Monday, April 1, 2019

ARTSPEAK: Happy! poem "Girl in a Yellow Dress"

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

Today's piece is "A Girl in a Yellow Dress, 1917" by Amedeo Modigliani.

I am no stranger to girls in yellow dresses... one in particular has made me happy for years: Etta Mae Pettway, a supporting character in LEAVING GEE'S BEND. There's a chapter in the book called "Girl in the Yellow Dress," and on my 2019-to-do list is to research Mobile, Alabama 1930-32 history to write a companion novel from Etta Mae's point of view. So there's that!

Interestingly, I don't think I've ever worn a yellow dress, because I've never thought yellow to complement my skin tone. Hmmm...

Anyhow, this poem came to me quickly and easily... because whether I wear the yellow dress or not, I AM this girl. Enjoy!



Girl in a Yellow Dress
after A Girl in a Yellow Dress by Amedeo Modigliani.
Sometimes I sit and stare
and you think I'm not going anywhere.

But in that moment,
that tiny, precise moment

my heart is dreaming,
mind-movies are streaming –

sailboats and pelicans are nesting
in my hair!

Truth is, I'm always smiling – somewhere.

- Irene Latham




Please be sure to stop by Radio, Rhythm and Rhyme to read Matt's opening line in this year's Progressive Poem! Yay!

8 comments:

  1. I love this girl (you!) and the magic of sailboats and pelicans nesting in her hair. An absolute delight. x

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  2. Now you've made me smile, too, Irene! I love your backstory & just sent a postcard to Carter of a Modlgliani print, a favorite artist. And the poem, just right to begin this happy month: "sailboats and pelicans are nesting
    in my hair!"

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  3. I especially like that last line! A secret smile, somewhere! xo

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  4. Like you, I don't wear yellow, but I love yellow. It makes me happy! I love your last line!

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  5. I'm a day late commenting on this post but wanted to tell you I used the painting "A Girl in a Yellow Dress" in my sophomore English class Monday. My students then wrote poems and are working a visual anthology for NPM. I also am writing a poem based on the painting but haven't finished it yet.

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  6. She is veritably glowing with streams of pelicans and sailboats. Nice one!

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  7. Love the poem and also, adored Leaving Gee's Bend. Great work!

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