A Gallery of Poems - Legion of Honor › files › education › 01... · A Gallery of Poems An Anthology of Poems from Poets in the Galleries A program of the Education Department

An Anthologyof Poems

by Students

A Galleryof Poems

Poetsin the

Galleries

A Gallery of Poems

An Anthology of Poems fromPoets in the Galleries

A program of theEducation Department

at theFine Arts Museums

of San Francisco

Edited bydevorah major

Fall 2001–Spring 2002

Copyright © 2003

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

All rights reserved

Cover photograph: Paris Opera, 1924, Oskar Kokoschka.Bequest of Mrs. Ruth Haas Lilienthal.

The Poets in the Galleries program and this publicationwere made possible by The Mary Harrison Fund.

Additional funding was provided by the California Arts Council.

For more information about Poets in the Galleriesat the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco contact:

Jeannine L. Jeffries, Assistant Director of EducationCalifornia Palace of the Legion of HonorLincoln Park, 100 – 34th AvenueSan Francisco, CA 94121-1693415 / 750-3640e-mail: [email protected]://www.thinker.org

Harry S. Parker III, Director

Book design: Elaine Joe

Printing: Coast Litho

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

4 Introduction

6 About the Program

7 Special Thanks

California Palace of the Legion of Honor

9 Decorative Arts of Europe

31 European Paintings

67 Art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

71 Special Exhibition: Masterworks ofNew Guinea Art: Selections from theMarcia and John Friede Collection

80 About the Poet

I N T R O D U C T I O N ■ 4

I N T R O D U C T I O N

W E L C O M E T O T H E California Palace ofthe Legion of Honor’s Gallery of Poems. Iencourage you to go through it as you wouldtour through the museum. Just as in anygallery some pieces will make you stop andlinger for a long time, others will encourageyou to stay and ponder how you feel aboutthe piece, and you will inevitably pass byothers only to return on a future visit, won-dering how you had missed that particularwork the first time around.

Over twenty five-hundred poems werecreated by the participants in the Poets in theGalleries program in the fall of 2001 and thespring of 2002. The hundred or so poems inthis volume are certainly the best of the best.However, I could have created an anthologythree times as large and had the same highquality of poetics and perception. Sadly, Iwas again forced to leave out more excellentpoems than I could include. As I was selectingthe poems, returning again and again to thisfolder or that poem, I found myself consis-tently amazed and re-amazed at the depththese students could show in only two ses-sions at the museum. With one or two grouppoems under their belts, and perhaps one

5 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S

practice poem hastily scribbled on their pads,I let the students tour the galleries and findone piece of art that called to them. I encour-aged them to use visual art devices that werealso poetic devices: perspective, texture,form, and imagery to form a relationshipbetween themselves and the art. As you willsee, some became the art, some became thepainter, some climbed inside the painting orsculpture, and some wrote as omniscientviewer. Some embraced the challenge of formand content, and like the visual art theyengaged, created a balance between the two.

In my seven years of working with theFine Arts Museums, one of my recurringpleasures is to have a young person’s poemmake me look more closely at a painting thatI had repeatedly passed by or one that hadgrown too familiar. When 8th-grader MaxSnelling writes, “His lips needing nothingmore than to be kissed,” I found myself seek-ing out the painting of Paul Mounet to seethe vulnerability that Max saw in the por-trait. When 4th-grader, Nate Gilchrist “tastesthe crispness of the wind” I am encouragedto go back to the Cabin on a Hill and seewhat flavors I might savor. When Rita Tam,

a 5th-grader, becomes the painting and asksJan-Frans van Dael to “Paint me silk petalsof life and beauty,” I am invited to look at afavorite painting from a new perspective. Ihad to listen to the Guarnerius violin as 11th-grader Lorena Leite did before she imaginedthe relationship the violin had with its playerand penned, “Her maple complexion shines,glows and loves him,” carefully sculpting thegraceful shape of the violin in her poem’sform and content. Although I have over theseyears spent an aggregate of days standing infront of most of these paintings, sculptures,and artifacts, although I may have had hun-dreds of young people compose a grouppoem about a particular sunset or describethe beauty of a specific gallery without usingthe word beauty, when I read a particularlyvibrant poem, I must again seek out thepoem’s object of inspiration which has beenmade fresh by the images the student evokes.I invite you to experience the galleries throughyoung people’s eyes, to see what they foundcompelling, important, amusing, humbling,and majestic in this Gallery of Poems.

devorah majorPoet and Editor

A B O U T T H E P R O G R A M ■ 6

F E W P R O G R A M S offered in museumsrelate the language arts to the visual arts.However, through a poetry program, stu-dents can enhance their verbal and writtenskills while learning about and viewing actualobjects. Students learn to communicate aboutvisual art through the literary art form ofpoetry, and in so doing they create their ownpersonal interpretation of the subjects of theirpoems.

To this end, the Fine Arts Museumshave presented since 1987 the Poets in theGalleries program to students in the fourththrough twelfth grades. Each poetry sessionis one-and-a-half hours long and each classvisits the museum twice. The specific goals ofthe program are to introduce students to thevisual arts in the museum through an inter-disciplinary approach that includes looking,observing, learning about art objects andpoetic styles, and listening to and readingpoems. The program also gives students theopportunity to meet and work with an actualpoet, devorah major. She selects the area orareas of the museum to be used during the

poetry sessions, but the students choose theobjects that will be the subjects of their poems.They are given ample time to look, think,and reflect while writing their poems and atthe end of the poetry session are encouragedto read their poems aloud to the class.

During the academic year 2001-2002,students learned about the works of art fromthe permanent collection of European paint-ings and decorative arts at the Legion ofHonor; viewed highlights from the perma-nent collection of art from Africa, Oceania,and the Americas; and toured the specialexhibition entitled Masterworks of NewGuinea Art: Selections from the Marcia andJohn Friede Collection.

