Wow, can we really be on the eve of National Poetry Month?! I'm excited! There are so so many ways to celebrate... you can find out how others are celebrating by reading Jama's roundup post at Jama's Alphabet Soup!
 |
| 2015 |
In 2015, I didn't have a theme per se - beyond all pieces of art coming from the digital collection at the National Gallery of Art.
Last year, 2016, in honor of the release of FRESH DELICIOUS, I focused on
 |
| 2016 |
You can find links to all of those poems on the ARTSPEAK! tab above!
This year's ARTSPEAK! will focus on.... portraits! To add some diversity to the images, I am not limiting my selections to the National Gallery of Art collection. I actually found a number of my subjects on the Google Arts & Culture app, which I love.
I will be listening with my "spirit ear" as I look at these paintings. I am very excited to find out what secrets these people (and a few animals) want to share with me!
 |
| 2017 |
Our Progressive Poem! Yay! Tomorrow Heidi will share the first line at my juicy little universe. See the full schedule in the sidebar!
My gracious poet-friend Sarah has an amazing collection of broadsides, and she will be posting one a day at her blog To Give to the Light during National Poetry Month!
There is a Twitter chat focusing on how poetry can bring us together Thursday, April 6, 7 pm EST with hashtag #FirstBookChat. Poets I know who will be attending include Janet Wong, Sylvia Vardell, Charles Water, Nancy Bo Flood, Alma Flor Ada, Isabel Campoy, Joseph Bruchac, and me! Hope you will join us.
Daily poetry podcasts! I'm pleased to be one of many in our community who contributed to Bookology's Poetry Mosaic Podcasts. You can keep up on Twitter @newsbookology or Facebook.
I will be sending out my annual "Live Your Poem" postcards! If you're not already on my list, there is still time to sign up:
I also have a number of speaking/teaching engagements, which I hope to share more about as they come to pass!
Finally, a random art poem in celebration of this last night before National Poetry Month:
-->
Night
- after “Woods
at Night with Travelers” by Joris van der Haagen
While
you sleep
I
steep
the
trees
in
silver light,
I
open my jar
of
stars
to
guide travelers
from
afar
and
lean
into
your window
to
kiss your
eyelids.
-->
- Irene Latham
Hooray! I love your art poems, and I particularly love portraits.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I do love that Night voice. And these ARTSPEAK projects! Who knew April could come around so quickly again. Wonderful goodness. xxx
ReplyDeleteThe art poems will be a treat, Irene, imagining what lies behind that, this time, portrait. Today's poem is wonderfully imaginative, those trees leaning in to give a kiss will stay with me when I hear the branches touching my windows. Thanks for all the other links, too, what a month to anticipate, and nearly here!
ReplyDeleteExcited to see your portrait poems, Irene! Also, I hope I am on the postcard list as I definitely want one of those postcards :-)!
ReplyDeleteOh! Your spirit ears! Love! I try to look with the eyes of the heart, but now I want to listen too! Can't wait for Art Speak. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a fuller than full plate in April, Irene! Looking forward to keeping tabs on your whereabouts via poetry breadcrumbs. xo
ReplyDeleteSo much going on, Irene! Looking forward to where the Art Speak project takes you this month. =)
ReplyDeleteThere's so much to look forward to this month! I fully plan on immersing myself completely in poetry this month!!
ReplyDeleteSo many delicious links to click on my way through this post. Thank you for such generous contributions to the community. I really look forward to your portrait poems. And, I have added the google app to my phone. What a treasure trove of material there!
ReplyDeleteSee you in Poetry Month!
Your spirit ears gifted us this beautiful poem today, Irene. I can't wait to read your portrait poems.
ReplyDeleteYour portrait poems should be interesting... I loved your artspeak challenges from previous years. Sounds like you have a busy month ahead.
ReplyDeleteYour post is a treasure-trove, Irene! I love your Artspeak projects and can't wait to see which portraits you've chosen. Thank you for all the other links, especially the Google Arts & Culture. (How had I missed that?!) And your poem is lovely, especially this final image:
ReplyDelete[I] lean
into your window
to kiss your
eyelids.
Sigh. Happy Poetry Month!
Poetry and art...sigh...I think I might be in love with this idea I look forward to seeing the secrets you discover in these portraits.
ReplyDeleteYour Night is so sweet and gentle. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see art through your eyes and poems!
Thanks for this Lovely Poem, "Night" I'm going to dream with it tonight!
ReplyDelete