Oh my goodness, I had the best time with my mother and sister exploring northeast Alabama! One of the highlights was visiting Ft. Payne, home of Pete the Cat. (Ft. Payne is the original home of illustrator James Dean.) We visited all the Pete the Cat murals and his sidewalk star and took selfies and visited the shops...so much fun!
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In other news, Charles and I will be at Highlights this summer! (June 23-26 -- perfect for educator-poets!) You asked, and we listened... this time we are offering a "Working Retreat," which means less instruction and more time to WRITE! We expect this to be super-community-building, and we'd love for you to join us! *Our focus will be on poetry collections, both solo and anthologies...which is a great fit because our first anthology comes out fall 2024, our second anthology comes out spring 2025, and we hope to have an announcement for you very soon about a new one.
Today's ArtSpeak: FOLK ART poem is after a piece by Maine artist Earl Cunningham. So many thanks to Jan Annino for telling me about this artist! (Several others also offered artist suggestions in response to my latest Adventures in Writing newsletter...thank you, thank you! I'll be getting to them all eventually.)
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I wrote a bunch of fragments that went in a bunch of different directions...kind of like the clouds in the art! And that thought is exactly how I landed on the poem I'm sharing below.
Sometimes one doesn't know where one is going—in sailing or in writing—until you just... GO.
first sail of season
are those clouds sheep or wolves
too soon to tell
- Irene Latham
I was sitting with "first sail of the season" and "too soon to tell" trying to find the link that my brain wanted to make with these two "s" lines... and it came to me that "soon" reminded me of "schooner" which then led me to re-read your poem from the schooner's POV (sorry for the stream of conscience comment!!) -- Will miss you and Charles this year :(. 2024 is The Year of the Weddings (6 in my family)!
ReplyDeleteThe Year of the Weddings indeed! We'll miss you...Put on your dancing shoes...xo
DeleteI love that you see sheep and wolves in those clouds! So happy that you and Charles will be teaching at highlights again! : )
ReplyDeleteOne of the benefits of being home and quarantining is the chance to register for the June workshop before even finishing this post! I've been hoping and waiting for exactly this. Thank you, Irene and Charles for considering the educator's schedule. I look forward to writing at Highlights with other poets.
ReplyDeleteAnd....those clouds. What a great way to capture what you were thinking in just a short few lines. This week, I talked about how I move on from an unsatisfying draft and asked what others did. This is a great answer to my question. Thanks!
oh! And...when in Savannah a few years ago, I stumbled into a gallery with several Pete the Cat originals. I became a huge fan of the cat and it's creator at that point. What fun you must have had. Pete is so cool.
DeleteLinda! YAY YAY YAY! Will be so great to have you join us this summer! xo
DeleteMy grandson loves Pete the Cat. What a fun trip that would be for him. Congratulations on your two new anthologies. I can't wait to read them. Some clouds in our sky today. Right now they look innocent, but I'm pretty sure they are wolves in sheep's clothing since snow is on the way. Have a great weekend, Irene!
ReplyDeleteYou honor me, Irene, with your alliteration. I wish I could put your workshop in my bucket because Highlights is on my bucket list, but so is Europe and my husband and I are planning a trip. Your Pete the Cat adventure looks like great fun.
ReplyDeleteEurope with hubby sounds MARVELOUS. (Like you!) xo
DeleteWhat a delightful post! I am excited to read yours and Charles' new anthologies! I so wish I could attend in June, but I am already committed to two personal retreats at Highlights. But who knows, maybe I'll win the lottery!
ReplyDeleteA visit with Pete the Cat, how great! He is so popular! It's also fun how you told your approach to this amazing painting, certainly a unique style, and love that you have a query, not an answer! Also love that you and Charles are together again at Highlights! My summer plans take me elsewhere during that time, but know it'll be wonderful, Irene.
ReplyDeleteOooh-- what a fun poem! Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the info about your next Highlights retreat, Irene! I am actually going to be in the US for the whole month of June. I'm going to do my best to join you two...squee! And yes, your poem is spot on about writing, creating, and life. Yay for the GO.
ReplyDeleteBridget, YAY! Fingers crossed it will work out! Would love to meet and write with you. xo
DeleteIrene, your power of observation takes your ekphrastic poems allow the art to blend beautifully with your words. I would love to join you this summer but I have to check with the family vacation plans first.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to visit you and Charles again at Highlights! I haven't read the Sally J. Pla book, but I will now!
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