With this edition we are resuming theprinting of the annual poetry anthology. Theanthology may have been gone for a fewyears but it was never forgotten. Illustratedwith photographs of the works of art in theMuseums, the poetry anthology highlights thecreative spirit and enthusiasm of these BayArea young people.

Jeannine L. JeffriesAssistant Director of Education

August 2002

A B O U T T H E P R O G R A M


I M U S T O F F E R thanks to many peoplefor the success of this volume. I know that inthese days it is popular to find short-comingsand deficiencies in our schools or teachers,our children, our community organizations.Perhaps I simply see the cream of the cream,or perhaps there is indeed more hope thanmany would believe. I thank the committedteachers who brought their polite and pre-pared classes to the museum, as well as theparents and teacher aides who helped withdiscipline and spelling, and helped to ensurepositive and productive student participation.I also thank the docents, who continue togive me ideas on new ways to present apainting or an art era; the volunteers, whohelped young people and their chaperones toenjoy the museum more fully; the curatorsand curatorial assistants, who gave me

insights into particular pieces, especially inthe New Guinea collection; and those guards,who in gentle and considerate ways helpedthe students to be responsible visitors to theLegion of Honor. I want to give my sincerethanks to the Museums’ education depart-ment, especially Jeannine Jeffries, AssistantDirector of Education, who is constantlyhelping me smooth out rough spots and findsolutions to various problems. I am alsograteful to the book’s graphic designer, whoworked through the challenge of the students’concrete poems with aplomb and skill.Finally, my largest thanks go to the students,who opened themselves up to the art and tothemselves and wrote with passion, intelli-gence, humor, and sensitivity. Thank you oneand all!

d.m.

P A R T I C I P A T I N G T E A C H E R S A N D S C H O O L S

Alamo Elementary, San Francisco: Margaret AmesBolinas-Stinson Elementary, Bolinas: Andrea ParkerBrandeis-Hillel Day School, San Rafael: Maria SewardCabrillo Elementary, San Francisco: Kathy KozuchClarendon Elementary, San Francisco: Renee Theriault, Rusty PendreyCrystal Springs Upland, Hillsborough: Elizabeth MillerEl Granada Elementary, Half Moon Bay: Susan F. HatfieldEnola D. Maxwell Middle School of the Arts, San Francisco: Robin Brasso

S P E C I A L T H A N K S

S P E C I A L T H A N K S ■ 8

Foster City Elementary, Foster City: Julie SittonGuadalupe Elementary, San Francisco: Ben EisemanHavens Elementary, Piedmont: Joan Twohy, Gretchen SchnitzerH. J. Kaiser Elementary, Oakland: Jill F. ReeseKittredge School, San Francisco: Emily K. EvisonJefferson Elementary, San Francisco: Loret Peterson, Carolyn Ann WeissLeadership High School, San Francisco: Laura Putnam, Eve GordonLeonard R. Flynn Elementary, San Francisco: Maria J. BlancoMarin Home Educational Cooperative, Mill Valley: Carol B. CannMarin School, Albany: Casey Hoosier, Christine JulianMeadows Elementary, Millbrae: Kathleen LynchMuseum Ambassador Program, Fine Arts Museums of San FranciscoNapa Adventist Junior Academy, Napa: Janet WrightOcean Shore School, Pacifica: Patricia McNallyOhlone Elementary, Palo Alto: Marry Bussmann, June FujiOld Mill Elementary, Mill Valley: Erin Lyons, Linda TanguayPark Elementary, Mill Valley: Danielle Ross, Rod SeptkaPresidio Hill, San Francisco: Lisa JeliR. L. Stevenson Elementary, San Francisco: Libbie SchockRooftop Elementary, San Francisco: Ann Henry, Richard MattsonSt. Brendan Elementary, San Francisco: Sister Christine OstrowskiSt. Isabella Elementary, San Rafael: Kathleen AdamsSt. John’s Elementary, San Francisco: Joan F. AndresSt. Stephen’s Elementary, San Francisco: Barbara Conti, Gina ZarichSt. Thomas More, San Francisco: Evelyn Trauner, Zodine SpiegelSonora Elementary, Sonora: Kelli Noteman, Susan WalterStuart Hall for Boys, San Francisco: Dennis EstradaTown School for Boys, San Francisco: Pam AbendrothVallemar School, Pacifica: Retta L. GuelWilliam deAvila Elementary, San Francisco: Donna LeeWindrush Elementary, El Cerrito: Nicola Berlinsky


DecorativeArtsofEurope

D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 1 0

The Kiss, ca.

1886, Auguste

Rodin. Gift of

Alma de

Bretteville

Spreckels.

loving one another. The kiss is like holding one another in case of fear and hate.

Love one another. The shape of a man and woman mak-

ing love peace, so their parents won’t fight

over their love.

Aofia Kiliona7th grade,

Enola D. MaxwellMiddle School

i s l ikeThe kiss

1 1 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S

Auguste Rodin,

ca. 1900, Camille

Claudel. Gift of

Alma de

Bretteville

Spreckels.

Thedark gloomy

face appearing from a shadow. The melody in his eyes brings darkness to

his soul. The bottom of his faceunrolling in the night. His back curled up in

a ball. He sees the world different from the way we do. He does not feel the emotions that we do.

He is trapped all alone.

Yana Shekhter5th grade, Jefferson Elementary


Equestrian

Statue of

Charles III, ca.

1762, Attributed

to Tommaso

Solari. Mildred

Anna Williams

Collection.

You are riding brave and mightyHead raised, shoulders highBrave, powerful, moving forwardCloak flowingHorse as strong, tail flyingHolding your scepter Riding forward

Toby Hollis5th grade, Havens Elementary

Facetortured by the

future, lips tremblingwith fear. Eyes filled with

tears, hands closed, trying to hold it back. Forehead worried

and face dirtied.

Pablo Vasquez11th grade, Leadership High School


Head of Pierre

de Wiessant,

from The

Burghers of

Calais, 1885-1886,

Auguste Rodin.

Gift of Adolph B.

