The Oregon Trail | Ekphrastic Poetry

POETRY • ART • OBSERVATION

Everything In Its Place, Heide Presse

Author:  Margeaux Candlin 

“Ekphrastic writing delves into the world of visual art, translating and expanding on its themes through verbal expression. It creates a bridge between mediums, using words to deepen our engagement with art and uncover new dimensions of meaning.” (MasterClass, n.d.).

I first encountered ekphrastic writing—or ekphrastic poetry—through the Steamboat Art Museum’s (S.A.M.) annual “Painted Words” competition. This event invites participants of all ages to write about a piece of art displayed in the gallery, culminating in a contest that celebrates creativity and interpretation.

​In 2024, the Painted Words competition centered on an exhibition by Heidi Presse titled “We Set Our Faces Westward...One Woman's Journey 1839–1848.” This powerful collection draws inspiration from the journal of Keturah Belknap, a young woman who migrated from Ohio to Iowa as a newlywed in 1839 and later, in 1848, traveled to Oregon while pregnant and caring for her three-year-old child. Despite facing immense hardships—including the loss of three children—Belknap’s journey epitomizes the resilience of westward pioneers. Through her art, Presse vividly portrays the daily lives of these settlers, from farming in Iowa to enduring the long, arduous wagon journey west (Presse, 2023).

The Oregon Trail

Ekphrastic writing by Margaux Candlin,
​inspired by the artwork: “Everything In Its Place” by Heide Presse

Preparation

Children laugh as they chase one another.
Quick footsteps kick up clouds of dust.
Ranch Hands hammer repairs on a nearby fence.
Sharp knives whistle as wheat is swiftly cut.

I prepare our wagon with order and forethought.
In the first trunk:
A season of clothes, weaved from wool and flax.
In the second:
Linen bags, stuffed with grains, flour, rice, coffee, and beans.

During

In the fourth of our six month journey we are skin and bones.
Supplies dwindle.
We ration what’s left.
Our garments are too thin.
The fires we burn are no match for cold nights and heavy rains.

Illness looms.
Hannah, at two years old, is inconsolable.
Our medicines are of no use.
She fusses, cries, shivers, and sweats.
I cry as well.
Fever leads to demise.

Arrival

My being yearns for the home we left and the children we lost.
I cannot eat or sleep.
I cook, wash, and fetch water in a daze.
Grief swallows my soul.
Our journey was not worth my broken heart and the promise of gold.

Insights from the Practice
Ekphrastic writing offers an opportunity for reflection and connection. Imagining myself as a traveler on the Oregon Trail through Heidi Presse’s art allowed me to step into the shoes of those pioneers. While I could never fully comprehend their reality, this exercise deepened my appreciation for their resilience and sacrifice, broadening my perspective on history and humanity.

​While the Oregon Trail marked a significant chapter of American history, it also brought devastating consequences for Native Americans displaced to reservations. Moreover, the settlers who traversed the trail faced numerous hardships—illness, injury and scarcity of resources among them. These challenges reveal the transient nature of external circumstances and underscore the importance of cultivating inner resilience.

Human nature often leads us to believe: “If I lived in a different place, my life would improve,” or “If I achieved this, I would be happy.” Yoga, however, encourages us to observe our experiences with equanimity, recognizing that external conditions are ever-changing and do not define our inner state. By fostering awareness and empathy, we can better understand the experiences of others and ourselves.

Ekphrastic Writing is a practice of connection, observation & creative expression.
Choose a piece of art that resonates with you. Observe it closely. Reflect on its themes, emotions, and stories. Then express your observations and interpretations in writing. This process fosters a deeper connection to the art and enhances your creative thinking.

​This article was edited from the original post at weavingartandyoga.com, 12/15/24

References:

• MasterClass. (n.d.). Ekphrastic poetry: Definition, examples, and prompts. Retrieved from https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ekphrastic-poetry
• Presse, H. (Sept, 2023). Journeys: We set our faces westward... One woman's journey 1839–1848. Retrieved from https://www.heidepresse.com/blog/189343/journeys
• Steamboat Art Museum. (2025). The Painted Words: An ekphrastic Writing Competition. Retrieved from https://steamboatartmuseum.org/the-painted-words/

MEET MARGEAUX

Margeaux Candlin is passionate about creating health in the mind and body through yoga, meditation, and nutrition.​ Margeaux lives in Edwards, Colorado. Her favorite outdoor activities include skiing and hiking. She has been practicing yoga since 2000 when she moved to Boulder, Colorado to attend CU from Minneapolis, MN

www.weavingartandyoga.com/