Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Susan at Chicken Spaghetti for Roundup.
It's almost my birthday, and it's a palindrome year—55. (I keep thinking: "I can't drive 55.":) Hooray! And happy birthday to my birthday twin Ruth and the many other Poetry Friday friends who have birthdays this time of year.
Who are the writers who give you courage??
Also, in honor of Year of the Fire Horse, I wanted to share a few "horse" poems from ye ol' blog:
This week's ArtSpeak: WOMEN is after a piece by one of my favorite artists Frida Kahlo. A dream of mine is to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul) in Mexico City. After last week's poem about a newborn, this poem is about death. It's also a Golden Shovel, featuring watermelons and a quote from Frida's journal just a few days before her death. Normally I would steer clear of choosing a striking line with awkward ending-line words like "the" and "is." But it's Frida! And I love the quote. So I decided to roll with it. Thanks so much for reading.
are sweet, and I
am red with hunger and hope.
You crack yourself open while I fold into the
corner of wanting. Won't you show me the exit?
Teach me how to hold the sun when the day is
anything but joyful.
- Irene Latham
Love your poem, which feels so timely, and I love the bolded striking line!
ReplyDelete"the corner of wanting" and "teach me how to hold the sun" are such poignant phrases. Thank you, and I do like the striking line in bold.
ReplyDeleteMoving poem, and as Mona said, so timely (agree with preference for bold striking line). Always enjoy your Tuesday Tip videos and have been meaning to ask if the little green baby dress was yours? Beautiful cello too (still waiting for a video of you playing it). :) Many writers have given me courage, but two stand out because of their innovative styles and what they taught me about breaking grammar rules -- Hopkins and Cummings. :D
ReplyDeleteHappy almost birthday! As you know, I can't get enough of your birthday :) Your poem is delicious and I'm glad you didn't let "is" and "the" keep you from writing it. I can't decide about bolding the last word. xo
ReplyDeleteHi Irene! I've seen some with italicized words, too, but enjoy the reminder with words in bold. My daughter has been to the Kahlo museum, said it was incredible! I love your poem, something so special and bold to write from Frida's also bold watermelons! The 'how to hold the sun' feels like a line to help everyone keep going! Happy Birthday! Surely you can start celebrating now! : ) ❤️
ReplyDeleteIrene, what a great golden shovel! Those last two lines speak loudly to me! My vote is for NOT bolding the last word of the lines, mostly to avoid visually distracting the reader. That way, the design leaves more for the reader to discover on her own.
ReplyDeleteIrene, happy birthday! There is so much depth in the collection you share here--the artwork, Frida being close to death at the time and what she wrote in her journal. Your poem is respectful and witnessing. This is so rich: "while I fold into the / corner of wanting." I hope you'll get to the Frida Kahlo Museum.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, youngster! This is a delicious golden shovel. I don't prefer the bold words...But I do appreciate how they draw my attention to the quotation. So, I'm good either way.
ReplyDelete"I fold into the corner of wanting" is GORGEOUS! I prefer bold words. And I agree, this strike line is worth it. Happy almost birthday!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this interesting poem, Irene. The poet is new to me. I'll have to read more of her work. I do like the bolded strike line words.
ReplyDeleteHappy palindromic birthday, Irene!
ReplyDeleteWhat a moving quote, and poem. I hope you make it to the Frida Kahlo museum one day soon.
I generally prefer to not have the striking word in bold.
Off to watch your latest tip!
Happy birthday!! Wow, what a wonderful collection of horse poems. I never knew you had such a love for them. I really enjoyed all of them, and was very excited to see in one of your suggested resources- Google Arts and Culture Images- the art organized by color. Yowza! I will be spending some time here for sure. Talk about color inspiration! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour Golden Shovel shines Irene. Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteThat's one of my favorite poems ever here: the painting , the artist, the simple wish, the "I
ReplyDeleteam red with hunger and hope.
You crack yourself open while I fold into the
corner of wanting. " *swoon* On the bolding, I think it depends if the poem has to stand alone or if it comes with a subtitle to help readers look for the striking line. In general I think we want the striking line to disappear and for the poem to stand on its own, so that the reference is bonus treasure. (Except for elementary kids. I think they need it.)
Your soul shines in this the talk with us on receiving courage from writers & in your golden shovel line, from Ms. Frida. Our grown kids, who are both visual artists with work-a-day jobs, appreciated their time at her Mexico City house museum. You. Will. Arrive. There! On courage-bringers, I immediately think of Lee Bennett Hopkins & his yearning child desire to Someday Grow UP To Be a Writer, among many others, including Alice Walker, Nikki G. You & Charles. I appreciate your tribute to your pal Jim at the luminous Birmingham Arts Review. (I treasure that my poem is there) I agree with Heidi that the G.S. last Line boldface & context can compliment each other . I like the reader to discover the magic of the last word sentence , reverse acrostic, via a poetry note, especially if the poem is illustrated.
ReplyDeleteBouyant bright bold birthday to you who wears the Palindrone look of 44, WonderFuLL Irene. xo
Irene, I enjoyed your 2 minute video and loved your blog but as soon as I was ready to send a commment, I fell asleep on Friday. That seems to be a habitual event lately. "Teach me how to hold the sun when the day is/anything but joyful." These lines will stay with me as I continue on my spiritual journey. I am even using your words as a start to my next blog with credit to you.
ReplyDeleteSuch perfection in this small poem from the title that nods at the watermelon from the painting to that amazing line “Teach me how to hold the sun when the day is anything but joyful.” I like seeing the line in bold. Sorry I’m late to commenting.
ReplyDeleteYes to a bold striking line and YES to a poem that begins in the title! LOVE this!!
ReplyDelete