I’m pleased to share that I wrote my first ekphrastic microfiction, “Yon Frederick,” which was published in the The Ekphrastic Review on May 6, 2022.
As soon as I saw the prompt painting come across my email, I immediately heard “Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look” in my head. I looked up the relevant passage in Julius Caesar and took it from there!
I also created this video, just for fun.
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Elizabeth Gauffreau 
I really like what you did with this story. Yon Frederick is a great character name. He does have that look like he is hiding something!
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Thank you very much, Dwight! This was one of popped-into-my-head deals.
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Those are often the best inspiration!
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Absolutely!
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Ha! You nailed it, Liz. Definitely something not right with that kid.
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Thank you very much, Audrey! That kid creeped me out as soon as I set eyes on him.
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An excellent first. With a perfect opening line.
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Thank you very much, Tim!
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Congratulations Liz. I loved it. A charming piece.
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Thank you, Suzette! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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My pleasure indeed, Liz. Cheers.
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Loved it Liz, great video.
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Thank you, Paul! I’m glad you enjoyed the video.
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Very much so
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Ghastly.
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Hopefully, it didn’t give you nightmares. 🙂
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Oh, Liz what a story! Loved the narration too. Morbid little boy!
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Thank you, Marina! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story.
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Very very much!!! 🙏😘🌷
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😀
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😘🤗
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He does look like a nasty boy. Your poem hits the nail on the head. Well done!!
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Thank you very much, Darlene!
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Love this, Liz — perfect short characterization!
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Thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Congratulations, Liz! I haven’t been checking the Ekphrastic Review regularly. You really nailed this. He does look sly. . .and well. . .evil. Great job with the video, too!
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Thank you, Merril! Most of the Ekphrastic Review prompts don’t speak to me. This one sure did.
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I can see it did!
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I love it Liz! You pulled it all together perfectly.
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Thank you, Dorothy! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story.
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Very charming presentation, Liz
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Thank you, Jo!
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Excellent, Liz. I think you nailed the look on Fredrick’s face.
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Thank you, John!
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😊
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Yikes, Liz! Expert words and video about “the evil that men do.” Well, in this case a boy.
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Thanks, Dave! (Evil chortle . . . )
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🙂
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I love it!! Yon Frederick is a great name and a fun character!! You did a great job!! Way to go!!
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Thank you very much, Sue! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story.
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“Beware the boy who dons lace collar with no complaint.” Perfect! Says all you need to know about this kid. continue…
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Thanks, Tony!
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I believe they call this ‘noir’? You did it quite well.
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The 19th-century version of noir, perhaps! Thank you very much, GP.
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Oh my gosh, Liz, that was so dark! I loved it. Congrats on the publication. 🙂
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Thank you very much, Diana! Hopefully, this story got the “dark” out of my system–but probably not. 🙂
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Ha ha ha. It really surprised me. Going dark (in our writing) can be really fun.
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Evil chuckle, steepled fingertips . . .
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Lol
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Dark indeed and realistic, my sister once accused our brother of being responsible for the death of one of her Guineapigs.
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Not from feeding the guinea pig rhubarb leaves, I hope. Thank you for reading and commenting, Janet.
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This is wonderful, Liz, a perfect fit. Congratulations!
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Thank you very much, Steven!
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My pleasure. 🙂
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Wow, intense and ever so dark! Well done, Liz. You really captured the essence of the painting and created a memorable story. To top it off, your video is perfect! Bravo!
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Thank you very much on all counts, Gwen!
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Oh, my! But good job, Liz.
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Thank you, Becky!
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You’re welcome, Liz. I certainly admire how you’re always willing to try new things in your writing!
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I admire that about Liz too Becky!!
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Thank you, Sue!
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Yes!
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Thank you, Becky! I was never this adventurous with my writing until I became a part of the blogging community.
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That’s a good sign!
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Yes, and I’m grateful for it!
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Your rendition reminds me of The Dreadful Story of Harriet and the matches from Struwwelpeter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWDYs5ouqYA
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This was my favourite book as a child and my MIL nearly died of horror when I ordered it from Amazon for Greg.
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From what you’ve shared about the book, I can understand why your mother-in-law was horrified that you bought it for Greg.
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Well, my father gave it to me as a girl so I didn’t see a problem 😹. My MIL is very non-confrontational and sweet, she wouldn’t like most of the books I like to read.
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Makes sense to me, since your dad gave it to you!
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I remember your writing about the Struwwelpeter.
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I have two copies now, this book still fascinated me.
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PS my dad gave me this book because I used to suck my thumb, and there is a story about the ‘Tailor’ who cuts of the thumbs of children who suck them. It was intended as a lesson for me. Sadly, I loved the book and didn’t give up sucking my thumb until I was 10.
