Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Ruth at there is no such thing as a godforsaken town for Roundup.
Charles and I are excited to be traveling to Chicago to deliver the keynote (Monday!) at the NCTE-NCTM Joint Conference! Educators, we look forward to sharing this time with you!
And—fitting for the Poetry Friday before Father's Day AND this month's 9 year anniversary of my father's death—I shall never think of Don Quixote without thinking of my father. He was a DQ fan for sure! Papa was a dreamer, an adventurer, a lover of freedom, and a firm believer in helping those in need. He gave all those things to me, and I remain deeply grateful.
Self-Portrait as Don Quixote
by Irene Latham
Days bleed
into dream—
I cannot discern
what is real,
what is not.
I charge forward
alone
and not alone.
What you call
madness,
I call
freedom!
Never before
have I kissed
such winds.
Love this -- I'm a DQ fan too, used to sing along with all the Man of La Mancha songs on the stereo. Great last line in your poem!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memorial poem for your father. I have a special Dad too...also a dreamer and one to help others.
ReplyDeleteLucky conference attendees to get you two as the opening keynote!
ReplyDeleteDON QUIXOTE was a landmark book in my high school reading.
I love that opening! All the best to you and Charles as you deliver the keynote. How wonderful!
ReplyDeletePow! "Never before have I kissed such winds." I imagine a speaker who's dream for freedom is unswayed --despite the anvil of our days. Beautiful, Irene!
ReplyDeleteLove your opening, Irene! All those "d" sounds tickle the tongue.
ReplyDeleteIrene, the beginning and ending of your ArtSpeak poem has me pondering the depth of this poem and how it moves me. Congratulations on keying the conference with Charles. Have a wonderful time in Chicago.
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