Art as Comfort

NaPoMo

We are halfway through NaPoMo, or National Poetry Month, a time to celebrate how the world is turned by art, artists, and those willing to codify the beauty of the world—those whose genius is to take our pain and transmute it into a salve, a healing balm. Poets are alchemists of language. We know that the first writings were lists of products in a granary (how much barley remained, for example). Still, I am reasonably sure Enheduanna (poet/priestess) is considered the first 'author' in world history, thus making poetry of the oldest arts.

This week at my school, we celebrated Poem in Your Pocket Day. Both adults and students popped up in the audience and read a favorite poem. It was like a flash mob but without dancing. It was delightful. Throughout the day, the librarians and I gave out pocket poems to any student who asked. It was a great experience to see what art can do for the community. It was comforting.

I shared a poem by Hafiz from the book THE GIFT, translated by Daniel Ladinksy:

PEACE

We are at
The Nile's end

We are carrying particles
from every continent, creature, and age.

It has been raining on the plains
of our vision for millions of years

And our senses
Are so muddy compared to Yours-- dear God,

But I only heard these words from You
Where we are all trying to embrace
the Clear Sky-Ocean,

"Dear one, come.

Please,
My dear ones,
Come."

Let's let poetry comfort us all the time, even past April.

Museums, Eclipses, and Birthdays, Oh My!

On the subject of art, my family spent spring break enjoying the slower pace and spent the one beautiful day of our break at the Getty Center. The timing was perfect (the crowds were not!). I signed us up for the visit because there was a Botticelli on view, and Renaissance art is one type of art that consistently soothes me. There is something about the quality of the paint that soothes my eyes, and I feel like I am home when I view art from this period.

Has art ever made you feel like you have found home? I genuinely hope so. What I wish more than that, however, is that in this rising spring energy time (and for teachers, this means crazy time), I wish for you to know where to go to find your comfort. Go there as often as possible.

And where would we be without planetary wonders? I spent the eclipse thinking about our lives as beings with brains. I remembered an image I saw somewhere ten years ago that showed the brains of many creatures inhabiting Earth: vertebrates, invertebrates, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. I had an epiphany about our interconnectedness. The moon moves all of us. We follow the phases with indifference mostly, but when she eclipses the sun, most beings stop to process this event. To wonder. And maybe we can shake our old perceptions. Many beings indeed respond with fear since it is an infrequent event. I spend many moments wondering about things like this.

I hope you live in wonderment, too.

This life is hard. We should wonder about the origins of things and perhaps think about how the brain may appear in different places for different life forms. I am thinking of trees.

The shadow of tree leaves made my eclipse viewing better. I love this aspect of eclipses, which I only discovered in the 2017 eclipse. I was excited to relive looking through all the tree shadows. It was lovely. I had glasses, but viewing through the shadows was so much richer.

Later in the week, we celebrated one of my son's sweet sixteen! The ripening is real. The brain and body are working together to bring him closer to adulthood. I recognize that what determines an adult is dependent on cultural norms. However, in our times, he is turning towards the sun, and the bloom is happening. I am so grateful.

Educators: Tell Me Something Good

My call for submissions for the Zine anthology – Teacher alTRUisms is still open through June 1, 2024. Send in a short story, poem, or drawing to be considered for Zine inclusion!

Please spread the word with your educator friends and forward this newsletter if you feel inclined.

As you finish the month of April, intentionally slow your pace and wander through the busy spring days with curiosity in your heart. Free your mind from its habits. Tell me something good!

Until next month, be well!

😍 ~Bridget