›ephemeral‹ is mostly inspired by a visual poem from 1663, which is constructed in concentric rings and gives the reader a multitude of possible word combinations to form a verse. In a similar but different way my poem is also developed in rings where the user can permutate different words to form their own poem.
visual poem from 1663
In its content the poem deals with thoughts and fears about the future and purpose in life. Statements about ephemerality, hopes and a human's fate form in vertical verses, giving an opportunity to reflect about life itself.
The flowers are a visual metaphor for this fleetingness of one's existence. They bloom as the cursor moves over the screen and then disappear seconds later. The form was inspired by other visual poems in floral shapes, which stem from around the same time as the ring poem. I was also intrigued by Laurel Schwulst’s project ›Internet onion‹, which was a website that also behaved like an onion – reflecting and performing the growth and decay cycle from its natural counterpart.
floral poem from 1693
floral poem from 1718
floral poem from 1741