Open your mind, James Agee!
Ease your brokenness from the inside.
Burn the fragrant wood for a moment of peace.
Beat your message on the drum.
Paddle up the river, and swim with a moose.
Your inner self is waiting through the arched doorway.
The fields of nature, the circles and wheels,
The paths to self.
Slow down the chirping of the wood thrush
'Til they sound like dolphins,
Soothing, the "ruah" breath.
Leave your door open, James.
Collage and poem by Margaret
Hello Margaret
ReplyDeleteI googled James Agee and know nothing of him but I appreciate the sentiment behind your poem...that is well supported by the golden glows in your collage
Happy days Margaret
hey margaret, nice work - the writing and the collage. i'm reading a book by richard wagamese - a full blood ojibway - in which he recollects his memories as a boy growing up in foster homes. this poem segued nicely into that whole experience. have a lovely day. steven
ReplyDeleteHi Margaret! What a lovely poem and collage! I love the idea of swimming with a moose! I didn't know who James Agee was either, but I still really enjoyed reading your poetry. The collage is brilliant!
ReplyDelete:-)
Wonderful to see your creativity and inspiration breathing fresh life through words and imagery.
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented! The poem and the collage are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMagaret...the collage and poem are as one...that was a feat in itself...I love the song of a wood thrush...a pair live near the house all summer...leave for the winter and return in the spring every year within the same 3 day period.
ReplyDeleteun ptit bisoux courant d'air...
ReplyDeletej'espère que tu vas bien....:)je repasse bientot...
très joli ton post du jour....
bises...:)
Hi Delwyn! There was a review about Agee in the NY Times with a few photos. I was struck by the way he looked and what a tragic life he led. Then the poem came from this feeling I had about him and the other components of the collage, too. Another device for writing poetry, I guess!
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Hi Steven! Yes, that inner torment comes from experiences such as broken homes; I think in Agee's case, he lost his father at the age of 16.
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Hi Rain! Thanks! I found Agee's face so compelling and then his story was so sad; I worked the collage around that and then the poem.
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Hi Lynne! Thanks! It's fun, isn't it?
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Hi Gry! Thanks! How did you become so bilingual?
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Hi Wanda! Yes, I wrote the poem about the collage, but I also wanted it to work alone as poetry. That's definitely a pair of wood thrush, isn't it? I had to look it up. You know everything about nature!
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Chere Clo, je suis ravie d'entendre de toi. Que tu vas bien? Je suis contente que tu as passe parce que je m'inquietais. prends ton temps pour te retablir. Chaque chose a sont temps. Bises! @(^-^)@
What an uplifting poem!
ReplyDeleteHi Margaret...the collage and poem are wonderful. Have a great day...julie
ReplyDeletewho is James Agee? I think you will have to tell us at whom your poem is directed. it is very lovely, whoever he may be.
ReplyDeleteI commented on the Texan/Oklahoman lady's blog and offered to help, but I've heard nothing.
Beautiful work arising out of such compassion. Collage and words combine to make a soothing balm.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon! Thanks! Yes, I wanted it to be positive.
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Hi Julie! Thanks! It's a very absorbing and interesting project to do.
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Hi Friko! James Agee was a writer: screenplay for The African Queen and author of A Death in the Family which won a Pulitzer Prize. More to the point, he lived a troubled life, became an alcoholic, and died at age 45. there was a biography written about him which was reviewed in The New York Times Book Review. I was drawn to the contemplative expression on his face and cut out the photo for my collage box. Because his life was troubled, I worked the collage around healing, learning to love life, so I don't think we need to know him necessarily, but you are right: we need to know for whom (in the sense of what kind of person) this was made.
I checked a Rose and a Baby Ruth and left her a comment to contact you (I didn't see your comment under that particular post? it was a picture of the postcard written in German.) Thanks, Friko! xxox
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Hi Bonnie! Thanks! Yes, I wanted the message to be one of hope and affirming life.
Great post Mags I love the collage and poem. Like some others he never knew that how appreciated he was while on this earth. Lovely tribute.
ReplyDeleteHi Blues! You are so right. You're quite a movie buff: did you see his Te African Queen or the Night of the Hunter (though there is some question about that one)?
ReplyDeleteThey are both great movies I feel I have seen The African Queen many times and Night of the Hunter several times as well. Night of the Hunter is twisted and keeps you on your seats edge. I love the scene with Shelly winters in the river and her hair flowing like the grass. Its a favorite and in my collection. Thanks again for sharing
ReplyDeleteCool! I've been noticing your incredible knowledge of music, too. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeletei know james agee. i read him in college. your poetry is filled with images that flow and then contrast. i liked it very much, esp. the ending.
ReplyDeleteand your collage, margaret, so autumnal and calming.
it's a pleasure to stop by. and thank you very much for your kind comments on my blog.
xo
Hi kj! Thanks for your kind comments. It is an interesting approach to writing: starting with the visual and seeing what it has to tell you.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying your blog immensely. So creative, and we should all have an alter ego (shadow self)! xxox