Friday, August 8, 2014

Artistic Interpretations - Skeleton Poetry

Galapagos Turtle - Geochelone elephantopus
I am happy to host once again "Artistic Interpretations with Margaret".  I struggled with what to call this month's theme - and ended up coming up with the obvious:  "Skeleton Poetry".  But I leave it up to you to interpret what that means.

Recently I visited Washington DC and visited numerous museums and photographed numerous exhibits and famous artwork - (collecting months of images for future challenges)  The images posted here were taken from the Natural History Museum's exhibit "Bones & Mummies".

Black Caiman - Melanosuchus niger

Following are a few poems  that deal with skeletons - however, please do not let this limit or define your response…

All Poetry - Poems about Skeletons

On the Skeleton of a Hound

The Skeleton in Armor

My Skeleton and below is a YouTube video of Jane Hirshfield exploring an ode… a poem which talks directly to the object of the poem - here she speaks to her skeleton.



For this challenge I do require a new poem or a greatly re-worked one.  Please link your specific post to "Mr. Linky" below.  As we know, Friday is often a hectic day, so please feel free to submit late and remember - Monday is "Open Link" here in the Garden.  Thank you, and I look forward to your artistic  interpretations.

If this challenge is a success and "The Garden" willing, I can resurrect this challenge in the future and post different images - I took over 50 black & white skeleton photographs!   My artist daughter has expressed a wish to draw some of my images, so maybe that will be another route in which we can explore this theme.  


Tiger - Panthera tigris
Kingfisher - Mergaceryle torquata
Common Bullfrog - Rana catesbeiana
Bighorn Sheep - Ovis canadensis
Flying Lemur - Order Dermoptera





16 comments:

avalon said...

Seems a strange word to use, taking into account the possible circumstances of their demise, but these images are exquisite.
And that with an iphone! Must be some camera in there.
Thank you Margaret for taking us down this route.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the strange. Stirred something black inside :)

Kerry O'Connor said...

What an excellent idea for poetry.

Unknown said...

what a queer little prompt ... i love the tortoise skeleton... its cute almost!! ;)

brudberg said...

What excellent prompt.. I loved your kingsfisher poem.. but the bullfrog skeleton intrigued me.

Jim said...

Love your prompt, Margaret. I will soon go to work (or do it this on mine.
There are two skeletons I have in mind, one, a steer head with horns hangs on my office wall.
The other is the one I keep in my closet. Guess which? (I duno yet.)

Sherry Blue Sky said...

An intriguing prompt, Margaret and what glorious photos. Loved the video of Jane - way cool! I shall see what my old skull comes up with for this prompt!!!!

Susan said...

I got the idea for mine from Mama Zen--phrases just popped into my head. Thank you.

Magaly Guerrero said...

I have a thing for bones... especially skeletons. It's just fascinating that without them we couldn't be (or look like) ourselves, but so many people are terrified of what they represent.

I can't wait to see what everyone come up with. Thanks for lovely prompt, Margaret!

Maude Lynn said...

My daughter was so thrilled with these pictures, Margaret! We'd love to see more.

Kathryn Dyche said...

Such cool images, I love skeletons and the museums in DC are fantastic. I've been meaning to go to the Natural History museum here in Cincinnati but haven't quite made it there yet. You've inspired me to get on it and go.

Hannah said...

Thank you, Margaret! I love your images and the reading that you featured as well...such inspiration!

Lolamouse said...

Very cool idea and images Margaret! Sorry I'm a tad late...

Anonymous said...

Such cool photos and idea, Margaret. Sorry that I too am late! Thanks. k.

Susie Clevenger said...

Fantastic photos Margaret! Thanks for challenging us with skeletons.

Anonymous said...

cool pix and idea, Margaret ~