Irene Latham's Blog, page 66

ARTSPEAK! Harlem Renaissance poem "Sorrow"

Welcome to day #19 of 2018 ARTSPEAK!, in which I am focusing on art and artists from the Harlem Renaissance. Today I am still enjoying events with Charles Waters in New York City!

Before we get to today's poem, please be sure and visit Michelle Kogan to see how our Progressive Poem is progressing!

Today I'm continuing my Harlem Renaissance poetry project with a look at sculptor Meta Warrick Fuller.

Talk about a woman ahead of her time! Fuller was a poet, artist and sculptor -- the first African American woman sculptor to rise to any sort of prominence. She was also a feminist and activist. Her works celebrated African American heritage and focus mostly on themes of identity -- never shying away from the horrible (see A Silent Protest Against Mob Violence) . Even Auguste Rodin admired her work. And here is a favorite quote from Fuller herself:
<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> <br /><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">“Let us train ourselves to see beauty in 'black.'”</span></b></div><br /><b>Here are the poems in the series so far:</b><br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... John Henry</a>" after <i>When John Henry Was a Baby</i> by Palmer Hayden<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... Music"</a> after <i>Untitled</i> by Palmer Hayden<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... (Sub)way of Looking"</a> after <i>The Subway, 1930</i> by Palmer Hayden<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... to Mama"</a> after <i>Madonna at the Stoop</i> by Palmer Hayden<br /><div><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... Love of the Game" </a>after <i>Checkers Game</i> by Palmer Hayden</div><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... Birthday Birds of Bonaventure Island"</a> after <i>Birds of Isle de Bonaventure</i> by Palmer Hayden<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... Dock, Early Evening</a>" after <i>Boats at the Dock</i> by Palmer Hayden<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... for the Berry Pickers"</a> after <i>Berry Pickers</i> by Palmer Hayden<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... Books Are the Only Playground I Need"</a> after <i>Among Them is a Girl Reading</i> by Palmer Hayden<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... after <i>Octoroon Girl</i> by Archibald Motley<br /><a href="https://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018... after <i>Barbecue</i> by Archibald Motley<br /><div><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... Idyll, 1934"</a> after <i>An Idyll of the Deep South</i> by Aaron Douglas<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... Toiler"</a> after <i>The Toiler</i> by Aaron Douglas<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... There Be Poetry" </a>after <i>The Creation</i> by Aaron Douglas<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... with Plane"</a> after <i>Boy with Plane</i> by Aaron Douglas<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... a Dancer"</a> after <i>Sahdji (Tribal Women)</i> by Aaron Douglas<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... the Builders"</a> after <i>Building More Stately Mansions</i> by Aaron Douglas<br /><a href="http://irenelatham.blogspot.com/2018/... Poem is a Dream" </a>after <i>Aspiration </i>by Aaron Douglas<br /><br />Today's piece is called <i>Sorrow.</i> It shows a mother's anguish upon the death of a child. What a tough thing to write about... and the thing that immediately leapt to my mind was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LtrX... Lover's Gone"</a> by Dido. I decided to use it as sort-of a mentor text. Also, I was thinking of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttEMY... by Leonard Cohen. I love the lines: "Love is not a victory march, it's a broken Hallelujah." I wanted to see what I might say about sorrow. I'm not sure I've found "it" yet, but here is my start! I love when my mind turns to music for inspiration.<br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQSHPqnUwc..." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQSHPqnUwc..." width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Sorrow</b></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">my baby's gone</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">her breath no longer</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">warms my breast</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">she left at dawn</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">as I slept I felt her slip</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">so cold so cold</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">sorrow's not a well run dry</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">it's a mountain stream</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">gushing down </div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">                    down</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">my baby's gone</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">no lullaby will ever </div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">bring her back to me</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">bring her back to me</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>- Irene Latham</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><i><br /></i><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=..." width="100%"></iframe>

ARTSPEAK! Harlem Renaissance poem "My John Henry"

Welcome to day #18 of 2018 ARTSPEAK!, in which I am focusing on art and artists from the Harlem Renaissance. Today I am enjoying events with Charles Waters in New York City!

Before we get to today's poem, please be sure and visit Christie and Wondering and Wandering to see how our Progressive Poem is progressing!

Today I'm continuing my Harlem Renaissance poetry project with a final piece Palmer Hayden. Tomorrow I'll introduce sculptor Meta Warrick Fuller.

