ARTPARK: SUMMER SENSES

ArtPark is back with Summer Sensations! The irrepressible Jane Wood has this to say about the current gathering of student poems and display in Wilson, North Carolina.



"The elementary school where I presented ArtPark this spring was Rock Ridge Elementary; they have five 4th grades. How perfect, I thought, for encouraging the students to write their thoughts on "summer" with each class taking one of the 5 senses. First I discussed the value of writing from a stream of consciousness concept rather than "working" at sentence structure or rhyme. I then assigned one of the senses per class and allowed each 10 minutes to compose. This way I was assured of no parent or peer involvement. The students seemed excited to be freed up,so to speak, to put down thoughts as they came to them. It's a wonderful way to stress originality! And that's what ArtPark is all about - developing the imagination and independent thinking!"

Jane was especially happy with the sensory poetic energy this spring board generated. What a great way to begin the summer!





SUMMER SMELLS

…LIKE ROSES

by Damaris Sontes


… LIKE POOL WATER, CHLORINE
by Madison Hux


…LIKE LEMONADE
by Luis Rodriguez


…LIKE THE SALTY OCEAN
by Caroline Smith


…FRESHLY CUT GRASS
by Maddie Eatman


…SWEAT
by Wayne Hittell


…HOTDOGS ON THE GRILL
by Grayson Dail

SUMMER SIGHTS

…CRANE IN THE POND EATING FISH,
FOX RUNNING FROM MY PAPA’S DOGS,
HONEYBEES DANCING AND BUZZING,
FROGS HOPPING FROM LILYPAD TO LILYPAD
by Austin Wells


…THE BIG SUN IN THE SKY
by Kody Williams


…A RIVER WHERE I GO FISHING
by Auston Applewhite


…FLUTTERING BUTTERFLIES,
DRAGONFLIES OVER THE POOL,
ANTS MAKING NEW HOMES,
AT NIGHT - THE MOON
by Kayla Crisp


…KIDS PLAYING IN THE SAND AT THE BEACH,
WATER SPLASHING OVER MY FACE IN THE POOL
by Katelyn Davis

SUMMER SOUNDS

…WAVES AT THE OCEAN CRASHING ON THE SAND,
KITES MAKING A “WOOSH” IN THE WIND
by Morgan Turner


…BOOM! BOOM! (THUNDER.) IT’S GOING TO RAIN
by Allexis Bullock


…KIDS SCREAMING, “NO MORE SCHOOL!”
by Noah Vick


…BIRDS SINGING
by Naize Strickland


…THE BUZZING OF BEES,
HISSING OF SNAKES,
THE SWEEPING OF A BLANKET
AS IT’S PLACED ON THE GROUND
FOR A PICNIC
by Dustin Holley


…THE LAST DROP OF RAIN
FROM THE LAST SPRING SHOWER
by Dylan Joyner

SUMMER TASTES

…SWEET FRESH CANTALOUPE
by Cooper Dean

…LEMONADE ON A HOT DAY,
SALT WATER WHILE SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN,
SWEAT RUNNING INTO MY MOUTH
by Courtney Hittell

…FRUIT SMOOTHIES COOLING ME OFF
by Morgan Loflin

…STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, WATERMELON
by Hunter Thorne

...GREEN DELICIOUS CUCUMBERS
by Madison Hinnant

SHRIMP
by Abbott Bass

…ICE CREAM AND POPSICLES
by Ethan Glover

HOT DOGS, CHEESEBURGERS, ICE CREAM
by Brendan Hurley

FRESH GARDEN PEAS
by Sara Beth Howard

SUMMER TOUCHES

…FOOTBALLS, SOCCER BALLS, BASEBALLS,
ROCKS TO SKIP ACROSS THE WATER
by Colton Turner


…A PERSON’S LIFE
WHEN YOU PLAY TOGETHER IN THE SUMMER
by Jessica Stevens


…SAND TICKLING MY TOES,
MOM’S HAND TAKING ME INTO THE WATER
by Reina Navarro


…BABY SQUIRRELS, BUMBLE BEE STINGS
by Senaida Macamio


…MY ARM’S WEAVING THROUGH WATER
LIKE A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY
by Catherine Laporte


...SCALY FISH, SLIMY FROGS,
THE TEXTURE OF SUMMER THINGS
by Jonathan Bullock

WILDING A TAME HEART: One Naturalist's Experiences

Mellifluous Messenger

Above all avian voices
Mockingbird mocks
the courting call of Cardinal
cheerful greeting of Wren
taunt of Jay

He conceals not his mime
but in the sunshine he sings
Defies the black of night
and the thunder
that causes trees to shudder
and bow to wind driven wash

Did Caesar blare so gallantly
to inspire victory
Scheherazade sing sweeter for her life
Could he dance
would he bewitch as Solome

Does he pierce the ear
to prove each generation
an imitation of an imitation of an imitation

My friend Jane Wood of Wilson, NC, has just published a book drawing together columns from the Wilson newspaper, where her essays on nature and her dances with it have graced the pages for a number of years. Jane is also a poet, and if you've been following My Laureate's Lasso, you know that she has done pioneer-woman work in bringing poetry to fourth graders in her county. She's been doing it for a coon's age. She's a state treasure, if ever there was one. Here's one of the essays from her WILDING A TAME HEART:0ne naturalist's experiences. You may order the book directly from Jane herself. She opted out of Amazon, preferring to have personal contact with her readers. Here's her address:
10717 Old Bailey Hwy., Wilson NC 27896 (252) 243-6708. The book is $14.95, plus tax ($1.05) and shipping ($2.75) total price $18.75.


