiful cousin is celebrating her birthday.
This is the milestone in her life and to be with friends and family that she adores would complete her day.
From all of us, here’s a gift of poetry specially written for you…
Amid all the noise and fear happening around us, let us remember that the grass is always green where the sun shines.
Let us take a break to breathe in some air, drop our shoulders to relax, and let us celebrate the little moments that make our lives glitter and colourful.
Today, a beautiful lady close to my heart is celebrating her birthday.
This is the milestone in her life and being with friends and family that she adores would complete her day. But today, she chose to celebrate it at home with her children.
From all of us, here’s a gift of poetry specially written for you…
If we can only choose our birthday, many of us would select Valentine’s Day as the day of our birthday.
Lucky for those who are celebrating their birthdays today because it will always be remembered by friends and families.
When your sister is celebrating her birthday, it is always a challenge to find the right way to express how much she means to you.
So, your sister could be skinny but gentle, loving and affectionate, still unmarried, sassy but a cranky old lady, impossibly stubborn, sometimes moody but caring and fun-loving…
Oops! I just described my sister.
So, sister, we’re here to tell you Happy Birthday and Happy Valentines Day to you.