Here are the poems in the series so far:

"Night Music" after Untitled by Palmer Hayden
"A (Sub)way of Looking" after The Subway, 1930 by Palmer Hayden
"Girl to Mama" after Madonna at the Stoop by Palmer Hayden
"For Love of the Game" after Checkers Game by Palmer Hayden"The Birthday Birds of Bonaventure Island" after Birds of Isle de Bonaventure by Palmer Hayden
"Boat Dock, Early Evening" after Boats at the Dock by Palmer Hayden
"Prayer for the Berry Pickers" after Berry Pickers by Palmer Hayden
"Sometimes Books Are the Only Playground I Need" after Among Them is a Girl Reading by Palmer Hayden
"Measurements" after Octoroon Girl by Archibald Motley
"Barbeque" after Barbecue by Archibald Motley
"American Idyll, 1934" after An Idyll of the Deep South by Aaron Douglas
"The Toiler" after The Toiler by Aaron Douglas
"Let There Be Poetry" after The Creation by Aaron Douglas
"Boy with Plane" after Boy with Plane by Aaron Douglas
"To a Dancer" after Sahdji (Tribal Women) by Aaron Douglas
"For the Builders" after Building More Stately Mansions by Aaron Douglas
"This Poem is a Dream" after Aspiration by Aaron Douglas
I learned in the book HARLEM STOMP! that Hayden was a janitor and then came to prominence as the first winner of the Harmon Foundation art competition in 1926 (an art contest created to recognize African American artists). Much of Hayden's work centered on black American life, legends and folk heroes. He was criticized for lapsing into a portrayal of blacks that seemed rooted in cultural stereotypes, a reminder that “blacks were performing for a white audience.” I also love the information about Palmer's life and work found here.

And I love this quote: "I decided to paint to support my love of art, rather than have art support me." — Palmer Hayden quoted in Nora Holt, "Painter Palmer Hayden Symbolizes John Henry," New York Times, 1 Feb. 1947. 

Today's piece is called When John Henry Was a Baby. Remember the legend of John Henry? Palmer Hayden did a number of pieces about John Henry. Like me, you probably remember the song. As I approached this piece, I knew that I didn't want to repeat the story; I wanted to bring something new in my poem. So I started thinking about John Henry's mother, and his relationship with her. What might he tell him? How did she influence the man he later became? Is this how she might remember him after his death?



<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> </span></span><br /><br /><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>My John Henry</b></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;">A wiggler and a wanderer,</span></span></div><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><br /><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;">he sure did love that little hammer!</span></span></div><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><br /><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><br /><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;">And each time a train whistle shattered</span></span></div><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;">the sky, how he'd pull toward it.</span></span></div><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I knew that boy was going places.</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I knew he'd do great things.</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">But, oh, how I long</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">to hold him in my lap again!</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">What I'd give to hear his chattering,</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">sweeter than any chickensong.</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">My John Henry may have driven steel,</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">but he had sunflowers in his eyes.</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>- Irene Latham</i></div></span></span><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=..." width="100%"></iframe>

ARTSPEAK! Harlem Renaissance poem "Night Music"

Welcome to day #17 of 2018 ARTSPEAK!, in which I am focusing on art and artists from the Harlem Renaissance.

Before we get to today's poem, please be sure and visit Ruth at There is no such thing as a Godforsaken town to see how our Progressive Poem is progressing!

Today I'm continuing my Harlem Renaissance poetry project with another piece Palmer Hayden. Just one more day, and then we'll move onto sculptor Meta Warrick Fuller.

Here are the poems in the series so far:

