July 5, 2026
June 28, 2026
A Boy Feeds the Koi
A Boy Feeds the Koi
The people passing by
are no strangers to the koi
living in the pond;
anyone and everyone
is a friend in waiting.
As a young boy
approached the water’s edge
the surface erupted;
fish of all colors and sizes
congregated at his feet.
As the koi jostled for position
the boy took a handful
of fish kibble and skimmed it
across the water’s surface
sending them into a frenzy.
The boy and the fish dancing
to music only they could hear
a call and response again and again
until the food was gone and they
each took a bow and fell silent.
The people passing by
are no strangers to the koi
living in the pond;
anyone and everyone
is a friend in waiting.
As a young boy
approached the water’s edge
the surface erupted;
fish of all colors and sizes
congregated at his feet.
As the koi jostled for position
the boy took a handful
of fish kibble and skimmed it
across the water’s surface
sending them into a frenzy.
The boy and the fish dancing
to music only they could hear
a call and response again and again
until the food was gone and they
each took a bow and fell silent.
— Dan Hardison
Image: Carp with Wisteria by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
woodblock 1889
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Ekphrastic Review
June 2026
Image: Carp with Wisteria by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi woodblock 1889
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Ekphrastic Review
June 2026
June 20, 2026
May 10, 2026
On the River
On the River
From the bank of the river
he sets out for an afternoon
of fishing with his wife
and young daughters.
Whatever they catch
will be that night’s dinner
with cornbread, potatoes,
and corn-on-the-cob.
When shadows start to swallow
the trees along the river
he guides the flat-bottom boat
back to the riverbank.
They wearily walk in silence
up the bank to the house
to begin preparing their meal
of fried chicken.
From the bank of the river
he sets out for an afternoon
of fishing with his wife
and young daughters.
Whatever they catch
will be that night’s dinner
with cornbread, potatoes,
and corn-on-the-cob.
When shadows start to swallow
the trees along the river
he guides the flat-bottom boat
back to the riverbank.
They wearily walk in silence
up the bank to the house
to begin preparing their meal
of fried chicken.
— Dan Hardison
"On the River" was created as a handmade accordion artist book containing the poem above. Constructed with original art, photographs, handmade paper, and sealed with archival wax medium. (one-of-a-kind, 8.5” x 8.5” closed, 8.5” x 38.75” opened flat, includes paper portfolio)
View the complete artist book as a PDF
"On the River" was created as a handmade accordion artist book containing the poem above. Constructed with original art, photographs, handmade paper, and sealed with archival wax medium. (one-of-a-kind, 8.5” x 8.5” closed, 8.5” x 38.75” opened flat, includes paper portfolio)
View the complete artist book as a PDF
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