Art
by Herman Melville
In placid hours well-pleased we dream
Of many a brave unbodied scheme.
But form to lend, pulsed life create,
What unlike things must meet and mate:
A flame to melt–a wind to freeze;
Sad patience–joyous energies;
Humility–yet pride and scorn;
Instinct and study; love and hate;
Audacity–reverence. These must mate,
And fuse with Jacob’s mystic heart,
To wrestle with the angel–Art.
Ann Leary, author of The Good House
Author of The Good House
Wrestling
October 9, 2009 by 18 Comments
Comments
Speak Your Mind
Oh my, Ann, did Mr Melville ever speak to me this morning as I read his poem!
What a coincidence, I am a quiltmaker and I was recently asked to make a raffle quilt which will support a children’s charity. I said yes right away thinking easy, no problem. Now, having started the piece, my mind is full of doubts, and I’m really wrestling with the design and the workmanship. I suppose this is true of all who work in the arts, including writing.
You were spot on with that poem, thanks a bunch.
: )
wow, why did i try to read that before a cup of coffee… why? why?
Did not understand it until I read Annie’s post. I am one of the few here who is learning how to appreciate poetry – thanks to Ann.
But this one I totally get! YEA! I have been taking acrylic painting classes for 3+ years now, and can so relate to wrestling with “do I paint this – or how do I get it to look like this, or can I even do this?”
What are you wrestling with, Ann?
A new book in the works????
This poem is not just beautiful, it is ravishing. All the paradoxes combined, necessary for art.
Gloria
Yes, Sandy, wrestling with a book proposal. It’s all so lively and engaging when it’s dancing about my head, but when I try to wrestle the words onto the page, they land there with a dull thud and are about as artistic and engaging as …as….see? I just can’t write today. Must go outside.
Bev, do you need the smelling salts now? hehe
I understand it better after reading Annie’s post, but my brain is screaming ‘poetry brakes on!!!!!!’. Still poetically challenged, but getting better. Before you Ann, I wouldn’t even have read it. The brain would have said ‘Poem! Danger! Danger! Avert Eyes, Avert Eyes!!!!!’ Not kidding.
lol@bev
Hello Ann,
I’m reading your blog for a couple of months now and because I am sickly curious (hence my job as a researcher) I decided to leave a message.
We,as Belgians (see map Europe,little blob near sea and between ex-worldnations) can’t go outside.Because of the weather (which is grey at its best) and because half of the people doesn’t understand each other.
So I look with a reasonable envy at your photographs. Horses,cats who actually live outdoors,and children who can have their artistic freedom.
Well,thanks for giving a little slice of real American life to a complete stranger.
Merci beaucoup,
from Brussels with love.
It will come along, Ann – when it is time. Hope you went outside and spent some nurturing time with Mark….he seems to always put things in the right order for you
Barbara – one of my favorite artist’s is from Namur, Belgium – Pol Ledent. Although many of his paintings are bright with abundant colors -there are also many that give a darker feeling. Your description of the weather there, brings more understanding of his works to me. Welcome to this wonderful, eclectic group of people – Ann has created her own world of sorts here….an escape for so many of us.
Tracy, that’s exactly what I did when I first saw it. But now, with all these comments, I am going to go back and read it again. Isn’t Ann wonderful and generous?!
Oh, and Annie, I am a quilter too. Currently working on something one of my daughters “invented.” There is no pattern, nothing is square, and it is all quite challenging (but creative too).
Wow. Now it makes perfect sense. Ann, you are the best! (Ann Fans are amazing too.)
Oh, Julie, so glad to come in contact with a fellow quilter on Ann’s blog. Fun, isn’t it?
Good luck with your work.
: )
Oh Sandy, you are so very not alone here in learning to appreciate new poetry. I must admit, appreciate is my key word here–understanding it is not. I have learned some things about myself however, in the new poetry experience…..I am very much a to the point type of person; say what you mean, no need to dress it all up. Just say it, mean it, be clear about it. My husband would tell you that this is probably why I tend to finish his sentences–he takes forever to finish what he’s saying!! I can say the same thing with half the words. That’s probably why I’m one of those poetry challenged here–I don’t like to sift through all the “stuff”. I’d so much rather read a book…even if the author is creating images, it is in ways that I get, follow or appreciate as part of the story.
But thank you Ann; without the poetry exposure I would not have discovered so many new things about myself and others. And I think that this is part of the beauty of all art…Barbara
Julie, glad to see I’m not the only one. hehehe I’m understanding it much better now. It really is a beautiful poem. And yes, Ann is wonderful and generous in so many ways.
Barbara, welcome, and I’m glad you posted. I feel like saying ‘And now we’re live in Brussels!’ lololol This little blog has reached all over the globe, hasn’t it?
I’m curious about your comment about half the people not understanding each other. What do you mean by that?
Ann, Sandy is right, it will come together when it is right. You can’t force the creative process. It may come when you’re out riding, when you’re sitting outside enjoying the beautiful fall days, or even when you’re in the city for something. Maybe try not to think about it so hard and so much. Relax and let it happen.
Thanks Tracy,
well, Belgium is divided in three different parts. Wallonië/Vlaanderen/Oostkantons. They speak dutch,french and german. But everyone is too stuborn to make a sacrifice and that leads to political conflicts,none of the parties agrees and we even had no gouvernement for over 4 months.
But a part from that it’s a little quirky place to live. Not beautiful or exceptional but very artistic and openminded. I live in the capital and it’s amazing how many American I’ve met in those 10 years.
Annie, thanks for the encouragement. I have been teaching cross stitch and needlepoint for over 25 years (I have absolute stacks of finished pieces sitting around in closets). Several years ago I took a beginners quilting class, (originally so I could do somthing with all those completed canvases and cross stitch bits). I adored it. When my sister was going through her worst, very near the end, these quilting ladies were my saviours. Now I am encorporating all types of these hand crafts together and having a wonderful time with them. Today I made very good progress with the “invented” quilt (only had to rip out a block two times before I finally got it right). Now that Ann forces poetry on me, and you (along with all of these other beautiful blog friends, Tracy specifically) help me to see it from all angles, I am learing even more, and enjoying it for the first time.
Thank you Barbara, I find that fascinating. Three different languages, that would be very confusing. I can’t imagine not having a government for 4 months, how did anything get done?
I’m sure you have met many Americans, we’re everywhere! lololol
Oh and Julie, thank you so much, you are so sweet. I love this blog so much. I’ve made such wonderful friendships here with people that I would never have met. The truly amazing thing is that as we email or talk on facebook, we find at least one thing that really connects us. It’s beautiful and amazing.