It’s time for another ekphrastic, my friends.
This month, with Sara Lewis Holmes at the helm, we wrote poems inspired by artist Jennifer Angus’ exhibit WONDER.
Sara gave us several images to choose from, and here’s the one I went with.
If only we’d all been able to take field trips to see this amazing work in person….
WONDER
By Liz Garton Scanlon
What if everyday
were a cabinet of curiosities
(or actually everyday
is a cabinet of curiosities
but what if we acted
accordingly?) What if
we opened our eyes
each morning
like small sliding drawers
to all the surprises
of the world unspooling
before us – the shrunken
heads and antique spoons?
The fossils? What if we
ooohed and ahhhed?
See my friends’ fabulous efforts here:
Tricia’s poem
Sara’s poem
Kelly’s poem
Andi’s poem
Tanita’s poem
Yes! I want a cabinet like that so I can open drawers every day. Like an old fashioned library card catalog, right? 🙂 Wonderful perspective in this poem, and it’s making me count my blessings.
Now, see? HEREIN lies the difference between you and me: unbridled optimism vs. “dead things in a drawer.”
I like your worldview better.
This is how I feel when I step outside every day. I’m so glad you captured that here.
I love this:
“to all the surprises
of the world unspooling
before us”
This is really lovely. And hopeful.
“(or actually everyday
is a cabinet of curiosities
but what if we acted
accordingly?) ”
YES!!
Yes, I adore that bit, too:
What if
we opened our eyes
each morning
like small sliding drawers
to all the surprises
of the world unspooling
Thank you for eyes to see this, Liz, and a heart to share it. xo
What if? Such a great way to begin my day as a Middle School Librarian. What if we put wonder center stage? Made it the object of our learning and our reading and what pulls us like a tide into the next day?
Oh, I love how you’ve taken this question and made it your own!