"A (Sub)way of Looking" after The Subway, 1930 by Palmer Hayden
"Girl to Mama" after Madonna at the Stoop by Palmer Hayden
"For Love of the Game" after Checkers Game by Palmer Hayden"The Birthday Birds of Bonaventure Island" after Birds of Isle de Bonaventure by Palmer Hayden
"Boat Dock, Early Evening" after Boats at the Dock by Palmer Hayden
"Prayer for the Berry Pickers" after Berry Pickers by Palmer Hayden
"Sometimes Books Are the Only Playground I Need" after Among Them is a Girl Reading by Palmer Hayden
"Measurements" after Octoroon Girl by Archibald Motley
"Barbeque" after Barbecue by Archibald Motley
"American Idyll, 1934" after An Idyll of the Deep South by Aaron Douglas
"The Toiler" after The Toiler by Aaron Douglas
"Let There Be Poetry" after The Creation by Aaron Douglas
"Boy with Plane" after Boy with Plane by Aaron Douglas
"To a Dancer" after Sahdji (Tribal Women) by Aaron Douglas
"For the Builders" after Building More Stately Mansions by Aaron Douglas
"This Poem is a Dream" after Aspiration by Aaron Douglas
I learned in the book HARLEM STOMP! that Hayden was a janitor and then came to prominence as the first winner of the Harmon Foundation art competition in 1926 (an art contest created to recognize African American artists). Much of Hayden's work centered on black American life, legends and folk heroes. He was criticized for lapsing into a portrayal of blacks that seemed rooted in cultural stereotypes, a reminder that “blacks were performing for a white audience.” I also love the information about Palmer's life and work found here.

And I love this quote: "I decided to paint to support my love of art, rather than have art support me." — Palmer Hayden quoted in Nora Holt, "Painter Palmer Hayden Symbolizes John Henry," New York Times, 1 Feb. 1947. 

Today's piece is called Untitled by Palmer Hayden. I was drawn to this piece instantly -- maybe because I DO dream of music. :) However, I feel like "dreaming of music" os a bit of a cliche... so I wanted to do something different. Often when I am fighting a cliche, I find that "less is more." (Which IS a cliche! Ha!) And that's exactly how I was able to move forward -- by thinking short and punchy. I don't know... this was the best I could do with the time I allot each morning for this process! I DO like the unexpectedness of the trumpet blast being the sound that put this man to "sleep at last."



Night Music
drumbeat easy feet
guitar strum dream hum
trumpet blast sleep at last. <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>- Irene Latham</i></div><span style="color: #081f2c;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=..." width="100%"></iframe>

ARTSPEAK! Harlem Renaissance poem "A (Sub)way of Looking"

Welcome to day #16 of 2018 ARTSPEAK!, in which I am focusing on art and artists from the Harlem Renaissance.

Before we get to today's poem, please be sure and visit Sarah Grace Tuttle to see how our Progressive Poem is progressing!

Today I'm continuing my Harlem Renaissance poetry project with another piece Palmer Hayden. We'll stick with him two more days!

Here are the poems in the series so far:

"Girl to Mama" after Madonna at the Stoop by Palmer Hayden
"For Love of the Game" after Checkers Game by Palmer Hayden"The Birthday Birds of Bonaventure Island" after Birds of Isle de Bonaventure by Palmer Hayden
"Boat Dock, Early Evening" after Boats at the Dock by Palmer Hayden
"Prayer for the Berry Pickers" after Berry Pickers by Palmer Hayden
"Sometimes Books Are the Only Playground I Need" after Among Them is a Girl Reading by Palmer Hayden
"Measurements" after Octoroon Girl by Archibald Motley
"Barbeque" after Barbecue by Archibald Motley
"American Idyll, 1934" after An Idyll of the Deep South by Aaron Douglas
"The Toiler" after The Toiler by Aaron Douglas
"Let There Be Poetry" after The Creation by Aaron Douglas
"Boy with Plane" after Boy with Plane by Aaron Douglas
"To a Dancer" after Sahdji (Tribal Women) by Aaron Douglas
"For the Builders" after Building More Stately Mansions by Aaron Douglas
"This Poem is a Dream" after Aspiration by Aaron Douglas
I learned in the book HARLEM STOMP! that Hayden was a janitor and then came to prominence as the first winner of the Harmon Foundation art competition in 1926 (an art contest created to recognize African American artists). Much of Hayden's work centered on black American life, legends and folk heroes. He was criticized for lapsing into a portrayal of blacks that seemed rooted in cultural stereotypes, a reminder that “blacks were performing for a white audience.” I also love the information about Palmer's life and work found here.

And I love this quote: "I decided to paint to support my love of art, rather than have art support me." — Palmer Hayden quoted in Nora Holt, "Painter Palmer Hayden Symbolizes John Henry," New York Times, 1 Feb. 1947. 

Today's piece is called The Subway, 1930, which is fitting, because later today I will be in New York City! Yay!

