Benevolent Angel

Benevolence is but one of my
many names: Bringer of
Benefaction, Altruistic Angel,
Seraphin of Sustenance,
Master of Magnanimity.

My portraits are all taken
in the midst of my fine
tour en l’air, my second best
tour en seconde, and only
occasionally, if ever, during
my workman-like pirouette.

Philanthropic Purveyor
of Simpatico, I come
dancing, twirling,
always at your aid.

~Roy Beckemeyer

“Benevolent Angel” is one of a series of ekphrastic poems written in response to depictions of angels by artists. The poetry collection forthcoming as Amanuensis Angel, 2018, Spartan Press.

Image of Leonard Baskin’s etching, “Benevolent Angel,” provided by and used with permission of Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Mrs. John M. Schlein © Leonard Baskin Estate, Courtesy Galerie St. Etienne.

“Type O, Premature,” features original textile art by Malissa Long Wilson. My poem was written as an ekphrastic piece inspired by her artwork. The image seemed to me to be very organic and put me in mind of the tragedy of miscarriage. After I sent her the poem, Malissa shared with me that the piece was one she did during her recovery from cancer. We hope you find this broadside as emotionally charged as we did.

~Roy Beckemeyer

My poem, “The Mystery of Disappearing Bees,” alludes to science’s continuing ignorance of the causes of colony collapse disorder, the tragic and poorly understood phenomenon that threatens bee populations across the world. I think that Skyler Lovelace’s artwork is simultaneously powerful and poignant and that the poem and art here reinforce one another exquisitely. Thanks for collaborating, Skyler.

~ Roy Beckemeyer

Here is another Wichita Broadside Project entry, this one a piece in which Skyler Lovelace responded to a poem of mine. I like the way the pattern and words and colors all fade away from top to bottom in fitting with the subject of the poem.

~Roy Beckemeyer

This broadside was done by my wife and me and is a combination of her lovely digital drawing of flowers and my verse. Her drawing has this lovely graceful impressionistic feel to it and reveals her Master Gardener flair for color and form. My poem attempts to capture the rhythm and feel of old romantic verse. We hope you like it.

`Roy Beckemeyer

[Click on the broadside to enlarge the image.]

Another in my series of collaborations with artists as part of April Pameticky’s 2017 Wichita Broadside Project. This one, “The Moon Rose,” comprises a poem I wrote in response to Melissa Smith’s delightful pen and ink drawing. It brought to mind children’s book depictions of the man in the moon, and the tree that disappears into the sky high overhead seemed to represent every tree I had ever climbed or wanted to climb as a kid.

~ Roy Beckemeyer

Broadside art and text copyright by Melissa Smith and Roy J. Beckemeyer. Original 12 by 18 inches with 11 by 17-inch crop lines.