Saturday, April 6, 2019

ARTSPEAK: Happy! poem "By the Sea"

I'm excited to be continuing my ARTSPEAK series -- this year with poems on the theme of "Happy." Read why in my introductory post.

Poems so far:

Girl in a Yellow Dress after "A Girl in a Yellow Dress, 1917" by Amedeo Modigliani.

When the Stars Come to Town after "Cafe Terrace at Night" by Vincent van Gogh.

On a Golden Day in May after "Checkered House" by Grandma Moses.

Beach Time after "Children Playing on the Beach" by Mary Cassatt

The Weight of Happiness after "Flower Seller" by Diego Rivera.

Today's piece is after "Coastal Scene with Gulls" by Maud Lewis. I first came to know of her work from watching the movie MAUDIE, which I really enjoyed. One thing I've learned about myself is that some days what I appreciate most about living on the lake is simply the view! Just driving into our driveway and looking out at the lake fills me with peace and happiness... so I decided to put that in this poem.


By the Sea
after "Coastal Scene with Gulls" by Maud Lewis

I don't need to dive into blue waters,
I don't need to wing across sky.
I am happy here on this quilted grass
watching the boats swim by.

- Irene Latham




Be sure to visit Tara at Going to Walden for the latest line in our Progressive Poem!



3 comments:

  1. "quilted grass"
    Superlove. I also love reading words from your life stitching themselves through your poems. This is an important reminder that what we DO affects what we WRITE...so DOING is important beyond the particular project as we are offered new metaphors through our actions. xx

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  2. You've made me remember our own time living on a lake, Irene. It was wonderful, 'watching the boats swim by'. I'm glad you made the move, a grand thing.

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  3. I've often wondered if those who live by water wake up every day mesmerized by the beauty, or if they begin to take it for granted as I do the beautiful green of fields and prairies. There's something calming about picturing a quiet space by the water just watching the birds and boats go by.

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Your thoughts?