Hello, and welcome to day 2 of my National Poetry Month poem-a-day-project ARTSPEAK! in which I respond to images found in the online collections at the National Gallery of Art.Before we get to the poem, please don your leis and visit Joy Acey (in Hawaii!) to see how our Progressive Poem is progressing! There's quite an unexpected word in the line today. Enjoy!
Back to ARTSPEAK! This year's theme is "Plant. Grow Eat." It was inspired by the release of my latest book FRESH DELICIOUS: Poems from the Farmers' Market. Here's yesterday's poem:
I selected today's poem because many farmers' markets happen on Saturdays, so what better way to celebrate the first Saturday of National Poetry Month? And yes, this is a piece by the same artist as yesterday. We will be seeing more of Mr. Pissarro before the month is through!
What caught my eye in this poem was the little girl hidden behind the basket. I've been that little girl at the market with Mama. I know the rules. I decided to give my experience to the girl in the art.
At the Vegetable Market
- after Vegetable Market at Pontoise by Camille Pissarro
Mama
says,
never
go to the market
hungry.
She
says I can't say
I
want I want
or
Pleeeeeeeease.
no
matter how blue
the
blueberries
or
how perfect
the
potato.
But
I don't care
about
money,
and
I am always hungry.
So
I smile wider than
a
watermelon rind
and
my cheeks
turn
round as tomatoes
when
the lady with the basket
leans
in close,
says,
want a taste?
- Irene Latham
Listen to the poem on Soundcloud! (still having trouble embedding... grr)
- Irene Latham
Listen to the poem on Soundcloud! (still having trouble embedding... grr)
Isn't that always the way when you are a child - always hungry and not caring about the cost!
ReplyDeleteLoved this and could see it so in my mind:
"So I smile wider than
a watermelon rind
and my cheeks
turn round as tomatoes"
Thanks for sharing this today!