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Friday, January 31, 2020

The Other Side of Red

Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Jone for Roundup.

Please be on the lookout for my newest poetry book with Charles Waters, DICTIONARY FOR A BETTER WORLD: Poems, Quotes and Anecdotes, which releases next Tuesday (Feb. 4)! If you'd like a chance to win a copy, be sure to subscribe to my "Adventures in Ink" newsletter (button on the left of this post!). I'll be publishing an issue on release day that will include a giveaway opportunity. :)

So, all the "red" poems so far have been happy-red... but red isn't all roses and cherries! In fact, I just read the poem "Phobia of Red" by Sharon Olds, in her new (beautiful) book ARIAS. Check it out!

Red has a dark side, for sure. My goal for this project is to explore all the sides of red, and hopefully discover things I haven't even thought of yet. :) Today's piece is one I found on Google Arts and Culture. Enjoy!


Because a Church is Its People

still, children
dance,
      twirl

even as sanctuary
      smolders,
mothers shiver

in streets lit
by the red-wet
       glow
-->
              of hate

- Irene Latham


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24 comments:

  1. TabathaJanuary 31, 2020 at 9:58 AM

    A poignant mix of hot and cold, glow and hate, dance and destruction. You cover a lot, Irene. xo

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  2. jamaJanuary 31, 2020 at 9:58 AM

    Powerful poem, Irene. Love the art too. And congrats on the new book!! Anxious to read it. :)

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    1. Irene LathamFebruary 3, 2020 at 8:13 PM

      Thank you, Jama! They are supposed to be sending one your way! xo

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  3. Carol VarsalonaJanuary 31, 2020 at 11:21 AM

    Irene, first of all congratulations on your new book that is coming out into the world. Secondly, thank you for the link to the intense poem, Phobia of Red. Your poem is filled with such strong words smolder, shiver, red-wet, glow of hate. Great job to pair the artwork with the words as if they were always meant to be together.

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    1. Irene LathamFebruary 3, 2020 at 8:14 PM

      Thank you, Carol - so glad you read "Phobia in Red" too! xo

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  4. Linda BJanuary 31, 2020 at 2:30 PM

    The book will be mine soon, ordered by my local Indie! That middle verse, when you write "sanctuary smolders" is like a slap in the face, Irene. Brief poem full of sadness, belied by the title. Yes, a new look at 'red'.

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    1. Irene LathamFebruary 3, 2020 at 8:14 PM

      Thank you, Linda, for being such a great poetry supporter and friend. xo

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  5. Linda MitchellJanuary 31, 2020 at 8:47 PM

    Why, yes. I would like the newsletter, please. I clicked the link and signed up. And, I'm ordering my copy of Dictionary tonight! I'm so excited for this book. I am enjoying your journey with red. Even though today's poem is more difficult because we can feel that there is pain, it is a part of red that we should not shy away from.

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  6. michelle koganFebruary 1, 2020 at 11:02 AM

    Thank you Irene for your powerful poem and evocative painting that you selected–together they paint a dark, but important image. Congrats on "Dictionary for a Better World" I'm looking forward to it!

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    1. Irene LathamFebruary 3, 2020 at 8:15 PM

      Thank you, Michelle! I'm looking forward to your reaction to it! xo

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  7. KayFebruary 1, 2020 at 1:07 PM

    That poem packs a punch. Unfortunately, it is still too true yet today.

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    1. Irene LathamFebruary 3, 2020 at 8:16 PM

      You are so right, Kay. Hate still colors the world red... thank you for reading. xo

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  8. Karen EastlundFebruary 1, 2020 at 7:59 PM

    The things we have not thought of.... yes, you found one of them. Investigating a color will no doubt bring both highs and lows. Thanks for sharing this fascinating project.

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    1. Irene LathamFebruary 3, 2020 at 8:16 PM

      Thank you, Karen --- I really want to show all sides of red. I'm learning! xo

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  9. Mary LeeFebruary 2, 2020 at 7:06 AM

    Yow. So much hard truth in your poem and the painting.

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  10. RamonaFebruary 2, 2020 at 9:09 AM

    Smolder and shiver, those words can apply to so much of what continues to be our normal. So sad. When I saw the title, I had to read more about the artist. I was right, Third Ward referred to Houston.

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    1. Irene LathamFebruary 3, 2020 at 8:17 PM

      Yep - Houston. Thank you for digging deeper, Ramona! xo

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  11. mbhmaineFebruary 2, 2020 at 3:17 PM

    This is such a powerful pairing! Your projects always wow me and I'm so looking forward to your continuing journey with red. I know I'll think and learn along the way. Congratulations on your upcoming book release--you and Charles are such a dynamic duo!

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    1. Irene LathamFebruary 3, 2020 at 8:18 PM

      Thank you, Donna! Charles and I worked SO HARD on this new book... it's very exciting to see it making its way to readers. xo

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  12. Becky HerzogFebruary 4, 2020 at 11:35 AM

    I love the idea of exploring a color through poetry. And your "Red-wet glow of hate" paints a visceral image.

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  13. JoneFebruary 4, 2020 at 9:42 PM

    I am looking forward to getting your book.

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Your thoughts?