As I was thinking about what to write, it seemed to me that the subway hasn't changed all that much. If anything, we are MORE isolating than ever, what with all our devices and earbuds, etc. Here's where I landed:




A (Sub)way of Looking
No one sees anyoneon the subway.
Bodies press close/closebut mind-doors whoosh shut
before handholds are securedand train jerks forward
on a track that clacks,me me me me me –
What if, instead, everyone looked someone
right in the eye,smiled a good-day smile,
<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> </span></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">said, <i>hi, how are you?</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>- Irene Latham</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br /></i></div><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=..." width="100%"></iframe>

ARTSPEAK! Harlem Renaissance poem "Girl to Mama"

Welcome to day #15 of 2018 ARTSPEAK!, in which I am focusing on art and artists from the Harlem Renaissance.

Before we get to today's poem, please be sure and visit Donna at Mainely Write to see how our Progressive Poem is progressing!

Today I'm continuing my Harlem Renaissance poetry project with another piece Palmer Hayden. We'll stick with him a couple more days!

Here are the poems in the series so far:

"For Love of the Game" after Checkers Game by Palmer Hayden
"The Birthday Birds of Bonaventure Island" after Birds of Isle de Bonaventure by Palmer Hayden
"Boat Dock, Early Evening" after Boats at the Dock by Palmer Hayden
"Prayer for the Berry Pickers" after Berry Pickers by Palmer Hayden
"Sometimes Books Are the Only Playground I Need" after Among Them is a Girl Reading by Palmer Hayden
"Measurements" after Octoroon Girl by Archibald Motley
"Barbeque" after Barbecue by Archibald Motley
"American Idyll, 1934" after An Idyll of the Deep South by Aaron Douglas
"The Toiler" after The Toiler by Aaron Douglas
"Let There Be Poetry" after The Creation by Aaron Douglas
"Boy with Plane" after Boy with Plane by Aaron Douglas
"To a Dancer" after Sahdji (Tribal Women) by Aaron Douglas
"For the Builders" after Building More Stately Mansions by Aaron Douglas
"This Poem is a Dream" after Aspiration by Aaron Douglas
I learned in the book HARLEM STOMP! that Hayden was a janitor and then came to prominence as the first winner of the Harmon Foundation art competition in 1926 (an art contest created to recognize African American artists). Much of Hayden's work centered on black American life, legends and folk heroes. He was criticized for lapsing into a portrayal of blacks that seemed rooted in cultural stereotypes, a reminder that “blacks were performing for a white audience.” I also love the information about Palmer's life and work found here.

And I love this quote: "I decided to paint to support my love of art, rather than have art support me." — Palmer Hayden quoted in Nora Holt, "Painter Palmer Hayden Symbolizes John Henry," New York Times, 1 Feb. 1947. 

Today's piece is called Madonna of the Stoop. And it's fitting because I've just spent time with my mother! I've long written about the mother-daughter relationship, how rich and complex it is, and how fortunate I am to have been so well-loved by my own mother. Moments with her are a treasure! And so, with a nod to Harlem Renaissance poem Langston Hughes' "Mother to Son," I give you "Girl to Mama."




Girl to Mama
I say, Mama,that halo you forced upon my headis dented nowand dingy with layers of dust.
And those angelwingsyou stitchedupon my back?Those threadsunraveled long ago.
But you remainMadonna of the stoop,keeper of the lostand tattered.Shine, Mama. <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> </span></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">                     Shine!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>- Irene Latham</i></div><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=..." width="100%"></iframe>

ARTSPEAK! Harlem Renaissance poem "For Love of the Game"

Welcome to day #14 of 2018 ARTSPEAK!, in which I am focusing on art and artists from the Harlem Renaissance. Today I am participating in the Word of the South Festival ... on stage at noon, with author-illustrator Laura Freeman.

Before we get to today's poem, please be sure and visit Heidi at my juicy little universe to see how our Progressive Poem is progressing!

Today I'm continuing my Harlem Renaissance poetry project by introducing another artist, the third so far in this series: Palmer Hayden.

