Patricia Deaton reads Canadian poet S.E. Ingraham’s work at the March 2016 Art of Poetry. The poet was inspired by the Steve McCurry photograph above when she visited the museum for the Fall Face to Face Poetry Gathering in September 2015.  The amazing exhibit which has fueled the work of poets near and far will leave Hickory Museum of Art May 8. Do not miss the opportunity to view the iconic photographer’s breathtaking view from the lens. Photo courtesy of Roger and Ginny Sanford.

S.E. Ingraham
DREAMS UNWANTED
after “Mother and Child Sleeping on Their Houseboat” by Steve McCurry

Hey little one, exhausted into sleep
Did Mama sing you there with your
favourite sweet song?
Or did you fall into your fish-paste
dinner again, too drowsy to stay awake?

Mama’s face wears smooth
peace as she cradles you,
sitting almost upright in
a turquoise hammock-chair.
With her arm flung so casually
behind her head,
it’s difficult to imagine what
nightmares are marching through
her head.

The last time she was here, she
was only five, but she remembers
when the men came in the dark.
The red-kerchiefed rebels routed
almost the whole village,
all of her family certainly.
She tries not to think of that time
but can’t control the dreams;
the color of blood stains every
scene – like a movie drenched
in betel nut spit.

The two of you slumber through
the night, undisturbed by
a fortunate moon shining full,
or the smell of fish permeating
every breeze.
The mosquitos are not droning
yet, and the slither of the snake
on the deck is noiseless.

Details for June 2016 Art of Poetry

The submission deadline is June 4 and the reading will be June 18 at 2:00.

To submit, simply go to the museum and write poems about the works on exhibit.  Please note the dates of eligible exhibits below.  Submissions should:
-include name of the artist and the title of the inspiring work
-be typed in the body of an email (do not send attachments)
-be typed using 12-point Arial font, single spaced
-be sent to Kelly DeMaegd at geneandkelly@charter.net
-Art of Poetry reserves the right to decline work that may not be appropriate in content, or of literary quality as determined by its panel of judges.

Approximately 20 poems will be selected to be displayed at the museum and to be read by the author (or selected substitute reader) at the reading.  The reading is free and open to the public.  Audiences have ranged from 15 to 45 people.  After the reading, with permission of the poet and artist, poems will be posted on the Art of Poetry website at http://www.artofpoetry.net

Eligible exhibits are as follows:

• We are the Music Makers (1st Fl. Shuford Gallery; April 30 – July 24)
• Memories of Appalachia: Paintings by Arlee Mains (1st Fl. Regal & Gifford Galleries; April 23 – July 24)
• On Common Ground: Pastel Paintings from the Mountains to the Sea (2nd Fl. Coe Gallery; May 21 – August 21)
• IMAGE*INATION: Catawba Valley Camera Club Juried Exhibition (1st Fl. Entrance Gallery; April 16 – July 17)
• Pastels from the Permanent Collection (2nd Fl. Windows Gallery; June 4 – August 28) This officially opens on June 4, but I will try to have it hanging earlier that week.
• Collecting Starkweather: Then & Now (1st Fl. Entrance Gallery; Through August 4)
• Discover Folk Art (3rd Fl. Ongoing)
• Glass & Pottery from the Permanent Collection (2nd Fl. Objects Gallery; Ongoing)

If you have any questions, please email Kelly DeMaegd at geneandkelly@charter.net

Art of Poetry – NEXT DATE –  June 18, 2016  2PM  at Hickory Museum of Art 

243 Third Ave. NE.   Hickory, NC  28601