In honor of National Poetry Month I share with you “Wild Geese” — written and read by Mary Oliver

This is one of my favorite poems from one of my favorite poets.  This poem reveled poetry in a whole new light and converted me to a poetry fan. For this I am incredibly thankful.  

'dress of poetry ...'

Because of this poem, and a 
poem penned by an insanely great writer and friend, inspired me to create my 'dress of poetry ...', one of the few pieces from my dressproject that can be worn.  

Click here to learn the story behind my 'dress of poetry ...'

WILD GEESE
by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

hopefully this video works, if not here is the link: 

https://youtu.be/T_nKg3TBzpU?si=MLPmx3CjLQ9SEl_u

here is the 'Wild Geese' panel in progress - on the ironing board

the story behind: the 'dress of poetry ...'

"You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves."  Mary Oliver

'dress of poetry ...'  the story:  

'dress of poetry ...' 2007

this dress comes from my rediscovery of poetry and a deep desire to celebrate this revival. As I student I did not understand much of the poetry that I was taught, hence I didn’t read poetry once I was done with school. So for decades I avoided poetry but thanks to the magic of poet Mary Oliver, I wasn’t a lost cause.

me with author/poet Heather Panahi

It was near the start of the ‘dressproject’ and a friend introduced me Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese, and I fell in love. I suddenly saw that poems had so much to offer, they were paintings, but instead of paint and brushstrokes they used words, creating emotion, still-life and stories, little snippets of life and our surroundings. It was during this budding love affair that my dear friend and fine author, Heather Panahi, wrote a poem inspired by my dressproject and with that I knew that I was to make a dressproject dress/sculpture of poetry.

For the next weeks I could be seen carrying mountains of poetry books where ever I went. I read and researched many poems for this dress, choosing the ones that either represented a passage in my life; such as my experience in high school when I had the honor of hearing Gwendolyn Brooks read her poem We Real Cool, or ones that constituted a new discovery which spoke to me; like The Secret by Denise Levertov. I was immersed in the world of imagery, alliteration and rhyme and loving it.

my dad with me before the opening

As I collected more and more poems I decided to make this dress be one that I could wear, and this still is the only dress from my dressproject that can be worn. I was intrigued by the idea of wearing the poems, being surrounded and embraced by all the wondrous words. As the word spread that I planned to wear my ‘dress of poetry …’ to an opening reception friends became curious. They asked me if I was going to produce a book of the poems. They explained that I would need something so that people will be able to read the poems that they had watch me collect for months. My answer to this inquiry was a resounding ’no’. I explained that I had designed the dress so that the poems were printed on panels which people could lift up to read.

part of fashion show in SOWA

To this my friends laughed and reminded themselves that I had not grown up in the Boston area; then they explained to me, ‘no Bostonian is going to touch you or the dress, even if it is just to read the poems.’ They were quasi-correct, it was only later in the evening that some folks worked up the nerve to read my dress, and I believe that was thanks to the open bar.

' Upon further Consideration'
at Regis College, 2011

Since the opening reception the ‘dress of poetry ….’ has inspired myself and others in numerous venues, and has lead to other poetic projects. In 2012, I had the honor of working with the Attleboro Public Library and the Attleboro community , creating the collaborative installation, the ‘birds of poetry’. During the project, the ‘dress of poetry’ held court in the library as the ‘birds of poetry’ took flight through the library’s atrium.

'poetic' 4 dec. 2013
part of my decemberdresses series 

The ‘dress of poetry …’ cemented my personal love of poetry. Through its creation and its exhibits I have discovered more and more wonderful poems, and I have witnessed the power of poetry, in children, in adults, in students and in myself.

holding court at the
attleboro Public Library

'birds of poetry ...' 2012

'bird of poetry ...' 2012

 links to related blog posts mentioned above:

Fun and Fashion in SOWA

'the dress to the rescue' . . . a tale of loss and redemption via the dress

"Upon Further Consideration: what tells a story" at Regis College

Mary Oliver reading 'Wild Geese' 

First day of the Birds of Poetry install

The Peace of Wild Things
  WENDELL BERRY
mixed media illustration of another one of
my favorite poems ... but I have so many!!!

peace, va

If you are in the area of Attleboro . . .

As usual, the day before an opening and I am madly sending out emails, evites and announcements.  

If you are in the area, there are a few places where one could see my work in the next few weeks:

First, there is the 'Birds of Poetry' installation at the Attleboro Public Library ~ 

 And then down the street I have 7 pieces in the Attleboro Arts Museum's 8 Visions Exhibit ~ 

(3 of the pieces have never been exhibited before :)

And then this is what it is like to be a daughter of a mom who is working all the time . . .

peace

First day of the Birds of Poetry install

pictures from my first day of installing the Birds of Poetry at the Attleboro Public Library - it was a long but wonderful day!!! Thank you to everyone who helped ~ especially my two stellar helpers!!! 

Peace & good night!!!

so much to do, so little time . . .

where to begin . . .

Dress of Poetry on display at Attleboro Public Library

today I am heading to Attleboro to start the install of the Birds of Poetry!! I have two wonderful assistants with me and we are going to primp the birds, get them already for flight then, if TIME allows,  launch them into the atrium.

birds in process

I also plan to stop by the Attleboro Arts Museum to see the exhibit On the Threshold – A National Juried Exhibition (July 14 – August 10, 2012).  I was hoping to make it to the opening last Wednesday but nasty thunderstorms and flash flooding put an end to that idea.  But will make there today to see the show.

'uterus' in "on the threshold'

 While at the museum I will be picking up announcement for their next show, 8 Visions – Work from 8 Juried Member Artists in which I am also exhibiting!! I am really excited about this opportunity!! and, when I can, I am frantically working in my studio to finish some NEW pieces. Here is the info about that show : 

Exhibition: August 21 – September 15, 2012

Opening Reception: Wednesday, Aug 22nd from 7 – 9pm. Free and open to the public.

Saturday, Sept 8th: Gallery Talk, 2-4pm.  Free and open to the public. Kindly reserve your space by Thursday, September 6th. 508-222-2644  

Also last week I meet with the folks at JP Knit and Stitch and discussed performing 'insatiable' at their adorable shop during this years JP Open Studios!! Again, so excited!!! to sit in this inspiring place and crochet on 'insatiable' for hours ~ truly my idea of bliss.  

So on Sept. 22 & 23 you will find me 461 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA, crocheting away!  I will also be selling my dresscards ( need to make that money thing :)  Here are some samples I made for JP Knit - with the paper for the dresses based on fiber arts and knitting.  I also borrowed some of their awesome fabric for some dresses!! So mark your calendars and stop by.  

 ALSO they want me to teach an organic crocheting workshop in the Fall ~

SO FUN!!! 

Now off to Attleboro!! 

peace