OT- Poetry, Valentines, Spring...etc.

[Guest guest]

Ken's poetry and talk of spring led me to free associate. Our poetry group has

been asked to do a formal reading at a local arts center as part of a fireside

series. While we do our own spring reading - rarely do some of us get the

opportunity to read to a group other than one another ( unless I include a poem

when I preach and then I have a captive audience- lol). People will actually pay

to hear us at the Creative Spirit Center.I was thinking of including a poem I

wrote concerning a painting I love by Singer Sargent- Carnation, Lily,

Lily, Rose. It is a midsummer theme but the picture reminds me of a n

valentine. Our local art museum actually used it - but I retained the copyright-

for a small booklet to commemorate their anniversary. (Lest you become

impressed- one of the museum board member is in our group and is a friend of

mine.) It is a villanelle. Let me know what you think. For those who like to

write- it is a fun excercise to take a photo or a painting that you like and to

use it as inspiration as poetry. Sargent actually used words from a song to

inspire him. I am including a link to the painting and the story behind it:

http://www.jssgallery.org/Paintings/Carnation_Lily_Lily_Rose.htm

Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose

We lifted lanterns to the summer night,

We wore carnations in our hair,

We danced in circles in the twilight...

Spinning whistlers tossed in flight,

Laughter rising in the perfumed air,

We lifted lanterns to the summer night...

Fresh and fearless, dressed in white,

Whispering spirits hidden there,

We danced in circles in the twilight...

Newborn roses, each bud held tight

within our hands, with childlike care

we lifted lanterns to the summer night...

Lillies trumpeted " Stars in sight! "

While lost within our garden lair

we danced in circles in the twilight...

Innocence and wisdom, our world was right

within each blossom, sweet and rare.

We lifted lanterns to the summer night.

We danced in circles in the twilight...

Choate August 2003

One of my friends, another writer, said although he liked it, it lacked the

" post modern irony " most publishers look for. Oh well...we need to write what

renews us...right?? Hope you like it...let me know if you think it might be ok

for the reading...Thanks