Moonlight and Mockingbirds

by Jane Wood

We're all familiar with the "boss" of our backyard bird kingdom, the mockingbird. Don't we know people with the same obnoxious, gabby, demanding personality? Whew! How tiresome they are! And yet that bird, as those people, does have redeeming graces.

The mocker, like our friends or family members, is so alive, so alert, so attentive to everything and everyone in his world that he cannot be ignored. He is exuberant to the point of stealing the songs of other birds and performing them by imitation, a cappella. I've always heard that imitation is the finest form of flattery. Of course Mr. Mocker just might be trying, in desperation, to be accepted. He isn't alone in his habit of bogus song however; the brown thrasher is also a class act of vocal ersatz. Both birds are long legged, long tailed and long beaked. Both are keenly alive and active and visible during mating season.

The bird that deserves a "Bravo" for exceptional performance is Mr. Mocker. He rivals Pavarotti with his solo concerts. Oh, yes, and he does have a captive audience; what else are we doing in the middle of a moonlit summer night? What other competition, as far as worldly noise, is there? This bird mounts a fence post or low tree branch stage and belts out magnificent arias. Well, maybe they're not original since his repertoire is made up of stolen melodies, but we're living in a world where everything can be explained away as either politically or non-politically correct. So who am I to condemn plagiarism?

Moonlight. Why the appeal? Is it due to legend? Is there really a connection to the energy in the human mind? I think so. I am restless on full moon nights. I have this urge to get out of bed and go into the deep woods behind my house. Yes, I have done that, and it is exhilarating! Once I even coached my grandson to accompany me. At age five he was a bit awed by it all - the nocturnal choir, the shadows, the towering silhouettes… mosquitoes. But I felt a connection with the luminous moonlight all melted down on the forest floor. We stood perfectly still and took in the night sounds around us - awesome! It was a different world!

Remember, we learned in school that in Latin the word for moon is "luna." Picture the lovely pale green luna moth that comes out on summer nights to feed, then disappears at dawn. We also are aware that a derivative of luna is lunatic. Could that apply to those who are drawn into the moon light for a different kind of
nourishment?

ARTPARK: EAT YOUR VEGGIES (Wilson County Public Library)

Jane Wood and her 4th graders have brought us ArtPark's latest theme-- Eat Your Veggies. The school featured is Community Christian School. Jane says, "I asked the students to think of a vegetable, allow a picture to form in their minds, then describe the picture. I tell them that the picture is part of their imagination and when they describe it to think about the 5 senses - not to necessarily employ each, but to realize that words connected to the senses make poetry. I allow them 10 minutes to compose, that way I don't get parental involvement or best friend suggestions; it is their very own work."

The shots were made at the Public Library display as ArtPark's magical display area at the Arts Council is dismantled due to renovation. Here's hoping the Wilson County Arts Council will keep this memorable niche in their building and send the message that the arts begin with our children. If they don't grow up loving the arts, there will someday be none. Attention politicians and arts committees! We can't let our budgetary restrictions keep such programs from our next generations.

Because all of these photographs are so colorful, I'm simply going to post them and let you wander through the display. Have fun! And a special thanks to Cindy Long for her photographs!

ARTPARK: SNOW TIME BY HEARNE ELEMENATARY SCHOOL FOURTH GRADERS

(ArtPark display at the Wilson County Arts Council)

I can't think of a better time to feature the new ArtPark poems and displays on the theme of Snow Time. The temperature is supposed to drop to 8 degrees tonight here in the mountains, and although we don't have any snow yet, we plan to spend the night huddled by the fire, dreaming about snow!.



As you can see in this post, Jane Wood has done it again, inspiring Wilson County students to write poems and create displays around the chosen theme. As she explains, "I discuss the 5 senses at length with my classes and the importance of listening to one's own inner voice. I then give the students a theme (such as "Snow") and allow them 10 minutes to write their thoughts. I tell them that they do not have to make complete sentences, nor do their thoughts have to rhyme. I want them to realize that poems often begin with a conglomerate of feelings about a given subject, and that originality is the keynote."

Featured in the current ArtPark displays are Hearne Elementary 4th graders, their work found in 3 ArtPark display areas - The Arts Council, Wilson Public Library, and the local YMCA. CONGRATULATIONS, HEARNE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS!