Spreckels, Jr.

Dreading tomorrow and forgiving today

.


As someone plays me a wonderful soundcomes from my heartA sweet sound, a soft soundI provide all those soundsFor happy people, sad peoplewho are in need of a cheerful tuneI am a violin, a violin

Amy Williams4th grade, Presidio Hill

Violin, ca. 1740, Italy, Giuseppe Antonio Guarneri (del Gesù). Bequest of Jascha Heifetz.


Thechillingwind

encircleshim,

frozenby thewarmimageof his

belovedviolin.She

poseslike a

goddess.Her lovely

face surroundedby mahogany tendrils,

but shaded. The gas lampshines on the curves of

her hips and accentuatesthe slope of her

waist. Her maplecomplexion

shines, glows andloves him. He wantsto touch her, feel her,

caress her with his hands,his lips, his voice, for she

is his soul, his reasonfor being. The wind wrapsback around him and steals

him away for she is thesiren he can never

possess.

Lorena Leite11th grade, Leadership High School


The Spanish Ceiling,

15th century, Spain.

Gift of Mrs. Richard

Ely Danielson and

Mrs. Chauncey

McCormick.

T H E S P A N I S H C E I L I N G

The glistening moving colorof gold -en rodappears brilliantautumn leavescome to lifepeaceful, gracefulwings in the sun glitter

Eric Tran5th grade, Havens Elementary

Scott Ford4th grade, Marin School

T H E G O L D E N C E I L I N G

The florescent golden color glimmersin the light. The golden color fills the room

.

The golden middle seeps through

the

room

like

mag

ic a

nd lo

oks

right

into

you

r ey

es.


Louis XV Period

Room, 1735-1740,

France. Roscoe

and Margaret

Oakes Collection.

The room gleamingwith dim light.

But even that is enoughto see in your heart.

secret and heart burning room.You can see the smeared figuresmoving to the peaceful sounds

of joy. The deer, the boar,

The peace, the war allcombined in a single little

room. The chandelier is givingstreams of light like a river.

Dividing into peaceful streams, and everything.The sights, the music and the souls trapped in one

beautiful mysterious room.

Jane Shtalenkova4th grade, St. Thomas More

in the

balls set up

The great

and light.

of music

and the colors


Eve, ca. 1881,

Auguste

Rodin. Gift of

Alma de

Bretteville

Spreckels.


S T A N D I N G H E R E

I amstanding

here, nakednothing to

shieldme,

nothing to hide me, nothing

to protect me.I am standing

here nakedfeeling alone

and useless.There is no-thing to doto see. Why

are you therejust looking

at me? Whatdo you wantto say? I know you want

to criticizeand judge.

But lookat you just

standing therelooking at mestanding here.

Karloina Pestryal11th grade, Leadership High School

E V E

My arms held tightly togetherNever to part, never to openIn fragile balanceI stand angelically, but trembling.

Shatter...

I am scaredFor what, I don’t knowWho knows the mysteryof my sorrow, pain, grief...frightFor who I don’t know.

Shatter...

By my hand, I push the darkness aside,trying my best to pull the light withinMy eyes drowned in tears of sadnessfilled with confusion and fright.

Shatter...

My worries have taken over meMy thoughts have begun to confuse meOne wrong move and I shall fallI fall...I shatter...

Ashley Amruil8th grade, St. Thomas More


T H E N E C K L A C E

Glistening like the

stars reflectedoff the

water each jewel telling its ownstory like

red and pale tears

waiting toleap off

its owner’sneck

Alexander Ting6th grade, Crystal Springs Upland

Inspired by

Necklace and Pendant,

19th century, Tyrol,

Austria. Gift of Miss

Sarah M. Spooner.

Inspired by

Dalmatic, 1565, Spain. Gift of

Mrs. Herbert Fleishhacker.

I W I S H T O W E A R Y O U

You are a sparkling red robe.I want to put you on. The face

on you looks likehe is thinking, writ-ing. I wonder if he islonely missing friends

or family. Sparkling goldtrim. Your shape is like across. I wish to wear you.

Coulter Kunzel4th grade, Town School for Boys

R E D R O B E

Thick rich folds of ruby red velvetsurround the borders of golden

tapestry. Shimmeringflowers blossom in

the bright sun light.Blue-gold dragonsangrily clutch into

twisting vines.

Lauren Higley4th grade, Marin School


The Mighty

Hand, by 1906,

Auguste Rodin.

Gift of Alma de

Bretteville

Spreckels.

Reaching up to the skyMuscles bulgingFingers groping

Searching for somethingNot knowing what it is

A shiny mass of black so strongGreat and powerful hand

Clark Steward5th grade, H. J. Kaiser Elementary


Victor Hugo,

ca. 1917,

Auguste Rodin.

Anonymous gift.

V IC T O RH U G O

A gentle face looks down upon me.

So gentle, so innocent, I can feel his eyes connecting

with mine. He guides me, he showsme the way. How can he stand in such a rocky rough place with a heart so smooth and so pure.

I look at his sorrow and sad eyes and wonder was he here, where I’m standing. When I wonder I think he will always be

my wise one.

Julia Anaya5th grade, Clarendon Elementary

A man in the mountainLike a colored pearlSo mysteriousSo powerfulYet weak and sadOld man do not cry In the mountainYou live so highGone

Stephen Wallace5th grade,Ohlone Elementary


Pair of Ewers,

ca. 1700,

China/France.

Gift of Archer

M. Huntington.

The sea bound creaturesappall me with their putrid

blue skin.The violet and

gold disgusts me.The brilliant swirls and

spirals of porcelain.Where’s the line

between brillianceand disgust?

This is a questionthey can’t answer.

Only the artist and the viewercan say.

They just sit there like a statue of their own brilliant disgust.

Miles Tune7th grade, Bolinas-Stinson Elementary


Chandelier, ca.

1750, France.

Roscoe and

Margaret Oakes

Collection.

