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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

ARTSPEAK! Poem #1 "Escape of the Toy Horse"

Hello, and welcome to day #1 of ARTSPEAK!, my 2015 Poem-a-Day Project for National Poetry Month 2015, in which I am writing from images found in the online collections of the National Gallery of Art and focusing on dialogue, conversations, what does the piece say?

Today's piece is "Baby at Play" by Thomas Eakins.





When I first chose this image, I was drawn to the quiet action of the baby... how many times had I seen my own children play with such seriousness? Then I noticed the abandoned doll lying face-first on the pavers. Poor dolly! And THEN I saw that horse and cart, high-tailing it out of there. Clearly, Toy Horse had something to say! He didn't want to become a victim like Dolly....



Be sure visit Jone at Check it Out to see the first line of our 2015 Kidlitosphere Progressive Poem! And we're off!!! 


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15 comments:

  1. laurasalasApril 1, 2015 at 6:20 AM

    This gave me a lovely laugh to start my day! I love that you show the dark side of Dolly!

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  2. Amy LVApril 1, 2015 at 7:44 AM

    "I'm taking my cart/
    to calmer country."

    I loved hearing you read this, Irene. And the end cracked me up too! We're all human...even toys. Happy Poetry Month! xo, a.

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    Replies
    1. Irene LathamApril 1, 2015 at 9:20 AM

      Amy, that his such a "you" line... "We're all human...even toys." Ha! xo

      Delete
  3. Heidi MordhorstApril 1, 2015 at 7:57 AM

    I'm going to love the voices you hear in the art, Irene. This is a wonderful painting, and it's so interesting how you zeroed in on the horse and cart--I would have written about something else entirely, I'm sure.

    Happy NPM!

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    Replies
    1. Irene LathamApril 1, 2015 at 9:20 AM

      I would love to read YOUR poem from this painting, Heidi! xo

      Delete
  4. Carol HinzApril 1, 2015 at 9:01 AM

    As the mother of two little ones, I'm completely delighted by this! (And mine do often ask for trucks...)

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    Replies
    1. Irene LathamApril 1, 2015 at 9:23 AM

      Carol! so great of you to visit. :) I bet you do get lots of requests for trucks. :)

      Delete
  5. Linda BApril 1, 2015 at 9:32 AM

    Children are fickle, and that horse is wise, Irene. Fun to hear your lively voice for the horse escaping. I love your goal, to include dialogue & conversation. Voices will ring in your head this month!

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  6. catherinemjohnson.comApril 1, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    Wonderful poem, Irene and I so enjoyed being able to listen to you read it.

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  7. Liz SteinglassApril 1, 2015 at 4:38 PM

    I too love the combination of art and voices. I appreciate that you gave your attention to the horse when it would have been so easy to feature the blocks.

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  8. pgbooksApril 1, 2015 at 5:48 PM

    Love this! Happy National Poetry Month!

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  9. CarolApril 1, 2015 at 8:50 PM

    Such a fun poem! I would love to use this in a study of point of view! It would be perfect! And I love hearing you read your poem!

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  10. AnonymousApril 1, 2015 at 9:20 PM

    I love writing inspired by art, and your poem gives such insight into this painting. Like Amy, I love these lines: "I'm taking my cart/to a calmer country."

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  11. Charles WatersApril 2, 2015 at 11:23 PM

    ATTACK OF THE INFANT
    Scattered building blocks,
    Swirly stripped socks,
    Tattered teddy bear,
    My name’s baby hurricane
    Look out … beware.

    (c) Charles Waters 2015 all rights reserved.

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  12. Mary LeeApril 4, 2015 at 7:08 AM

    Clearly, part of the joy in this project is looking so closely at the art! You found the perfect voice!

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