SNOW TIME REFLECTIONS

bY

4^TH Grade – Hearne Elementary

Wilson, NC



Snow is a handful of love

by Daega Goode












(ArtPark display at the Wilson County YMCA)


Oh, oh, how I love snow

So many things to do

You could make a snowman

or

go to a snowy mountain

on a nature hike

by Amber Winstead








(Display at the Wilson County Public Library)



Snow is like whipped cream to me

by Andrew Horne







Snow is white like a bunny’s tail

by Austin Adams






Snowball

Snow angel

Snowman

Snow sled

Snowflake

Snowstorm

by Jayvon Williams








You can make a snowman

with sticks for arms

and carrot for nose

by Eric Mobley












I do not like snow

because

people cannot drive

and

you cannot go to school

by Legacy Eatmon








When it snows

it covers the grass

and makes it look beautiful

by Betzayda Hernandez





Snow is white as clouds

You can have fun with family and friends

making up games

using your imagination

by Guadalupe Hernandez








Snow is like a cold soft pillow

The white flakes make a pretty blanket

by sticking together

by Tykeem Allen










Snow is peaceful falling down

Snow is soundless

Snow freezes my hands

Snow melts in my mouth

Wow! It is cold

by Shonia Hooks

Thanksgiving Feast:THINGS WITH WINGS, second course

And who better to serve the second course of "Things With Wings" than Jane Wood herself. Jane's yard looks like the sort of place where things with wings would like to visit, though I'm not so sure she would be happy about dragons! Maybe little ones? That look like moths? But Cupid? Of course he would be welcome anytime.



______________________________
CUPID

Fluttering his wings of love

by Everett Hinnant

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HUMMINGBIRDS

Hummingbirds flapping wings
At the speed of light
Humming their favorite song
Drinking their nectar

by Everett Hinnant
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An owl is a night creature
It flies like a hawk
The noise you hear
Is nothing

by Natalie Craven

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Flying fish with scales
Flying dragon with colors
Flying tooth-fairy with a gown

by Natalie Craven


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AIRPLANES

Airplanes are so cool
They fought in World War 1 and 11
It’s been over a hundred years since
The Wrights made the first flight

by Elizabeth Daniels

-----------------------


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BUTTERFLY

Winged beauty
Plays as the sun goes up
A picture to see
For you and me
A butterfly flying gracefully

by Haley Beamon

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(I just couldn't resist adding this photo I took in August. It's one of my favorites!)


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DRAGONFLY

I heard a buzzing in the sky
I watched it fly
I saw a bit of light
Then
It flew away

by Catherine Potter

-----------------------



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DRAGONS AND BIRDS

Dragons have wings as big as swings
That could crush kings.
Birds have wings really little.

by Perry Wheeler
-------------------------


Pink and fluffy
Feathery puff
A flamingo

by Haley Beamon

---------------------------
A dragon looks like a moth

by Jyquan Davis

Thanksgiving Feast: ArtParK: THINGS WITH WINGS, first course

(Becky Long, Photo credits)
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LADYBUG

Wings and spots
My favorite insect
Some are the same
Some are different
Eats gnats
Ladybugs
Make me smile

by Haley Beamon
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My friend Jane Wood, over in Wilson, has been at it again. You may remember my summer's post on her project, but if not please take at look at it: http://ncpoetlaureate.blogspot.com/2008/08/celebrating-artpark-in-wilson-county.html.

This time the students have written poems on the theme of "Things With Wings" and created an exhibition in the Wilson County Art Council's ArtPark Space. These poems and their exhibition were completed in September, but between my journey to Hungary in October and several travels for readings afterward, I decided to wait until I had the time I needed to enjoy working with these poems and images. The time now is just right-- making them my Thanksgiving feature, so that I can give thanks to Jane and the Wilson County Arts Council, not to mention the student poets and their teachers, for the remarkable job they are doing for the arts in North Carolina. A special thanks to photographer Becky Long for the photographs in this and the following post.



Jane began her emails to me about this current theme with an extraordinary poem by an extraordinary young student. She also explains the selection process for ArtPark.

"The student, Lindeman Edgar (even her name is unique!) is my Student Advisor for this school year. I select a student on the basis of their interest in poetry. They do the selecting of the poems that appear in my ArtPark column in The Courier and also choose the poems to be used in the ArtPark displays. I think my students like the idea of one of their peers doing the picking and choosing rather than me or their teachers.These student advisors are usually 5th or 6th graders. Since I present to 4th graders that eliminates them having to judge their classmates' work."

Here is the poem. Please click on it to make it larger, if you are having trouble reading it.



I will intersperse the visuals from the exhibition with poems written by fourth graders at St. Therese School. I wish they could meet the 5th graders at Sugar Loaf Elementary in Taylorsville. What a Thanksgiving poetry fest we could have then!



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ANGELS

Angels flying in the sun
Halos sparkling like stars
Beautiful wings glowing in the moonlight…

by Preston Rhyne
---------------------------


(by Matthew Joyner)

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FIREFLIES

Wings light up like a flashlight,
beautiful as butterflies…

by Catherine Potter

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THE MIGHTY GRYPHON

The power
Of the fierce gryphon
With its mighty roar
With great wings it soars
Its sharp claws are a powerful sword

by Sam Quinn
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THINGS WITH WINGS

Pegasus flying through Greece
Butterflies escaping cocoons
Angels swimming through the air
Planes flying high in the sky
Turkeys flying for shelter
Dragons flying…

by Michael Glennon