Lemons in a Bowl
by Alix Jackson, Melbourne Girls Grammar
Years 7 – 8 Ekphrastic Poetry Finalist
‘Lemons in a Bowl’ by Helene Schjerfbeck (1934–1944)
A bowl filled with lemons
Is all I need to grant me happiness
During rough times
And tough times
Whenever I feel blue
I look at this simple concoction
It calls to me, “Don’t cry”
My stomach bubbles up
And I let out a smile
My mind asks-
What is so heartwarming about this simple work?
The answer is nature, that’s what counts
This really white colour on the weirdly shaped bowl,
That’s not what I care about
It’s nature that makes me optimistic
An abundance of bright yellow lemons
Is this a sign? A symbol?
That life doesn’t have to be sad all the time?
Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows
But when I look at this bowl of lemons
I feel like it is