C H A N D E L I E R

Icycold frozen

tears suspendedin time...Glistening, shimmering jewels

dancing in the warm glow of the

night

Adam Boggeri4th grade,

St. Isabella Elementary


Itshines

like the sun.Big shiny crystal

shine everywhere. Crys-tals are shaped like big pret-ty flowers. Teardrops shaped like rain drops. Crystal bowlsshaped to hold a candle. Can-

dles are in bowl so shiny it is too bright to look at.Oh how I wish I was

as pretty as thatcrystal.

Christine Duenas5th grade, St. John’s Elementary

Little rainbows

captive in aglass prison like

baby birds anxious tosing. Glistening like pearly

water before a lone pebble is cast.Diamond teardrops silently running

down the face of every human being.A world with star rivers, ice andrainbows. Sugar candy to the

mind of a hungry child.Sunrise, sunset. Proud

stately. Time isFrozenFrozenFrozen

Frozen

Natalie Johnson5th grade, Old Mill Elementary


Pair of Candelabra,

1811, Paul Storr.

Museum purchase,

Roscoe and

Margaret Oakes

Income Fund.

S I L V E R

See me glimmerPolished

Silver rolling my three intricate arms. By night I cradleholding tight four candlesburning bright.

By day I stand proud and tallpatterns

ofleaves andglamorous

rosesadorn

my body, for I am a candelabra.

Sarah Emory5th Grade, Old Mill Elementary


Snuff Box, 1755-1756, Jean George. Gift of Archer M. Huntington.

Morgan Thompson5th grade, Park Elementary

I imagine forest green pillows hidden inside

Sweet honey calm swirls

Brass gold waves floatingSweet melodies

I am falling

Dancing, open, free,

MY BOX


Pricket,

early 16th

century,

Italy. Gift of

Samuel H.

Kress

Foundation.

Michael Botello4th grade, Marin School

heavyshape

tomake the

Lifting

staythere

platforms

suffocatingsuffering

to lift each other.Sadly they have to

struggling

areYet they

into a pyramid

P R I C K E T


ToweringTurningStrength

and beautyMuscles lifting

Lynn Bagley7th grade,

Bolinas StinsonElementary

Look closelyTo see my many parts

Each figurehas a story

Each crack has meaningof its own

One under the otherWe hold each other up

Men struggleto keep their comrades safe

But the structureholds itself

Hannah Jones8th grade,

St. Brendan Elementary

T H E T O W E R

The Tower

of mankindReaching for

what has notbeen discovered

Uncovering some-thing everyday Reaching

above all darkness andsearching for the light that

will please the soul that

Eric Andrews5th grade,

Old Mill Elementary

fears to go away

wants darkness and

And the black legs of strength and beauty

Ebony shining through the light

Hearts are beating


F R O M T H E H E A R T

Sculpt me with powerSculpt me as oneSculpt me with passionSculpt me without colors, just mindSculpt me as myself, no otherSculpt me with diversionSculpt me, myself from the heart

Jonathan Kopf6th grade, Sonora Elementary

The Orator, 1933 or

1934, Pablo

Picasso. Museum

purchase, Roscoe

and Margaret

Oakes Income Fund

and Trust Fund.


EuropeanPaintings

E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 3 2

Her gleeful smileenchants my thoughtsHer tawny hairflows gently to her waistShe is beautifulI want to meet herHer rosy cheeksbring out her lipsShe looks like she’s dancingThis beautiful girl

Madison Killen5th grade, El GranadaElementary

Hyacinthe Gabrielle

Roland, later Marchioness

Wellesley, 1791, Elizabeth

Louise Vigée Le Brun.

Mildred Anna Williams

Collection and Bequest

funds of Henry S. Williams.

Who is she I wonderHow beautiful she iswith curly brown hairdown her lovely skinI love her dress very muchIt’s made with lovely red silkShe looks so happy with ruby red cheeksI feel like I am in there with herWho is she I wonder

Winifred Dow5th grade, Foster City Elementary


His formal wearcigar in handHe has no worriesrelaxed yet tough His brown hair flows freelyHis lips needing nothing more than to be kissed

Max Snelling8th grade, St. Thomas More

Paul Mounet (?), ca. 1875,

Louis-Maurice Boutet de

Monvel. Museum purchase,

Art Trust Fund and Mr. and

Mrs. Vernon J. McKale Fund.


Still Life with Violin,

Sheet Music, and a

Rose, 1870, François

Bonvin. Museum

purchase, Grover A.

Magnin Bequest Fund.


The mahogany violin rests quietly in hopes it will be used againAging fire rose drops its petalsStrings still warm and vibrantSadness sweeps over it all in the endI reach out so that I may bring it back to life

Scott Wardell8th grade, St. Stephen’s Elementary

T H E L O N E L Y , S I L E N T V I O L I N

I am a silent violinI am a lonely violinI have music to playexcept no one would hear me I’m a silent violinThere’s a rose beside to make me feel betterbut it makes me feel worse becauseI’m a lonely silent violin

Brett Fornells5th grade, Meadows Elementary

Inspired by

Snow Effect, Damvillers,

ca. 1882, Jules Bastien-Lepage.

Museum purchase, Grover A.


D A R K D O O M

Paint me with the darkon my hills

Paint me with the weedsblowing in the wind

Paint me with the angry windin my sky

Paint me with the darknessin my clouds

Paint me with the firein my horizon

Paint me with the angerthat I show

Kelly Hallisy5th grade,St. Stephen’s Elementary


The dog he is determineddeterminedto get the partridge.The partridge is determineddeterminedto flyawaydeterminedto live.

Kistian Mondahl5th grade, El Granada Elementary

Pointer and

Partridge in a

Landscape, ca.

1740, Jean-Baptiste

Oudry. Gift of

Phebe Cowles.


A N E W W O R L D

Look out on to the shining of the rocks,the trees, the birds, life so free, so real.Look at this world that is known to you and to mea child’s dreamland.Look now at the boulders, high and low.Look through the eyes of me.

