In the book, Moyers' first subject is poet Stanley Kunitz. He refers to Kunitz reading of his poem, The Lincoln Relics, at the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival. He quotes some lines that sent me looking for the whole piece. The Civil War, its monuments currently in question, also the subject of a recent inaccurate reference, always speaks to me.
This morning's experience has me vowing to begin my days with poetry, any amount, for even a taste, while a set-up for cravings, nourishes like nothing else. With poetry under our belts, we are no longer running on empty.
Here's the link, a connection to the poem and access to additional information.
8 comments:
Marylinn, my dear, you know what I think of this stupendous idea. If a good breakfast sets you up for the rest of the day physically, I would posit that poetry for breakfast sets you up for the entire day emotionally, mentally--and what a one-two punch that will be for whatever curves life happens to throw at you on any particular day. For me, poetry rights the horizon, especially in these times when immorality, mendacity, xenophobia, misogyny and the worst kind of pernicious racism makes the world tip on its axis. Poetry can give one courage to go on, the strength to resist, the voice to yell out in protest, or just the plain joy of laughing out loud or with delight--because the noise from Washington is not LIFE, it is only an extremely dangerous politics. 45 and his criminals may be stripping away all we hold dear on an hourly basis, but filling oneself with beauty, responding to metaphor, deep thinking, a perfectly described flower in a garden--we cannot be stripped of our souls and our hope unless we cede them or let them wither away. Poetry will help you remember the art you have been called to make. Poetry in the morning--Breakfast of Champions! xoxo
Melissa - Surprised at how replenished I felt, keeping morning company with Bill Moyers and Stanley Kunitz. Truly, I felt undauntable (if that is a word), strengthened. Oh, yes. Poetry is very good medicine. xo
I love this idea! And have also been thinking about Lincoln!
Kathleen - So glad, thank you. And what a glorious way to think about Lincoln. The Moyers' book is rather a gem. xo
Hi Marylinn! I have followed you for years...taken classes taught by you and have quite a collection of Rubbermoon stamps which I treasure with all my heart. I find myself completely relating to you right now, in body and spirit. y health is poor and after a move my apt is far from the home I need and want. I also have adopted a practice of gentle yoga that seems to help me in all ways. So good to not be alone on the journey...thank you very much!!
Beth - Hi back to you. What a boost it is to receive your words, thank you so much. It makes me giddy with happiness that you treasure your Rubbermoon stamps. I'm not sure if you know the company was purchased several years ago by an artist named Kristen Powers who keeps the line alive and growing. In a field where so many designs and their manufacturers have simply vanished, how remarkable that we are still here. I'm sorry to hear that your health is poor, I hope with the yoga you are holding your ground. Will you help me remember at which store - or stores - you took classes? Please forgive me for ways in which my memory has lost some of its sharpness. You are never, never alone on this journey. We are all connected in ways that many may refuse to acknowledge, which doesn't mean it isn't true. Are you on Facebook? I am there as me, I don't know if there are any others with exactly the same name but my photo is a paper toy I made, and my intention - which feels like a mandate - it to share beauty and encouragement (by my definition), nourishment for all of us through the good times and the challenging ones. I understand the way in which we seek what we think of as home and have come to believe that we may be asked to create it for ourselves, an internal interpretation. Wishing you strength and peace and the healing that beauty has always brought to the world. Take good care and again, thank you. xo
Dear Marylinn, Thank you so much for replying!! Great to hear from you!! I took classes at a wee store in Orange County with Toads in the name. My memory can not remember the full name...Toadhill?? They we lovely women and I just adored the store as well as your class! I still have my postage samples and sheets!!! We played with colored pencils and the class was one of my favorites! I worked with Kathy Lewis at Stampa Barbara when it was alive and thriving. I loved the rubberstamp world! My friend and I would travel from store to store looking for the perfect stamp and assorted new tools of the trade. What a wonderful world. I feel in love with Rubbermoon and colored pencils. I still to this day cherish both with all my heart.I follow Kathy Lewis...aka 'kj' on assorted social media. I live in Sierra Madre and play with beads and jewelry among other arts and crafts.
I loved those stamp classes! We all spoke the same language! I also worked with a very ubfriendly woman named Shirley for a year in Tustin. She had a small stamp store as well. I was a single mother of 2 by then and struggling with 2 jobs and 2 little boys. Stamping gave my life a well needed break into creativity which I will cherish forever!!
Thank you again and again for the magical world of Rubbermoon. And yes I found Kristen and have watched her youtube videos with delight.
I am on facebook as Beth Brady...I will look you up!! Take gentle care my friend and know you have brought me such joy through the years and opened a whimsical and colorful world that I still go too often as a retreat!! Thank you again....ginormous hug!!
Beth - Thank you for filling in my blank spaces. The wonderful store was Toad Hall, in Anaheim I believe, and the owner, Terri Bradford Marr, is on FB. I had some extraordinary classes there, my first experience of people who met on-line and shared information about the store and the classes. I STILL play with colored pencils. I got to take one class from Kathy Lewis in Orange County, and have known her through mail and FB over the years. How fun it would have been to work with her and at Stampa Barbara. Every cent of my salary would have gone for merchandise. Did you ever shop or take classes at the San Gabriel Bead Company or its earlier incarnation south of Old Town Pasadena? I don't think I ever knew the store in Tustin you mentioned and feel lucky to have worked with such gracious, enthusiastic store owners. My home store was Stamp Your Heart Out in Claremont, which closed a few years ago. I miss it, as I miss them all. I know there are some big, fabulous stores in other places, like New York. Do you know Kelly Kilmer? She teaches journaling all over the country and still works a lot with stamps. Kristen really keeps stamping fresh and new with her designs and sets and has added charming artists to the roster, whimsy still an outstanding quality. And please, I retreat into color and art play and looking at the inspiring work of others every single day. I am delighted at the joy you take in your art (beads, another weakness though fortunately not at the moment). I often remind myself that in spite of many things, I'm still here, we're still here and I know art is a huge part of that. Big, big hug back. So good to hear from you, and thank you. xo
Post a Comment