Thursday, January 31, 2013

Poetry Friday: Postcards in Fashion

Dear Poetry Friday fans and readers, the theme for today's post is fashion.

Army green is so last year,
but Poetry Friday is always in style.

I have recently connected with an old friend (we met in 7th grade) who loves hats as much as I do, but is much more facionable than I. Check out her blog-with-an-attitude, Pretty Cripple.

I should have realized when I learned about Museum of Fine Arts, Boston's current vintage postcard exhibit, "The Postcard Age," that postcards are on-trend. Since I began the 44 Postcard Project, I've heard about postcard websites (Post Secret) and literary postcard contests (Geist).

But it wasn't until last night that I realized: Postcards are the new Black, this season's height of literary and artistic fashion.

Last night, the Academy of American Poets posted this:

http://www.poets.org/images/npm2013_poster_540.jpg
The 2013 National Poetry Month Poster
I spy postcards!
You can order your *free* poster at Poets.org. Every year, I order one for myself and one for each of the schools where I have residencies.

In keeping with our fashion theme, Postcard 21 is the height of vintage fashion. When I spotted this postcard in a local antique store, I knew I had to have it for the project. It has just the right blend of haute couture and hairball. This postcard puts the "kit" in kitschy.

"Glamour Puss"
On the day that I wrote the accompanying poem for this card, Baltimore was suffering from a long week of gray, January days. I was still suffering from mid-project brain mush. Please forgive the light verse.

The Weather of Late is Gray

There's nothing
like a pair of
ladies' gloves
to lend
a certain vigor
to the hands.
I roll pink satin
over fingers,
arms
and feel
less angry
at umbrella stands. 

by Laura Shovan

Postcard Information: "GLAMOUR PUSS"
"Plastichrome"®by Colourpicture, Boston 15, Mass., U.S.A.

I happen to own a very elegant pair of vintage ladies gloves. They are perfect for the symphony.


From Retropolitan in Old Ellicott City.
Unfortunately, I could not get Sam the Schnauzer to pose like the kitten on the postcard. Heck, he won't even wear his Ravens jersey for Superbowl week.


Who needs accessories when you've got these eyebrows?
Let's take this poetry party over to Teaching Authors. They are hosting this week's Poetry Friday soiree.

23 comments:

  1. Yay for "vigor"! Love the leopard print gloves.

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    1. Hi, Diane. The gloves are like Prozac for your hands.

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  2. Sam is one cute pooch - he looks like a fella with a lot of opinions. And another lovely poem for your postcard collection - this one made me smile.

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    1. Sam is a sweet boy but does speak his mind, especially when someone walks by our yard. He prefers bare fur to fashion.

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  3. The gloves are amazing, Laura. I used to have a solemn tan pair (when much younger), but you've made me remember the rolling-an art! I love the rhythm of your poem, think many good poems are about tiny things, like yours. I liked it.

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    1. Thank you Linda. The project is teaching me to appreciate tiny subjects. It has been a good creative stretch.

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  4. Great post! I love those brilliant pink gloves. We could use some snazzle over here too...

    Off to order my poster!

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    1. Accessories are a classy, sassy mood-lifter. Like St. Johns Wort you can wear.

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  5. Love this post (and hats and gloves)! And eyebrows too. :) You were ahead of the curve with the whole postcard thing -- I'm sure the Academy of American Poets was just following your lead with their new poster . . . they *are* crediting you, right? :D

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    1. Haha, Jama. I am a member of the Academy but was in no way consulted on tbe poster. It was serendipity !

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  6. I agree about gloves lending

    "a certain vigor
    to the hands."

    I need to start getting my hands on such lovely pairs of gloves!! And your postcard post remind me no less than the extraordinary correspondence of Griffin & Sabine, an all-time favorite work of mine. :)

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    1. I loved that series, Fats. It might be due for a reread. Loved the multisensory aspects of G&S.

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  7. I love the idea that postcards are the "new black"! Thanks for sharing your pooch and poem this morning - both have just the right attitude. =)

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    1. Glad to bring a smile to your day, Bridgette. I have a surprising # of poems where pink appears.

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  8. I'm happy to see I'm not the only one growing sick of gray winter skies. I love those gloves--both the pink and the leopard. And I love that the poem sounds like an ad. These postcards are contagious.

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    1. Thank you Liz. Its a gorgeous day here today. Purple Friday!!

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  9. Wow. I do love those gloves and the "vigor"!

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    1. Shop vintage! Another time i will post pix of my $12 leather trench coat. Vintage 70s.

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  10. This is such a wonderful project. I love the gloves!

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  11. Now I want a pair of gloves! ("Prozac for your hands," eh?)

    There aren't very many rhymes that are haven't been done before, but I think you've done it -- Yay, umbrella stands!

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  12. You are clever,
    even able to give dull grey
    cachet!

    I think it's wonderful that you happened onto a project that's 'trending' (as they say in twitter-speak).

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  13. "puts the 'kit' in kitschy" !! HAH!!

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  14. Thanks, Sherry, Tabatha and Violet -- I'm glad the card and poem brought a smile.

    Mary Lee, it's good to know someone shares my sense of humor :-)

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