Alex Pezzola5th grade, St. Stephen’s Elementary

A View on

Hampstead Heath

with Harrow in the

Distance, n.d., John

Constable. Bequest of

Whitney Warren, Jr.


Strong winds blowingThe hot red sun on my backI sit in silence on a cliffWanting to leave, not knowing howI can see the cool blue waterIn the distance

Rachael Klein8th grade, St. Stephen’s Elementary

Masada (or Sebbeh)

on the Dead Sea, 1858,

Edward Lear. Museum

purchase, Grover A.



Calm the sea, the endless sea.As I watch over the cool blue water.I wait. Fog bounds in. I try to see but I can’t.I feel the grass under my scraped feet.I feel the cool breeze. I hear the waves crash.I see nothing. I taste the salty air.I free myself of the fog.I start to walk then stop.The fog takes hold of me.I’m frozen from theicy finger tips.

Mott Schweitzer5th grade, Park Elementary

The Coast of

Aegina, 1867,

Frederic, Lord

Leighton.

Museum

purchase, Grover

A. Magnin

Bequest Fund.


V I O L A D E G A M B A

Sitting here with only my violawaiting and waiting for nothinglooking up at the sky and thinkingthinking about music and dancingthinking about me and deaththinking about life

Emily Barmore5th grade, Rooftop Elementary

Woman Playing

the Viola de

Gamba, 1663,

Gabriel Metsu.

Roscoe and

Margaret Oakes

Collection.


Serious The interrupted man is unwelcomingHe looks away from meAnd sits in his soft, fluffy chairThen smiles at meA small sweet smile.

Reuben Bosch4th grade, Napa Adventist Junior Academy

Portrait of a Gentleman, ca. 1779-1782,

Joseph-Siffred Duplessis. Mildred Anna

Williams Collection.

Inspired by

The Wave, 1860, Gustave Courbet.

Lent by Mrs. Prentiss Cobb Hale.

I see cool misty wavesI feel the cold wind running against my faceI see the red and whitevanilla sky through my eyesThe sun is covered with lots of cloudsThe waves begin to get angryas the wind blows hard and harder

Shacaree Sears4th grade, Leonard R. Flynn Elementary


Birds flying away to safetyFar away from the crashing wavesThe sky darkening as the storm rolls alongSail boats fighting to pull into shoreThe wind is howling a long, long howl.

Josie Marks-McQuade4th grade, Windrush Elementary

The Thunderstorm,

1641, Jon van Goyen.

Museum purchase.


In the awkwardness of silenceAnimals lay stillA dog looks at the dead animalsA gruesome and awful sight

Jaysen Parmar5th grade, Foster City Elementary

Still Life with

Peacock, Rabbit

and Spaniel, ca.

1660-1669, Melchior

d’Hontecoeter.

Museum purchase,

William H. Noble

Bequest Fund.


The wind slices through the open windowsSending a chill throughout the dark lonely cabinDark clouds signal a storm is comingI feel sad. I taste the crispness of the windThe purple blue skies swirl in a blur of colorI hear leaves crunching under my feetI wish I could go home.

Nate Gilchrist4th grade, Town School for Boys

Cabin on a Hill,

n.d., Jacob van

Ruisdael. Jacob

Stern Permanent

Loan Collection.


Calm sunset over white foaming wavesSmooth pink, bright sun reflecting overblue, foaming waves crashing againsthard, rough rocks with dove perching

Shiloh Albrechts4th grade, Sonora Elementary

The Assuaging

of the Waters,

1840, John

Martin. Museum

purchase,

Whitney Warren,

Jr. Fund.

D E E P B L U E S

Swishing water against the hard rockCrashing, exploding with great forceBig waves like the sunset The light reflection off the watermakes it look like another world

Dylan Crist4th grade, Ocean Shore School

Waves crashing upon the rocksA dove looks for things to doA crow hunts for food Calm skiesWhispering pink clouds

Shawn Camarao5th grade, Jefferson Elementary


Let the light shine on meLet the clouds capture sunlight to make me radiantLet the light make the water shimmer with joyLet a light rain come to make my hills greenLet me be beautiful again.

Alex Higueras8th grade, St. Brendan Elementary

River View of Nijmegen

with the Valkhof, 1648,

Salomon van Ruysdael.

Gift of the Samuel H.

Kress Foundation.


The beautiful sight makes me want to never leaveI can not take me eyes off the beauty I can not blinkI can not move I can see a full street of houses, a harbor, a churchAll are beautifulIf I take my eye off the sightI’ll be sad forever and ever

Alex Lee4th grade, Stuart Hall for Boys

The Singel,

Amsterdam,

1697, Gerrit

Berckheyde.

Mildred Anna

Williams

Collection.


The silver shiny vase blinds me with its beauty. The smell of the pink roses is delightful. The orange butterflies are calling for me. The blue ribbon is silky smooth as it touches my hand. The purple flowers are gentle with grace.

Karianne Lew5th grade, Cabrillo Elementary

Flowers in a

Silver Vase, n.d.,

Willem van Aelst.

Gift of Dr. and

Mrs. Hermann

Schuelein.

I feel jolly.Hot pink roses drop onto

the floor.A golden sunflower shines

in the darkroom.A butterfly seems to find a

way into the room.It starts sipping nectar.I see myself touching the

soft silky petals.

Joanna Bustamante4th grade, GuadalupeElementary


You must feel the love of adaughter

The pull on your heart whenshe walks in a room

A feel of hopelessness whenshe is sad

Admiration and awe of herYou must feel the hate of a

daughterThe pain in your soulThe heat in your cheeksThen you can truly paint our

relationship

Kaija Cummings7th grade, Kittredge School

La Comtesse de Morel-Vindé

and Her Daughter, 1799,

Baron François-Pascal-Simon

Gérard. Museum purchase,

Mildred Anna Williams

Collection and William H. Noble

Bequest Fund.


sun peeping through the treesdark green all overwind whistling through the treesI wish I could help a thousandtrees grow higher, higher.