Here are the poems in the series so far:

"The Birthday Birds of Bonaventure Island" after Birds of Isle de Bonaventure by Palmer Hayden
"Boat Dock, Early Evening" after Boats at the Dock by Palmer Hayden
"Prayer for the Berry Pickers" after Berry Pickers by Palmer Hayden
"Sometimes Books Are the Only Playground I Need" after Among Them is a Girl Reading by Palmer Hayden
"Measurements" after Octoroon Girl by Archibald Motley
"Barbeque" after Barbecue by Archibald Motley
"American Idyll, 1934" after An Idyll of the Deep South by Aaron Douglas
"The Toiler" after The Toiler by Aaron Douglas
"Let There Be Poetry" after The Creation by Aaron Douglas
"Boy with Plane" after Boy with Plane by Aaron Douglas
"To a Dancer" after Sahdji (Tribal Women) by Aaron Douglas
"For the Builders" after Building More Stately Mansions by Aaron Douglas
"This Poem is a Dream" after Aspiration by Aaron Douglas
I learned in the book HARLEM STOMP! that Hayden was a janitor and then came to prominence as the first winner of the Harmon Foundation art competition in 1926 (an art contest created to recognize African American artists). Much of Hayden's work centered on black American life, legends and folk heroes. He was criticized for lapsing into a portrayal of blacks that seemed rooted in cultural stereotypes, a reminder that “blacks were performing for a white audience.” I also love the information about Palmer's life and work found here.

And I love this quote: "I decided to paint to support my love of art, rather than have art support me." — Palmer Hayden quoted in Nora Holt, "Painter Palmer Hayden Symbolizes John Henry," New York Times, 1 Feb. 1947. We'll be sticking with Hayden for a few more days.

Today's piece is called "Checkers Game." It totally makes me think of our middle son, who is a passionate gamer. He loves video games best, but he also enjoys cards and chess... been a while since we've played checkers.... must remedy! This one is for you, Andrew!

For Love of the Game
- for Andrew


I love to play a board gamea scored gamea make-me-a-lord game!I love to sit across from youand see the win unfurling.
I love to play a board gamean adored gamea can't-be-ignored game –Happiness fills my chestwhen strategies are whirling.
I love my hours at the board; win or lose, gaming is its own reward.
- Irene Latham
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ARTSPEAK! Harlem Renaissance poem "The Birthday Birds of Bonaventure Island" (for Lee)

Welcome to day #13 of 2018 ARTSPEAK!, in which I am focusing on art and artists from the Harlem Renaissance. Today I am in Tallahassee, FL, where I will be visiting family (yay!) and participating in the Word of the South Festival tomorrow... on stage at noon, with author-illustrator Laura Freeman.

And it's a very special Poetry Friday, thanks to our hostess with the mostest, Robyn Hood Black, who's throwing a birthday party for the one and only Lee Bennett Hopkins!!! Be sure to grab cake and confetti and other mayhem during today's Roundup at Life on the Deckle Edge.

To celebrate, I decided to write today's poem for Lee!

Before we get to today's poem, please be sure and visit Linda at A Word Edgewise to see how our Progressive Poem is progressing!

Today I'm continuing my Harlem Renaissance poetry project by introducing another artist, the third so far in this series: Palmer Hayden.

Here are the poems in the series so far:

"Boat Dock, Early Evening" after Boats at the Dock by Palmer Hayden
"Prayer for the Berry Pickers" after Berry Pickers by Palmer Hayden
"Sometimes Books Are the Only Playground I Need" after Among Them is a Girl Reading by Palmer Hayden
"Measurements" after Octoroon Girl by Archibald Motley
"Barbeque" after Barbecue by Archibald Motley
"American Idyll, 1934" after An Idyll of the Deep South by Aaron Douglas
"The Toiler" after The Toiler by Aaron Douglas
"Let There Be Poetry" after The Creation by Aaron Douglas
"Boy with Plane" after Boy with Plane by Aaron Douglas
"To a Dancer" after Sahdji (Tribal Women) by Aaron Douglas
"For the Builders" after Building More Stately Mansions by Aaron Douglas
"This Poem is a Dream" after Aspiration by Aaron Douglas
I learned in the book HARLEM STOMP! that Hayden was a janitor and then came to prominence as the first winner of the Harmon Foundation art competition in 1926 (an art contest created to recognize African American artists). Much of Hayden's work centered on black American life, legends and folk heroes. He was criticized for lapsing into a portrayal of blacks that seemed rooted in cultural stereotypes, a reminder that “blacks were performing for a white audience.” I also love the information about Palmer's life and work found here.

And I love this quote: "I decided to paint to support my love of art, rather than have art support me." — Palmer Hayden quoted in Nora Holt, "Painter Palmer Hayden Symbolizes John Henry," New York Times, 1 Feb. 1947. We'll be sticking with Hayden for a few more days.

