The subject for an ekphrastic poem, shows a bizarre painting, resembling a human head in an obvious state of mental or electrical shock, with multi-colored outlines, and staccato geometric figures inside and outside the skull.  The poor guy is abuzz with apparent noise, electrical shock or stressful thoughts.  The eyes are wide, the mouth is open, the ear encircled with erratic lines and colors.  What is the viewer to think?  

The picture appears as disturbing to the observer, as it must be to the subject.  It reminds me of someone who just experienced a jangling noise, like standing too close to a giant gong when struck, or an electric shock, like coursing electric current through one’s veins — frazzled, agitated, unhinged.

In my poem below, I related the image as someone who is overwrought with the omnipresent, constant smart phone dings, pings and rings, longing for an escape to an unreachable place.

Ding, Ping, Ring!

My head is awhirl in
Pinging sounds, sights and vibes,
Before my eyes
Between my ears
Inside my head
Unceasing messaging,
Likes, shares and emojis,
Expecting immediate response
And photos in real time,
Stored forever online.

My eyes ever bloodshot,
My ears clogged with noise,
My brain fried with squiggly lines,
Making a monster out of me.

Oh!  How I wish for an 
Ecclesiastes moment:
A time to think
A time to chill
A time to talk
When TV aired in black and white,
To loll in shades of gray,
Before cell phones, Internet, 3D copy machines
To reflect in quietude
Without dings, rings or pings.

I long for the courage
To shut down everything,
To engage unplugged friends,
And enjoy life in the slow lane.