Poetry & Art stopped by this week...

...and they have my head swirling, in a very good way. ;)

Poetry that touched my heart:

Musician Glen Hansard tragically died last week, and the air has been filled with his music. He started out as a busker on the streets of Dublin, so I was particularly touched by the video of other buskers and people on the street gathered and singing his Oscar-winning song, "Falling Slowly."

I first learned about Glen's work on a return flight home from a business trip to Hong Kong. The only movie available was his movie, "ONCE"... which I joked that I watched three times as the music was so good. Glen's lyrics and melodies are storytelling and poetry at their best.

Glen's wife, Finnish poet, Maire Saaritsa, read a poem she wrote after he died.

It breaks your heart.

Poetry at The Carle:

Poet and author Jane Yolen recently passed away. I blogged about attending her memorial service held at The Eric Carle Museum in Amherst , Mass this week.

 You can read the post here. It was a gathering of over 900 poets, musicians, authors, and people from all walks of her life and was one of he most lovely services I have ever been to— filled with laughter, storytelling, and so much love. Jane wrote over 450 books and untold number of poems. I used to love to have her "Poem a day" drop in my inbox every morning. Jane's reminder to put B.I.C. reminds me every day that poems require me to stop and let them out.

Poetry in Art:

I am part of Poetic Voices which will be shown at the True Grit Art Gallery in MIddleboro Mass in September. Though my poem submissions were not among the five poems chosen, I was chosen as a n artist and am using my collage to express what I see in the poem I was assigned. It is an interesting poetic challenge for me. Curious to see what this brings. Read more about the event here.

Poetry on FB:

This year, I started using my FB cover slot to share more of my poetry. Each month, I make a new cover and write a small poem. It's a fun way to give myself a monthly poetry challenge. Try it! Here August's poem and a couple others.

Poetry in progress:

I have at least 3 poetry collections in progress at various stages of completion. I find it nice to have different themes going at once, so I can see what tickles my muse each day and give it some of my attention. I have started subbing one and have another just about there. Waking early in the morning and writing is one of my most favorite things.

Poetry I stumbled upon:

I checked out several collections form the library and have been making my way through them. So inspiring. This little ditty was form JaneYolen, found in her collection "In and Out the Window<" By Jane Yolen and Illustrated by Cathrin Peterslund available here.

Poetry in Color:

I have been taking a little time off this summer form my Crayola Crayon color-inspired poetry. With over 30 poems so far this year, I am inspired by every color I see. They seem to jump out at me. I got a little reminder to get back to my project this week when an ad showed up. A Godwink perhaps? Too funny!!!

I hope in some way, poetry is swirling in your head this week and that your summer is continuing to inspire.

Happy Poetry Friday everyone! Please stop by our host Ruth, from Uganda. Her blog, "There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town"can be found here for more poetry and to get the links to much more .