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Thursday, November 29, 2018

Poetry Friday - Edward Hopper


           It's time again for Poetry Friday. Thanks for hosting, Carol Wilcox, a few blocks north of me, at Carol's Corner! Don't miss her post, a wonderful one about verse novels. 




          I am fortunate to have the time to work at the used bookstore where I volunteer. If you already don't know, it's a store that's been running for nearly fifty years, a non-profit 501 (c) 4, first started by a small group of women who thought the community should have a bookstore! One also can become a member, though it's not necessary, and as a member, one receives credits, for the fee per year and for books donated. Thus, I find a lot of books that one could say are 'free'. Recently a book about Edward Hopper was donated and I snapped it up, am enjoying reading about his life, learning about his career from beginning to the end. Its copyright is 1983. I have written a few poems using Hopper's paintings. Each one inspires a story, doesn't it?  Now inspired by the book and one of Hopper's favorites, Here's one of my poems.




          
after Edward Hopper’s Gas


My Uncle Bill walked into the picture,
shutting down the tanks
of his gas station
at the edge of town,
closing at dusk,
homebound for supper.

What only I can see 

is the fireworks stand
at the back,
knocked together wood planks,
red, white and blue bunting
draping the table's front. 
Sometimes I got to help,
my life's favorite paycheck –
sparklers. 

You also cannot know

he retired when the big stations
took over, 
in the big towns,
with the big prices.

That's when everyone

in this small town
had to drive twelve miles,
no longer could say
"fill 'er up",
but had to pump the gas themselves,
while missing my Uncle Bill.

Linda Baie (c) All Right Reserved



24 comments:

  1. You captured me with your narrative poem-story painted with words of Hopper's imagery–and brought me right into the sign's of the time. Thanks Linda, for walking me into "the picture" with "Uncle Bill–" loved the momentary transport…

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. It was lovely to go back and to remember this time with a dear uncle.

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  2. That is so perfect, Linda--both for the painting and for those of us who grew up in small towns.

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    1. I have so many fond memories of this town where I grew up & continued being there, still visit when I go to Missouri, Jane. This is one. Thanks!

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  3. How wonderful to jump right into the painting and give it a whole story, a whole town.

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    1. Thanks, Liz, I enjoyed the writing down of this memory, and of course, love the painting.

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  4. Love your poem -- a poignant story for a wonderful painting. Your work at the used bookstore sounds like a dream job. What treasures you must come across on a regular basis!

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    1. Yes, the bookstore work is a pleasure, Jama, my dream job after teaching! I try hard not to bring home something every time I go, but it isn't easy! I hadn't planned to read about Hopper more than I already had, until this book! And I hadn't planned to write about my Uncle Bill until the painting! Thank you!

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  5. Linda, I really enjoyed jumping into the picture with you and Uncle Bill. Your poem reminds me of a slice of Americana from a not too far away time period. Life was simpler back and so rich in story. Thanks for sharing. I am putting together a lesson using American artwork from this time period and would like to share your poem with the teachers, if that is alright with you.

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    1. Thank you for the compliment of sharing, Carol. Certainly you can. Hopper's works would be wonderful to use for your workshop, too. I do enjoy writing a 'story' from paintings, sometimes imagined, sometimes a memory.

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  6. I love this-- your poem matches the Hopper painting perfectly. And really captures the plight of the small town businessperson. I don't get into the Park Hill bookstore nearly often enough!

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    1. Thanks, Carol. It was a wonderful time writing this about my uncle. I'm sure you are busy and now the furnace! We have added a bonus for teachers, FYI, 30 extra credits! Hope you will drop in sometime.

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  7. I know I have told you before that you should write your life story, but I'll say it again!
    This line "my life's favorite paycheck –/sparklers" <3 <3 <3

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  8. "...my life's favorite paycheck - / sparklers." I love that - and love Hopper, too. He's the perect artist for a voyeur, isn't he? You're always kind of looking in, through a real or metaphorical window, on someone else's story. Only you've made this one into your own story! Thanks, Linda.

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    1. You're welcome, Julie & thank you for coming by. I do love Hopper's work & am enjoying this book very much.

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  9. I love this, Linda. And I love that your interest in art and story. Keep up the good work, my friend!

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    1. Thank you, Diane. It is a pleasure to respond to beautiful pictures with my words.

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  10. I, too, was transported into the picture and your story. Thank you for sharing your memories!

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  11. A wonderful ekphrastic poem that takes us back to a different time. I love imagining the story. And how a painting can lead to a memory to a poem. You inspire me.

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    1. Thanks, Margaret, It is a pleasure to read this book about Hopper & find such beautiful art that connects.

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  12. Oooh -- I'm very curious about this book! Thanks for posting about it, Linda.

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  13. This is so wonderful! I love the combination of the art and your family story.

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