Casey Sully4th grade, Windrush Elementary

Forest of Fontainebleau,

1867, Virgile Narcisse Diaz

de la Peña. Gift of David

and Jeanne Carlson.


The sun glimmers through the treesThe wind blows softly as I

slowly walk through the forestAs I step forward I hear the colorful leaves

crunching under my feetThe leaves blow off the treesI stop walking. It is silent.

Kaia Morrow4th grade, Marin School

All around me are colorsAll different in a wayIt is so quiet I think I will stay foreverI like to hear the pitter patter of the deer’s hoovesand the feelingof a dewy morning

Alex Rogers4th grade, Clarendon Elementary

To paint the dark forestyou need trees that never end and leaves of apple-red and ever darkening orange. The branches must be gnarledand the sunlight must be barely seen.It’s always sad and gloomy.

Max Jacobs5th grade, Rooftop Elementary


SadGreat midnight blackWhat a smooth brownI feel the sadness of the horsesI can see sadnessNice marine skyI wish I could help themI need joy for themNo animal wants to go to warStamping into war

Sebastain O. Lewis4th grade, William deAvila Elementary

At the Fountain,

n.d., Adolph

Schreyer. Jacob

Stern Family

Loan Collection.


T H E S I L E N T C O T T A G E

Brightness shines through the airWatermelon trees sway through the wind The silver breeze cottage is silent and stillThe wind howls to me as if it were a wolf The sky sings to me The Shelter on Montmarte is silent and still

Amy Lee5th grade, Meadows Elementary

Shelter on Montmartre,

ca. 1886, Vincent van

Gogh. Bequest of

Frederick J. Hellman.


Glittering snow, sparkling plainsThe cool flowing air doesn’t hear meSad trees, dancing windSky full of feathersA blanket has covered everything

Dario Sotskova5th grade, Foster City Elementary

Snow Scene at

Eragny, ca. 1884,

Camille Pissarro.

Gift of Renée M.

Bransten.


HappyThe blue ripples gentlyThere is utter calm except for the scratch of my penI want to toss pebbles across the poolThe lilies invite me inI accept, I accept.

Meghna Dholakia5th grade, Ohlone Elementary

Water Lillies, ca.

1914-1917, Claude

Monet. Mildred Anna



Flowers before a Window, 1789, Jan-Frans van Dael. Mildred Anna Williams Collection.


Paint me the table of shine from the windowPaint me silk petals oflife and beautyPaint me the beauty ofthe outside of an open windowPaint me where you see me looking my best Paint me the light breezeblowing gently on my colorsPaint me the bright colorsthat match the sunseton a garden which rained from a rainbow

Rita Tam5th grade, R. L. Stevenson Elementary

Breeze peeking through a windowRainbow of flowers bending, stretching, standing tall, explodingSweet fragrance in the airLadybug resting, thinking...At the end, a treasure of four eggsnestled in a nest

Carlo Parra4th grade, Vallemar School

I see the nature and life of everything around me.I hear the calm whisper of the river beside me.I have the urge to touch the soft velvet petals

of the bright flowers.I can taste the cool wind coming from

the high mountains.I love the flowers before my window.

Yvonne Lirette5th grade, St. Isabella Elementary

Forest Interior, ca.

1898-1899, Paul

Cézanne. Mildred Anna




I am the tree you see and paint. The forest of minty pine. The howling wind that flows into a deep sleep.The swaying branches of shade. The jagged rocks of fear.I am the forest of beauty.

Emma Cornwell5th grade, Rooftop Elementary

To paint this picture you must feel the breezeblowing against the trees

To paint this picture you must see the misty blueliving in the sky

To paint this picture you must see the tree branchesbend against the wind

To paint this picture you must look how the grassin the ground moves like waves.

Kevin Fan5th grade, R. L. Stevenson Elementary

Rocky terrainTall strong graceful trees spring out of hard packed dark orange earthSmooth colorful rocks invite me to restI lie in the dark sunlight and feel protectedI reach out and touch the treeThe bark is smooth and warmI hear birds singing in the distanceBut where I am it is quiet

Josselyn Butler8th grade, Marin Home Educational Cooperative


Grand Canal,

Venice, 1908,

Claude Monet. Gift

of Osgood Hooker.


H O W T O D R A W A T E M P L E

First you glide through the calm rainbow of the still waters and before you isa palace of wonders. As you go by the purple gleams at you. The cool colored flag pole guides you to a sanctuary of romance. The sky is happy and bright emerald and sapphireand it’s like heaven so your spirit is freeas you glide through the water of the rainbow.

Cole Kromer5th grade, Jefferson Elementary

I appreciate your vaguenessYour flowing shy blue green glowYour sad sky blueYour humble violetYour soft playful pinkI paddle slowly through your

ever changing reflective watersAnd frolic quickly through your

ever winding hallsI slowly scale your cream, smooth dome

and accept your ever growing brilliance

Gabriel Grossman5th grade, Old Mill Elementary


I see a mangled knight in shining armorSharp spikes and twisted metalappear to have no shapeThe sky, off whitehas no beginning and no endTraces of red show some form of life.

Miguel Herrera5th grade, St. John’s Elementary

From One Night

to Another, 1947,

Yves Tanguy.

Mildred Anna


A cold sheet of steela deep sleepfiery coldnessa piercing stingdarknesscold foga plain state of feara never ending evileverlasting feartrapped in a deep slumberof nightmaresa cold deep ocean of steel

Andrew Miller4th grade, Ohlone Elementary


MayhemSwirling rainbowsReality is chiming her wordsAs I touch the cold skull death frowns upon meDark magic

Julianne Grauel6th grade, Crystal Springs Upland

Still life with Skull,

Leeks and Pitcher,

1945, Pablo Picasso.

Museum purchase,

Whitney Warren Jr.

Fund, in memory of

Mrs. Adolph B.

