Roma & Raemy:
We had our first break in between classes a few weekends ago. Our Disegno class is over and I am now immersed in an Ekphrastic Poetry class! I had ambitious plans to travel to London for the first break, but after that final drawing project, I was pretty wiped out. Instead some of us went on a day trip to Roma (no big deal, just Rome for a day trip...I LOVE IT HERE). The day was centered around being able to get gelato and pizza from our favorite places...you know you're in Italy if your plans are formed based on food!Then, my cousin Raemy and my Aunt & Uncle came to visit me in Orvieto! They are the reason I fell in love with Italy in the first place, and it was wonderful and somewhat surreal to be together again in this beautiful country. We went to Todi, another hill town nearby Orvieto, enjoyed yummy food, and sampled wine. Raemy and I enjoyed being roommates in adorable hotel for a couple nights. It was so fun to have a little vacation; yet strange to be staying in a hotel only 5 minutes from my apartment! Raemy, if you are reading this, I miss you already. Thanks again for bringing a little piece of home :)
Todi! |
My Aunt Maggie, Uncle Bruce, Raemy & Me |
Taken at one of my favorite parks near our Palazzo |
Wine & cheese sampling in our little hotel...in which Raemy educated us on wine making :) |
Poetry & Pasqua:
We are already two weeks away from finishing our Ekphrastic Poetry class. I don't want it to end! I went into the class feeling intimidated by the prospect of writing my own poetry. I love to read and analyze poems that other brilliant people have created, but write my own? AHH! Fortunately we have been guided by a wonderful professor, whose love for words and language has made poetry not only accessible but enjoyable. I often leave class in a daze, trying to process all that I have learned from her and from the poems we read. I've been calling this "profundity overload".
Oh, by the way, ekphrasic poetry means responding to art with poetry. So, we look at paintings together and either read poems that others have already written, or write our own based on what we notice or learn from the artwork. In order to practice writing, our professor will often give us exercises to try on our own for homework. Here is one poem I wrote for the assignment to start a poem with the words: "When I enter"
See Again
When I enter
Into Your presence
the world falls away.
Before, I rambled;
My mind spoke of things
I thought were bliss.
She paused these gushings
and drew my attention to
the flower, or rather its Maker.
O fickle heart, why can't you listen?
See with your eyes again.
Look, with eyes distilled to see the One
who is calling, chasing, dancing
upon your heart.
You ignored it; you filled yourself
with things that made you happy,
but none satisfied.
Look now and see
See like Job, whose ears had only heard;
See like David, his senses attune to True Beauty;
See like you saw before;
the kisses of the butterfly.
Listen as He calls, "My child."
Heart stilled, you will respond:
"My LORD."
I love your outlook on life. Its so positive and encouraging! Im so glad Raemy and family were able to visit. Miss you!
ReplyDelete