Friday, March 23, 2018

WORLD MAKE WAY: An Anthology of Poetry about Art from the Metropolitan Museum


ABOUT THE BOOK
“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” —Leonardo da Vinci
Based on this simple statement by Leonardo, 18 poets have written new poems inspired by some of the most popular works in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum. The collection represents a wide range of poets and artists, including acclaimed children’s poets Marilyn Singer, Alma Flor Alda, and Carole Boston Weatherford and popular artists such as Mary Cassatt, Fernando Botero, Winslow Homer, and Utagawa Hiroshige.
Accompanying the artwork and specially commissioned poems is an introduction, biographies of each poet and artist, and an index.

Release Date: March 27, 2018

NOTE
I am thrilled to tell you that I have a poem included in this beautiful anthology, which was edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins! I wrote it about a painting of a horse (Night-Shining White) done by Han Gan who lived in China in the 8th century. I got the inspiration for my poem by reading the following information about the painting provided by the Metropolitan Museum of Art:

A leading horse painter of the Tang dynasty, Han Gan was known for capturing not only the likeness of a horse but also its spirit. This painting, the most famous work attributed to the artist, is a portrait of a charger of Emperor Xuanzong (r. 712–56). With its burning eye, flaring nostrils, and dancing hoofs, the fiery-tempered horse epitomizes Chinese myths about Central Asian "celestial steeds" that "sweated blood" and were actually dragons in disguise. The seals and inscriptions added to the painting and its borders by later owners and appreciators are a distinctive feature of Chinese collecting and connoisseurship. The addition of more than one thousand years of seals and comments offers a vivid testimony of the work's transmission and its impact on later generations.




NIGHT-SHINING WHITE
By Elaine Magliaro

I am a charger,

    a heavenly steed—

       best of my breed.

I am a dragon

    in horsey disguise,

        flashing fire through my eyes.

My sweat is blood-red.

    The mane on my head

        stands stiff as a crown.

I prance through a town,

    my emperor astride me.

        How he loves to ride me—

          parade me around

            as my hooves stomp the ground.

 

I am a charger,

    a stout-hearted steed.

I race into battle—

    taking the lead.

The emperor’s favorite,

    I don’t fear a fight.

I am daring and brave.

   

I am

    Night-Shining White.

***************
 
Laura Purdie Salas has the Poetry Friday Roundup at Writing the World for Kids.


13 comments:

Doraine said...

What a lovely poem , Elaine. Congratulations!

jama said...

Fabulous poem, Elaine!! Congrats on being included in the new anthology -- can't wait to see it!

laurasalas said...

Oooh, love that, Elaine! And can't wait to read Lee's newest!

Tabatha said...

Sweated blood, wow! That would be something to behold...and I think a dragon-horse like that could make me run away if I were in the opposing army. Very nice, Elaine!

Linda B said...

Another lovely anthology to love, Elaine. I love what you wrote to go with that painting, and ending with the title. Wonderful!

Molly Hogan said...

What a fabulous poem, Elaine! Congratulations to you on your inclusion in this anthology. What a treasure it must be! (Note to self--yet another book to add to that wish list!)

Kimberly Hutmacher said...

Your poem is beautiful, and I cannot wait to read this entire collection.

Michelle Heidenrich Barnes said...

A dragon in horsey disguise — love that! Congratulations, Elaine. It looks to be an outstanding collection.

Catherine Flynn said...

Congratulations! This book looks like a real treasure. Your poem is wonderful, Elaine, and thank you for the background. I love hearing about how a poem originated.

Linda Mitchell said...

Oh, my goodness! I need this book. And, I love this post from the opening Davinci quote to the news that a poem of yours is included in the anthology. Many, many congratulations. The horse....has the heart of an artists with all that he imagines that he is and will be. Wonderful poem. Again, congrats!

Kay said...

Ohhhh...what a lovely poem. The collection looks fantastic! Congratulations on being included in it!

jan godown annino said...

"I am a dragon
in horse disguise.."
Wow - that image.

Brava! for working with Lee Bennett Hopkins on this book.
I have other friends who are in it & also
have heard Marilyn Nelson & others I admire from
afar are part of the art celebration. Plus - he selected some of my
heartbeat visual artists. Book is on my list!
Appreciations for the head's up, dear Elaine.

Charles Waters said...

Gorgeous poem, Elaine! So, so good!