One thing I learned about Palmer Hayden is that he painted a lot of boats and seascapes, both here in the U.S. and in Europe... and Canada, as it turns out! I learned that thanks to today's piece: Isle de Bonaventure.

The Isle of Bonaventure is off the coast of Quebec, Canada, and it is hosts a significant migratory bird population. The birds in the painting are gannets (which I'd never heard of). It's their black-tipped wings that give them away! Read more here.

And since today is Lee's birthday, and we're all celebrating, I thought first of playing a version of "Happy Birthday" on my cello, but I'm in a hotel room (!), and so I thought the best I could do is make my poem somehow about Lee's birthday. Here's where I landed. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEE!

The Birthday Birds of Bonaventure Island- for Lee Bennett Hopkins on his 80th birthday
The gannets wing in same time each year
their graceful white bodieswarming the sky,
each wingbeatechoing past year's journey:
its hurricanes and oil spills
its glide-rise currentsand stunning skyscapes.
Have you ever seenso many birds?
Look closer:their black tipped wings
are commas,urging you onward,
                        ever onward. <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> <br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>- Irene Latham</i></div><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=..." width="100%"></iframe>

ARTSPEAK! Harlem Renaissance poem "Boat Dock, Early Evening"

Welcome to day #12 of 2018 ARTSPEAK!, in which I am focusing on art and artists from the Harlem Renaissance. Today I am in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, at one of my favorite-ever events: Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival!

Before we get to today's poem, please be sure and visit Carol at Beyond LiteracyLink to see how our Progressive Poem is progressing!

Today I'm continuing my Harlem Renaissance poetry project by introducing another artist, the third so far in this series: Palmer Hayden.

Here are the poems in the series so far:

"Prayer for the Berry Pickers" after Berry Pickers by Palmer Hayden
"Sometimes Books Are the Only Playground I Need" after Among Them is a Girl Reading by Palmer Hayden
"Measurements" after Octoroon Girl by Archibald Motley
"Barbeque" after Barbecue by Archibald Motley
"American Idyll, 1934" after An Idyll of the Deep South by Aaron Douglas
"The Toiler" after The Toiler by Aaron Douglas
"Let There Be Poetry" after The Creation by Aaron Douglas
"Boy with Plane" after Boy with Plane by Aaron Douglas
"To a Dancer" after Sahdji (Tribal Women) by Aaron Douglas
"For the Builders" after Building More Stately Mansions by Aaron Douglas
"This Poem is a Dream" after Aspiration by Aaron Douglas
I learned in the book HARLEM STOMP! that Hayden was a janitor and then came to prominence as the first winner of the Harmon Foundation art competition in 1926 (an art contest created to recognize African American artists). Much of Hayden's work centered on black American life, legends and folk heroes. He was criticized for lapsing into a portrayal of blacks that seemed rooted in cultural stereotypes, a reminder that “blacks were performing for a white audience.” I also love the information about Palmer's life and work found here.

And I love this quote: "I decided to paint to support my love of art, rather than have art support me." — Palmer Hayden quoted in Nora Holt, "Painter Palmer Hayden Symbolizes John Henry," New York Times, 1 Feb. 1947. We'll be sticking with Hayden for a few more days.

One thing I learned about Palmer Hayden is that he painted a lot of boats and seascapes, both here in the U.S. and in Europe. And lately my life has included a lot of boats and lakescapes... so, today I give you boats!



Boat Dock, Early Evening
sailboats dozewith eyelids half-closedas dreams of open sealicklap their hulls
- Irene Latham
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ARTSPEAK! Harlem Renaissance poem "Prayer for the Berry Pickers"

Welcome to day #11 of 2018 ARTSPEAK!, in which I am focusing on art and artists from the Harlem Renaissance. Today I am in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, at one of my favorite-ever events: Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival!

Before we get to today's poem, please be sure and visit Brenda at Friendly Fairy Tales to see how our Progressive Poem is progressing!

Today I'm continuing my Harlem Renaissance poetry project by introducing another artist, the third so far in this series: Palmer Hayden.

