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| Irene Latham & Darnell Whited |
Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Michelle at Moreart4all for Roundup.
Have you been enjoying all the America 250 events in your neck of the woods? I have! After months of planning...and a generous grant from the Alabama 250 commission, yesterday I helped host a community "Party Like It's 1776!"
My DAR Warrior Rivers chapter, in conjunction with the Blount County Memorial Museum, offered entry into two of our town's most historic buildings and filled them with historic exhibits, recognition of veterans, activities (including a scavenger hunt!), food, and visits from historical figures like George and Martha Washington! So much fun, y'all. And I wanted to share a list of the books we found most valuable for helping us celebrate America's birthday, particularly in their portrayal of the American Revolution:
DK Eyewitness American Revolution
Farmer George Plants a Nation by Peggy Thomas, illus. by Layne Johnson
George vs. George: The American Revolution as seen from Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer
George Washington and the General's Dog by Frank Murphy, illus. by Richard Walz
George Washington's Spectacular Spectacles: The Glasses That Saved America by Selene Castrovilla, illus. by Jenn Harney
Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence by Neil Gorsuch and Janie Nitze, illus. by Chris Ellison
History Smashers: The American Revolution by Kate Messner
If You Were a Kid During the American Revolution by Wil Mara, illus. by Kelly Kennedy
Spies in the American Revolution for Kids: A History Book by Carla Killough McClafferty
The American Revolution from A to Z by Laura Crawford, illus. by Judith Hierstein
When Paul Revere Rode: Voices from the First Night of the American Revolution by Sarah L. Thomson, illus. by Nik Henderson
This week's ArtSpeak: WOMEN again features work by Gabriele Münter. (My record player needle is stuck, and I kind of love it!)
Some notes for those who are interested:
While this piece depicts Gabriele's artist-friends Alexej von Jawlensky and Marianne von Werefkin, I instantly saw these two as a couple. And because of their body positions, I imagined them in an argument.
Peace-loving, conflict-averse me hates being in an argument with a loved one! So I thought that might be fertile ground for poetry.
Last week I tried (and failed) at a trinet, so I wanted to try again this week. And voila! Success! Thanks so much for reading.
*Funny: when I went to the ArtSpeak: WOMEN folder to snag the image, I found a "Trinet after Drought" I wrote earlier this year! I think perhaps the trinet is my new triolet (form I go to when I don't know what to write!).
Trinet after an Argument
Together but
not together—
hearts caught in a summer riptide,
all heat, bees, and prickly grass—
who will
be first
to reach?
"hearts caught in a summer riptide,
ReplyDeleteall heat, bees, and prickly grass—"
precision capture of an imagined rift! I enjoyed reading about Gabriele just now, and understand very well how your needle's gotten stuck. I'm glad you've had a wonderful time celebrating the US at 250; I've had trouble feeling celebratory, and now our local parade, which I could really get behind, has be CANCELLED due to the expected 110* heat index. Disappointing indeed. Great booklist--thanks for sharing!
ooooof, that prickly grass. THAT is such a quintessential summer memory for me from "up home." I always used to find that prickly grass with my bare feet. ha! What a fabulous reading list! Thanks for that and the joy you are feeling over the 250th. I feel it in this post, and I have needed that. "Warrior Rivers" what a wonderful chapter name.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad SOMEONE (and SOMEWHERE) is having a fabulous 250th. The whole thing has kind of escaped me...or I let it go.
ReplyDeleteThe stormy-seeming sky in the painting also adds to the tension of a possible argument. I'm cheering for the man to be the one who turns and makes amends. I want him to show her his softer, empathetic side, and I want him not to hide it away again.
George Washing and the General's Dog is a favorite from Frank Murphy. Love "hearts caught in a summer riptide." Happy 4th, Irene!
ReplyDeleteI love "hearts caught in a summer riptide." Isn't it always a question of who will be first?
ReplyDeleteAmerica250 was cancelled (here in DC) because they wouldn't agree to make it about Trump instead of America. So we have Freedom250 instead, which is a sad state of affairs. But I am very glad you have Alabama250! It sounds like a blast, and I love the photo of you. That is a great painting, so expressive. "Summer riptide" indeed!
ReplyDeleteMy neighborhood had a parade last Saturday, such a lot of fun to see, especially the kids with decorated bikes! I love reading what you've been doing that connects to the history, too, Irene - sounds really great! And the poem - reflects that art to me, too. Love your "riptide" and "prickly", words that fill in the couple's feelings, but makes me sad when it's such a beautiful day! Happy Fourth to you & yours!
ReplyDeleteLove the reach in the end of your poem, there's hope there in the midsts of the muck! Great pic, happy 4th, thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh I love "hearts caught in a summer riptide."
ReplyDelete“Who will be the first to reach?” Such a great example of just a little rip that can be undone with a single reach (great word choice).
ReplyDeleteI second Marcie's vote for "hearts caught in a summer riptide." And, thank you for all these terrific book titles! I love that you have gotten so involved in your local events. I've been researching local land state Revolutionary War history here (there's a ton) and enjoyed the unveiling of a statue last weekend of Dicey Langston, our local 15-y-o girl-turned-accidental-spy who saved a bunch of Patriots. You are adorable in that photo, btw. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI loved your interpretation of their posture, Irene. It felt spot on. The Trinet is new to me and one I will have to try. Your words,"all heat, bees, and prickly grass—" give all the tension and emotion between them so beautifully. Thanks too for the book recs. Will check them out. Happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteFor me the prickly grass says it all. A moment of disagreement and discomfort. A terrific Trinet, Irene.
ReplyDeleteIrene, perhaps the heat brought on the argument in your poem or maybe it increases the agitation but your words were touching. After the argument the apologies begin, "who will
ReplyDeletebe first/to reach?" The painting is beautiful and I love your imagination to create this poem. It looks like you indulged in the 250 celebrations.
Hmmm. I'm not sure why my comment from two days ago didn't show up, but I wrote about how the painting certainly does feel like they are positioned for an argument or just after having one. Maybe they are just lost in their own thoughts. Anyway, I also, hate conflict and will go to great lengths to avoid it. Yay, for peace!
ReplyDelete