Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Tricia at the Miss Rumphius Effect for Roundup.
I'm away from my desk today, but I did want to pop in with the latest poem in my ArtSpeak: PICASSO series!
One of the reasons I chose Picasso as my 2025 theme was because I wanted to challenge myself.
I love Impressionism and Post-Impressionism...it would have made so much more sense for me to select Monet or van Gogh!
But. Just like it makes one a better writer to read AGAINST one's taste, the same may be true for this project. The way to grow is to be willing to be uncomfortable. Since I am not in love with the art, not making instant emotional connections as one does to the art one loves, it's forcing me to look deeper, to see things differently, and to make new and surprising connections.
For this painting, I was thinking about eating meals together in silence. How an onlooker might draw a conclusion that this family has nothing to say to one another. But what if the opposite is true?
Breakfast Conversation
cling-clang
my spoon
rings the bowl
sip-savor
Mama grips
her coffee-
flavored milk
crackle-hum
Papa reads
while he eats
(but never leaves
a crumb)
yummy-grumble
my tummy sings—
who needs words?
- Irene Latham
All this poem needed was the cat on the top of the fridge or the dogs on the back porch, contemplating in what way it was going to add chaos to this lovely domestic scene, and you'd have my childhood. I love this.
ReplyDeleteCute perspective of the child here in this scene. I like that the art is causing you to look more deeply and find "surprising connections." I'm loving hearing the onomatopoeia even louder with the italics.
ReplyDeleteYour poem sings with comfort and contentment. Thank you, Irene.
ReplyDeleteEach one content, the usual morning togetherness, all good! I liked your words for looking again, Irene, no matter the feeling found at first! And, I love the opening sounds! Have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh I love thinking about using a piece of art that is harder to personally connect to.
ReplyDeleteDo you ever listen to Brene Brown? Her interviews always end with some rapid-fire questions. One of them is something along the lines of you are called to be brave in a situation...what do you do? Your heading into growth by finding something interesting in art that's not your first choice feels brave to me. This family table had more softness to it than met your eye...and mine. That's cool. You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteIrene, first of all I love the line: The way to grow is to be willing to be uncomfortable. Your ArtSpeak today is speaking to me. You brought the artwork to life. through sound in such an amazing way. The word choices bring a sensory feel to the poem with what Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell might say, ThimbleThought words.
ReplyDeleteYes to challenging ourselves! I love that you also took the opposite point-of-view here AND that sounds are the star. Nice stretching, Irene! xo
ReplyDeleteI really like the domesticity that you've imbued on this painting and all the onomatopoeia sounds work so well, and then conquering something you wouldn't ordinarily–good challenge and fun poem, thanks Irene.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration to push myself out of my comfort zone!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you're looking for the new and surprising, Irene, as you dive into the unfamiliar/uncomfortable. So interesting to view this painting from opposite vantage points!
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