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One of my cousins sucked two fingers until she was seven or so. Perhaps her mother should have gotten her the book.
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Haha, it made no difference to my thumb sucking. I read Struwwelpeter at quite a young age as I started reading at 4.
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Smart kid. You must have known that no one was going to cut off your thumbs.
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Haha, I had my dad wrapped around my finger. I still do. One of my ex boyfriends told me when we ended our relationship that he would never measure up to my dad.
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🙂
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Oh, dark and intense! Excellent job, Liz!
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Thank you, Eugi!
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Most welcome, Liz!
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I love when my muse talks to me! As she did when you saw that picture. I was truly enjoying the poem–enticing, engaging, perfect music–and then came the ending. Yikes!
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Thank you, Jacqui! (Hopefully you weren’t too traumatized by the ending.)
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This is wonderful, Liz. I especially enjoyed the video – the tone of your voice was marvellous. Congrats on another publication, too!
(oh, but you killed bunnies!😢)
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Thank you, Chris. Yon Frederick bears watching . . .
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😱
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It is said that every picture paints a story; surely, this story paints a picture! Well done!
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Thank you very much, Linda!
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Wow, this is absolutely wonderful, Liz! Great prompt usage 🙂
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Thank you very much, Damyanti!
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A wonderful video Liz. Thank you for the introduction to John Bradley. I had to look up this painting but could find very little about this painting or John Bradley. He was rather a mystery. You have now immortalized Young Boy Feeding Rabbits for me.
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Not in a traumatic way, I hope!
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Never!!! You take me to interesting places!! It is always an adventure.
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Whew!
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Well done, Liz! And thank you for creating the video. It was fun to hear you read while I read 🙂
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Thank you, Marie! I’m so glad you enjoyed the video.:D
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“A hollow victory, to be sure.” 😃
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Heh heh . . .
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Great piece Liz. Supported by a wonderful video . Loved the post.
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Thank you very much, Goff! I’m so glad you enjoye the post.
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Well done!! I love the audio, Liz!!
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Thank you so much, Suzanne!
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My pleasure!
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I’ve had week at work, but I finally got a chance to watch the video. I loved it! I’m inspired to try microfiction now.
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Thank you very much, Bonnie! I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and you’re inspired to try microfiction yourself!
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Excellent ekphrastic piece, Liz. You just knew he wasn’t feeding those rabbits something good!
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Thank you very much, Eilene!
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👏👏👏
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Thank you, Therese!
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Congratulations!!! Such a sinister story–in such a good way. Well done!
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Thank you very much, Cecelia! That means a lot coming from you.
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Liz, as I mentioned before, this is so dark. I kind of didn’t expect it of you ;)! OTOH, thank you for this! And it’s so inspiring because now I want to try my hand at one of these.
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I look forward to reading your dark tale!
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It might not be dark! I’ll see what happens when I try to micro with art!
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Just for fun is good, too!
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Dark but quite good, Liz. I enjoyed this!
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Thank you, Jennie! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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You’re welcome!
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Well, Liz, you and I have experienced a shared first. You’ve written an engaging first piece of ekphrastic microfiction—and thanks to you, I’ve just read an engaging first piece of ekphrastic microfiction!
Lately I’ve been seeing mention of that genre, but I’d never before taken time to check into it. What a perfect introduction you’ve given me. (I kept wondering whether he was feeding the rabbits to fatten them for supper, no matter how “beloved.” I’d be nervous if that boy lived next door.)
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Thank you, Ranee! I’m glad you enjoyed “Yon Frederick.” You’re that he bears watching. I hate to think what he grew up to be.
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Brilliant Liz, your opening had me hooked (and in agreement :-)), and if Hitchcock was a painter, this is what he would have painted ~ with your words taking it from there. Wonderful.
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Thank you so much, Randall! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Wow! Intense, Liz! Excellent write, and I enjoyed listening to you recite it!
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Thank you very much, Resa! I’m so glad you enjoyed my little outing into the macabre.
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I went to the site, but no likes and I couldn’t comment! Just want you to know I went there!
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Thank you for letting me know, Resa!
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Erm…am a bit embarrassed to say I’d never heard of the word “ekphrastic” before today. So thanks for (A) expanding my vocabulary, and (B) treating us to a wonderful written/spoken piece.
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You’re most welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Well done, Liz. You crafted a great characterization.
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Thank you, Mark! I’m glad you enjoyed the trip to Creepy Town.
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Horrid boy!
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Indeed he is!
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Superb, Liz! What a wonderful interpretation of a very weird picture!! You’ve made me smile. Meryl
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Thank you so much, Meryl! I’m so glad you enjoyed my little outing to the weird side.
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