Here are the poems in the series so far:

"Sometimes Books Are the Only Playground I Need" after Among Them is a Girl Reading by Palmer Hayden
"Measurements" after Octoroon Girl by Archibald Motley
"Barbeque" after Barbecue by Archibald Motley
"American Idyll, 1934" after An Idyll of the Deep South by Aaron Douglas
"The Toiler" after The Toiler by Aaron Douglas
"Let There Be Poetry" after The Creation by Aaron Douglas
"Boy with Plane" after Boy with Plane by Aaron Douglas
"To a Dancer" after Sahdji (Tribal Women) by Aaron Douglas
"For the Builders" after Building More Stately Mansions by Aaron Douglas
"This Poem is a Dream" after Aspiration by Aaron Douglas
I learned in the book HARLEM STOMP! that Hayden was a janitor and then came to prominence as the first winner of the Harmon Foundation art competition in 1926 (an art contest created to recognize African American artists). Much of Hayden's work centered on black American life, legends and folk heroes. He was criticized for lapsing into a portrayal of blacks that seemed rooted in cultural stereotypes, a reminder that “blacks were performing for a white audience.” I also love the information about Palmer's life and work found here.

And I love this quote: "I decided to paint to support my love of art, rather than have art support me." — Palmer Hayden quoted in Nora Holt, "Painter Palmer Hayden Symbolizes John Henry," New York Times, 1 Feb. 1947. We'll be sticking with Hayden for the next week! 

Today's piece is called Berry Pickers. I've been berry picking before, and it brings warm family memories... and in this pic there appears to be three generations represented. Here's where I landed:


Prayer for the Berry Pickers
May tender sun ever guideyou to sweetness
May gray dograttle snakes from brambles
May your buckets hang light,then heavy
May you know the flavorof sunlight and rain
May your purpling fingertipsbring grins, giggles
May you leave plentyfor birds and bears to feast
May your love for one anotherripen, not rot
May warm scent of berries <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> </span></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">ever remind you of this day</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>- Irene Latham</i></div><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=..." width="100%"></iframe>

ARTSPEAK! Harlem Renaissance poem "Sometimes Books Are the Only Playground I Need"

Welcome to day #10 of 2018 ARTSPEAK!, in which I am focusing on art and artists from the Harlem Renaissance.

Before we get to today's poem, please be sure and visit Matt at Radio, Rhythm, and Rhyme to see how our Progressive Poem is progressing!

Today I'm continuing my Harlem Renaissance poetry project by introducing another artist, the third so far in this series: Palmer Hayden.

Here are the poems in the series so far:

"Measurements" after Octoroon Girl by Archibald Motley
"Barbeque" after Barbecue by Archibald Motley
"American Idyll, 1934" after An Idyll of the Deep South by Aaron Douglas
"The Toiler" after The Toiler by Aaron Douglas
"Let There Be Poetry" after The Creation by Aaron Douglas
"Boy with Plane" after Boy with Plane by Aaron Douglas
"To a Dancer" after Sahdji (Tribal Women) by Aaron Douglas
"For the Builders" after Building More Stately Mansions by Aaron Douglas
"This Poem is a Dream" after Aspiration by Aaron Douglas
I learned in the book HARLEM STOMP! that Hayden was a janitor and then came to prominence as the first winner of the Harmon Foundation art competition in 1926 (an art contest created to recognize African American artists). Much of Hayden's work centered on black American life, legends and folk heroes. He was criticized for lapsing into a portrayal of blacks that seemed rooted in cultural stereotypes, a reminder that “blacks were performing for a white audience.” I also love the information about Palmer's life and work found here.

And I love this quote: "I decided to paint to support my love of art, rather than have art support me." — Palmer Hayden quoted in Nora Holt, "Painter Palmer Hayden Symbolizes John Henry," New York Times, 1 Feb. 1947. We'll be sticking with Hayden for the next week! The first painting I've selected is of a girl reading.

<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MoeqmYOVTT..." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MoeqmYOVTT..." width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;"><b>Sometimes Books Are the Only Playground I Need</b></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I swing across pages,</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">slide down polished words.</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Instead of cloudwisp skies,</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">I enjoy brushstroke art –</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">colors bloom on every page!</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Papa says art tells its own story,</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">same as my plaid skirt</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">says something about me.</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Does that mean I'm sassy?</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Smart? Colorful?</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">It's something to think about</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">as I see-saw each page,</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">inviting these pictures</div><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } </style> <br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">to merry-go-round my world.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>- Irene Latham</i></div><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=..." width="100%"></iframe>