Spreckels, Grover A

Magnin Bequest

Fund, Roscoe and

Margaret Oakes

Income Fund, and

Bequest of Mr. and

Mrs. Frederick J.

Hellman by

exchange.

I hear its voice ringing in my earsI feel inside the picturein a world of inky black darknessI hear it wail. My heart poundsIt screams, I yellSorrow pounds through my veinsIt speaks to me with brilliance, with beautyI smell the fresh scent of bloodslowly oozing from itIt feels pained and filled with woeI feel death run through its heartAll hope goneI hear its voice

Keith Berquist4th grade, Stuart Hall for Boys


Conjunction boiling through out the streetsThe sound of horns beeping repeatedlyThe voice of a great opera starhowling in the cold nights breezeBuildings shooting up out of the groundjust like the rising of the sun upon the horizonThe gleaming glow of the midnight glaring downon the sidewalk and the endless chirping of crickets through out the night

Andrew Steier5th grade, Brandeis-Hillel Day

Paris Opera, 1924, Oskar Kokoschka. Bequest of Mrs. Ruth Haas Lilienthal.

RushedBlurred

like looking at the worldwith teary eyes

Deep graysand purple tints of the sky

Call for a storm

Katie Brigham5th grade, Park Elementary


Who is this woman?Who dares to place her foot in my sacred watersShe is lustful in her sensuous beautyShe ponders her illustrious figurePoised upon the scent of my bodyShe is part of the oceanShe is part of the seaThe blue depths of my scenerylulls her closer into my graspShe is thinking about what is beneath my dark blue cover

Jonathan Myers11th grade, Museum Ambassador Program

Dorothy

Spreckels

Munn, 1942,

Salvador Dali.

Gift of Mrs.

Charles A.

Munn.

What does the cloud covered angel stare at?Does she not know a world of fantasy lies behind?Can the sky’s magnificent color shine a light towards the magic that is beyond what she stares at?

Has the shine of the water you lay inguided you to a new place?Does the ocean blue’s calmness relax you?

What does the cloud covered angel stare at?Could it be love or the lover she sought?

Jamal Fahim8th grade, Kittredge School


The water laps against the shoreLaughter comes from everywhereChildren’s feet sink in the wet sandI feel the ocean’s heart beat against my leg

Katarina Berger5th grade, Havens Elementary

On the Beach, 1908,

Joaquin Sorolla y

Bastida. Gift of Archer

M. Huntington.


Art of Africa,Oceania,and theAmericas

A R T O F A F R I C A , O C E A N I A , A N D T H E A M E R I C A S ■ 6 8

Stela, A.D. 761,

Maya. Museum

purchase,

Phyllis Wattis

Purchase Fund.

Serpents glide through tunnels

Gods give off stares and gray skies turn black.

Garrett Roseman5th grade, Park Elementary

ancient figures danceIn patterns, bones rattle

violently


Eben Dower11th grade, Leadership High School

As she’sWalking through her crowd of people

FearlessDancingwith noEmbarrassment

Showing all who she is. Feeling like a Goddess With a deadly serpent around her neck

With fiery eyesShe looks like stone

yet so powerful.

Mark Yeghiazarian5th grade, Foster City Elementary

I come in one form

But I take on many shapes

TH

E S

ER

PE

NT

I am Quetzalcoatl

I am Quetzalcoatl

I am Quetzalcoatl

I am Quetzalcoatl

I rep

rese

nt n

o be

ginn

ings

And

I rep

rese

nt n

o en

ds

You

know

me

as th

e se

rpen

tI k

now

mys

elf a

s lif

e

I rep

rese

ntT

hat e

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as a

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ill a

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A R T O F A F R I C A , O C E A N I A , A N D T H E A M E R I C A S ■ 7 0

E S U E L E G B A

I am the force and spirit thatCauses you to cry, love, hate, yearnSmile, beg and createI am thunderI am rainI am earthI am fireI am nothing without the needs ofMen, yet I rule your mind andYour heart

You are powerYou are graceYou are the love I needYet you are the hate that inspiresYou create, you destroyFor you are ruled by me and IAm ruled by you. You created meBut I created you.

Carlton Blackman11th grade, Leadership High School

Figure in Honor

of Esu Elegba,

18th or 19th

century, Nigeria.

Museum

purchase,

Salinger Fund.


Masterworksof New Guinea Art:

Selections from theMarcia and John

Friede Collection

M A S T E R W O R K S O F N E W G U I N E A A R T ■ 7 2

I T H A N K Y O U

Your big wise eyes staring down at me as though telling me I’m welcome into your hut.I say thank you for welcoming me in.You watch me as I enter the door to your enchanted palace.I thank you again for letting me in.

Brenna Hagerty4th grade, Sonora Elementary

Gable Mask from a

Ceremonial House,

20th century.

Museum purchase,

Phyllis Wattis

Purchase Fund.

Female figure looking down on all individuals.The woman figure,the welcoming figure.Blessing all who pass her.

Imani Bibbs5th grade,Jefferson Elementary


Shell of oceanSea within Red with anger Teeth of pearlSea tortoise is on your face Crazy with cassowary feathersDance for deathThe universe comes for you

Mettlin Hunter4th grade, Ocean Shore School

Mortuary Mask

with Composite

Materials, 19th

century. Gift of

Marcia and

John Friede.

P O R T A L T O T H E S P I R I T S

I carry your life upon my shouldersI bare the might of death upon my backMy power is unmatchedFor I am the portal to the spirit world

Jordan Benjamin5th grade, Alamo Elementary


Why are you gaunt and your features distorted

Your blank eyes can’t see but your facetells a story

Why is your tangled and matted hairnot brushed

You radiate power with unbelievableforce

Why are your teeth plastered in a toothy grinwhen you give off the feelingyou’re sad

You once represented greatness butNow you are a spectacle to

all eyesWhy, why?

Lexi Kopf6th grade, Sonora Elementary

I float alone looking through the glass that keeps me captiveI float alone looking through the cloud of peopleWho are you?

