Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Michelle at More Art 4 All for Roundup.
I've enjoyed lots of jolly Christmas fun this week...and more to come!
This year we put up a "Keys" Christmas tree. As in the Florida Keys. So all the ornaments—pulled from our 35-years-together collection—have a coastal theme. Beaches and shells and blue! We added blue garland, and the treetopper is two dried starfish glued together. Fun!
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| Texas bedroom at DAR Museum |
Interesting historical tidbit I learned about in my new gig as Correspondent Docent in Training for the DAR Museum: when Christmas trees first became popular in the U.S. (as early as 1820s), they were smaller (tabletop-sized) and a small fence was placed around the tree. Inside the fence, one might build a village, or add toy animals, and the like. I'm especially fascinated by the fences!
Today's ArtSpeak: PICASSO poem is kind of an anti-Christmas poem...because some days are just like that! Also, earlier I wrote "Today I'm Feeling Autumn," and I guess I'd like to complete the series. :) Thanks so much for reading!
Today I'm Feeling Winter
stuck inside
myself
weary
of the world's
advice
where
is the sun?
- Irene Latham
Adorable tree filled with many memories! I love how your poem ends with the question on everyone's mind about now.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new gig!!! That sounds amazing!! Now I want to build a village!!! Your beautifully somber poem mirrored my feelings this week and the "stuck inside/myself" gave me chills. Thank you, Irene, and I love your tree, too!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of the themed Christmas tree and congrats on the Docent position. And oh winter has a good grip on us in the northeast for sure!
ReplyDeleteIrene, I like your Today I Am Feeling Winter poem and its counterpart autumn. Winter has come to Virginia also. It was frigid here this week but now the sun is shining and breaks the mystery of cold, rain, and snow. Oops, the dark clouds return, wind picks up, and rain may be on its way.
ReplyDeleteYour idea for a beach tree sounds wonderful and thank you for the information about tree fences. I have small trees around my house but even me as a antique lover did not know the story of the fences.
What does a correspondent docent do? Are you a member of the DAR? My mom has been. I like the idea of building a village next to your tree. Hope you keep having jolly fun! xo 🎄
ReplyDeleteLike the idea of having a themed Christmas tree! Enjoyed hearing about the fences around the old tabletop trees too. And I felt your winter poem -- arrived too soon this year, sigh . . . what is a correspondent docent?
ReplyDeleteI think, like others, I want to know, too, about this new work, the Docent position? It sounds rich with new learning, Irene! I have numerous 'little' trees that I put all round the house at Christmas, and one does have a fence, so it's fun to hear about those in the past. And I love your poem, the title, too, and using "weary" which is just right. Though not like others commenting, we are NOT feeling winter. It's been in the fifties and higher for a long time now, except for that one snow. Happy, Happy Holidays to you and the family!
ReplyDeleteTexas? That's a drive from AL.
ReplyDeleteYes, that winter feeling of going inside oneself...just the kind of self that loves the comedic relief of a coastal themed Christmas tree. I hope you are finding moments of joy in these days of winter.
DAR looks like a grand and rich museum— and it sounds and looks like you have a lovely tree! Thanks for your moving poem, hopefully the sun is coming, at least more light is on its way. Merry Christmas to you and your family Irene!
ReplyDelete"Weary of the world's advice" — oh my, yes. Your themed tree is so fun!
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ReplyDeleteLoved hearing about your Keys-themed tree, Irene. I am fascinated by how everyone's tree is so unique and adorned with story after story. We still have the original star made by Scott and I for our first tree together 45 years ago. It was bent from a wire coat hanger and wound with tinsel. It's a bit tattered now, but so full of meaning. Loved your little Picasso poem expressing how much how we are feeling these days. Bring on the sun! Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeletePoor Winter -- stuck inside you, wishing for sun! ;). Merry Christmas, Irene!
ReplyDeleteWe have a little tree this year...fun to know we can claim it's historic. No fence, but it is enough holiday and joy for this year. Maybe next year we'll go back to the big tree...Happy Christmas! Wishing you a break from the weary world's never ending advice.
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