Several things inspire me to write poetry. Some of the most powerful are images – paintings, photos, even a scene from everyday life or nature.
A few weeks ago, when I saw a painting by Yaw Safori, an amazing Ghanaian artist, the words came tumbling out. He has kindly allowed me to share the painting titled “Noblest Virtues” and my poem.

The Noblest Virtues
A Poem inspired by the eponymous painting by Yaw Safori

Peel back the layers,
Of color and strokes!
Beneath the layers of oils,
Pilled mindfully on canvass,
You’ll find me.

This unkind world,
Has forced a shield,
To grow around the soul,
That lets in no light,
That leaks no tears.

Yet below the hardness,
That bares its teeth,
In pointed defiance,
With steely defense,
Lies a lake.

A lake in which swims,
Love, care, and affection,
Wisdom and determination,
Truth, dignity, and purpose,
Courage and selflessness.

A lake!
Full of the noblest virtues,
Is what you’ll find
If you peel back the layers,
Around my soul.

I discovered the work of the incomparable Ghanaian artist Edem Dedi through a post by Whitney Hammel. Since then, I have been hooked.
One particular untitled piece of his struck a chord in me. I contacted him. He said it was inspired by a picture he once saw.
I told him his untitled painting that was inspired by a picture he once saw, had inspired a poem. He allowed me to post the painting and the poem.
I call it…

The Eternal Warriors
Inspired by an Untitled Painting by Edem Dedi

With the signature helmets on,
Those with the pointed horns,
They come prepared.
Loin clothes tied,
And bras strapped on,
They are ready to go.

Cocky and self-sure,
They stand tall and unafraid.
Hesitant yet quite curious,
Their minds search and ponder.
Patient and open to all,
They are adventurous and brave.

The blotches of color,
Dancing across the canvass,
Are as diverse as their roles.
Each day they fight —
For themselves, each other and all women.
For their families and their nation.
They are forever the Eternal Warriors.