Poetry Friday: Postcards Are Everywhere

I had a wonderful email from Linda Baie of Teacher Dance this week. It said, "Postcards are everywhere! Do you want to see more?"

Notice what the artist has added in this postcard extension:
a child reaching for bananas or for a butterfly.

Yes!

I wrote back to Linda, "I just love the idea that a postcard poem works in the same/similar way as your students' art -- as an extension of what is already there."

The project comes from Linda's school, The Logan School for Creative Learning -- a school for gifted children. Linda said, "This is an Advanced School Class of which there are three (11-14 years) and this class just happened to do this project. The teacher's name is Jamie Newton."

The assignment was to choose a postcard and complete the story, hence some art projects have the title, "Wish You Were Here."

Six Van Gogh vases expands into 24 bouquets.

I happened to choose a floral postcard for #17. Those of you who are following the project know that I've been in a mid-way rut. It began around poem/postcard 15 (remember the pelican pie?) and extended into... well, I'll let you know when it's over.

One way I tried to trick myself out of the rut was writing in a traditional form. Postcard poem #17 is a triolet. The repeating lines and tight rhyme scheme are a challenge, but a strict form is also a good way to box a large subject, such as marriage.

Cutting Gladiole on Our Anniversary

Romans named her for her sword-shaped leaves,

which pierce the bouquet-giver’s heart with passion.

I go down to the garden with rolled sleeves --

Romans named her for her sword-shaped leaves --

to cut some blooming stems. Perhaps we’ve

(my love and I) out-stayed our fair love’s ration.

Romans named her for her sword-shaped leaves,

which pierce the bouquet-giver’s heart with passion.

by Laura Shovan

Postcard Information:

Nr. 21 Gladiole/ The Gladiole/ La Gladiole © Sulamith Wülfing (View the artwork here.)

Distribution: Sulamith Wülfing BV, Runstraat 32, Amsterdam Holland”

Students at Linda's school extended their art from the postcard, adding to the visual story. I used an image of gladiolus flowers as a jumping off point to explore marriage.

(Once again, a little research -- this time on the etymology and symbolism of the gladiolus -- was required to find my "hook" into the poem. One phrase in the poem is borrowed heavily from Teleflora's website.)

More postcard extensions from Jamie Newton's talented class:

Georgia O'Keeffe has appeared in one of the postcard poems. (#13)
Can anyone confirm that this is O'Keeffe or share a title?

Adding something to the story: a bird in flight.
What will happen when the third cardinal lands?

Wisely, the artist decided that the other skiiers in this scene
should be appropriately dressed for the weather.

I'll post a few more of these wonderful postcard art projects in my next post. Thank you to Linda for sharing these with me and to Jamie Newton for giving me permission to post the photographs.

I am participating in a poetry reading this Sunday afernoon (Lit & Art Series at Balitmore's Watermark Gallery). I have collected so many postcards that I plan to give some away to other poets and artists. As you can see from the work above, postcards are great for launching creative ideas.

Today's Poetry Friday host is Tabatha at The Opposite of Indifference. We are meeting for lunch on Monday and I can't wait to talk poetry with her in person.