Kit Mannion5th grade, Rooftop Elementary

Inspired by

Large Funerary Mask, 19th century.

Gift of Marcia and John Friede.


Portrait Head,

19th century. Gift

of Marcia and

John Friede.

Your ancient lips tell me storiesYour closed eyes shut out all secretsYet when you open themancient secrets and battlesand stories unknowncome swirling out like tidal wavesHave you been many placesand seen many things?What is life and death?You seem to know no evilI see only good and sadnessin your ancient face

Sophia Perry4th grade, Ohlone Elementary


Hook Figure

(yipwon),

19th century.

Museum

purchase,

Phyllis Wattis

Purchase

Fund.

Why do you stare?Where am I, my rough woodenbody feels lost and lonelyFirst and alone in an endless worldof loss and sorrowI stand aloneclosing my frightened eyesI stand alone

Chloe Miller4th grade, Clarendon Elementary


Inspired by

Large Ancestor Pole (bisj), 19th-20th century.

Museum purchase, Phyllis Wattis Purchase Fund.

All three of you stacked one on top of the otherSo tall it looks as if you could tip overThe carvings swirling up your bodyYour faces looking stern and stillSo balanced it almost seems you can do anythingYour ancestors whispering slowly down to youWith your perfect feet and bent legsit seems you’re alive

Laura Walley4th grade, Vallemar School

Inspired by

Shield with Swirling Faces, 19th century.

Lent by Marcia and John Friede.

I am your protector, your guideI am mighty and powerfulYet, I need your help to lift meMy fire eyes see right through men’s mightThe dazzling colors bring them to a haze in battleI am strong but still tearful when people get killed

Emily Vuong5th grade, Alamo Elementary


Let me play my songCome, come, play me, bang me Call the spirits of your landCome, come, tap me, rub mePlay my beautiful, loud musicCome, come, hit me, move me Let me do the job I was brought here to doCome, come play me, bang me, tap me, rub me, hit me, Move me, let me play my song

Alana Ayasse5th grade, H. J. Kaiser Elementary

Bang, bang oh how does it feel?I feel the spirit of each man come and bang on me, call for others.Bang, bang oh how does it feel?Shapes swirling describing a story making pictures.Bang, bang oh how does it feel?Deep dark orange and brown snake skinslithering all over.Bang, bang oh how does it feel?Patterns moving slowly asking for other spirits to come.

Alyssa Miller5th grade, Brandeis-Hillel Day

How does the reptile skin make thatthundering noise?How can anyone make such a beautifulblack body and carve the amazing designs into you?Your gorgeous solid black body and your beautiful thundering noise makes me want to be you.Ooh, thundering black drum.

Michael Inonye4th grade, Clarendon Elementary

Inspired by

Drum with Large

Face, 19th century.

Lent by Marcia and

John Friede.


Inspired by

Large Slit Gong,

19th-20th century.

Gift of Marcia

and John Friede.

Y O U R S O U N D

Will you be there to make a callWill your hollow body be able to save meSound your sound though call my nameWill you still stand mighty and deepOr will your sound be lost forever.

Avery Harrison5th grade, Havens Elementary

Inspired by

Flute Stopper with Figure,

19th century. Gift of Marcia

and John Friede.

A man that is very old and has a very long beard. The man has the sound of softness and never to be heard. His knees are very sharp and can never be harmed.He once had hope but never again.

Hoang Chau Truong5th grade, Cabrillo Elementary

A B O U T T H E P O E T ■ 8 0

D E V O R A H M A J O R is currently PoetLaureate of San Francisco. In addition tobeing a poet she is a performer, lecturer, fic-tion and creative non-fiction writer, and edi-tor. A trained actress and former dancer, sheapproaches poetry as both a written and per-forming art. In May 2002 Curbstone Pressreleased her second novel (which includespoetry), Brown Glass Windows, and in thefall of 2002 Creative Arts Books, Inc.,released her second solo book of poetry, withmore than tongue. She is the recipient of a2002 California Arts Council Spoken WordLiterary Arts Fellowship. This summerDaughters of Yam (a poetry performancegroup with Opal Palmer Adisa) released ajazz poetry CD, The Tongue is a Drum,under Irresistible/Revolutionary Records andopened a multi-media website, www.daugh-tersofyam.com. In early 2003 City Lights willrelease another book of ms. major’s poetry,where river meets ocean. In September of1995 her first novel, An Open Weave, award-ed the First Novelist Award by the BlackCaucus of the American Library Association,was released by Seal Press. In March of1996, Curbstone Press released her first solobook of poetry, street smarts, awarded thePEN Oakland 1996 Josephine Miles Award

for Excellence in Literature. Ms. major’spoems, short stories, and essays have beenpublished in a number of periodicals andanthologies. She has also written two “Startto Finish” history books for young people:Rosa Parks: Freedom Fighter and FrederickDouglas: A Hero for All Times (1999).

devorah major performs solo, with jazzmusicians, and as a part of Daughters of Yamwith Opal Palmer Adisa. Last year her per-formances included an International PoetryFestival in Naples, Italy. She was part of theYMCA’s Writer’s Voice series and a featuredperformer at University of California, SantaBarbara. In 1999 she was featured in SanDiego’s Border Voices Poetry Festival andpart of the performance festival Afro Solo VI.She has also shared her work on radio andtelevision stations in Northern and SouthernCalifornia, Southern Connecticut, andAtlanta, Georgia. In 2002 she performed inNew York City at the New School, in theDodge Poetry Festival, at the University ofConnecticut, and in a host of bookstores inNorthern California, Atlanta, Phoenix, NewYork, and Southern Connecticut.

Ms. major teaches and performs aspoet-in-residence in a number of museum,community, and school settings.

A B O U T T H E P O E T : D E V O R A H M A J O R

Documents

A Gallery of Poems - Legion of Honor › files › education › 01... · A Gallery of Poems An Anthology of Poems from Poets in the Galleries A program of the Education Department