Welcome to Artistic Interpretations. I recently visited Montclair, NJ and had lunch at
Tacoria. Brussel Sprout Tacos. Golden Avocado Tacos. Roasted Corn and Poblano Pepper Tacos. Pulled Pork and Citrus Kissed Grilled Chicken are other options. Hungry?
The food is a great deal for the price (think NYC and surrounding area $$$$) and the atmosphere very casual and unique. I was intrigued by the wall of books painted with a portrait that seems ripe for poetic interpretation. I snapped images of the book titles and they are posted below - I believe clicking on a photo will enlarge it for easier reading. I will also randomly select titles and list them below, but not all of them (I will not be posting the authors) You can peruse the titles as well. There is one last image of this lady at the bottom of the post. You may use my images for your challenge.
This prompt lends itself to the dark side, but it need not be dark. You know me, I'll probably find a way to spin my poem towards the light :)
The painting is a version of La Catrina.
HERE is a website that has other images (which we are NOT using for our prompt)
She is "deeply rooted in the Mexican psyche"... "originally Catrina was an elegant or well-dressed woman, so it refers to rich people... death brings this neutralizing force; everyone is equal in the end". She symbolizes the Mexican willingness to laugh at death itself. Another google search revealed:
According to urban legend, LaCatrina's roots come from Aztec death goddess Mictecacihuatl. In the legend, the goddess served the same purpose as La Catrina does today: to honor and protect those who have passed and to symbolize the relationship Mexicans have with death. These are just some of the things I found when I googled "La Catrina". I hope you are inspired to delve further into her meaning and history.
The challenge is to use ten (yes, TEN) book titles in a new poem. There are so many intriguing options I don't think this will be difficult. The portrait in some way must be used as inspiration. Maybe it is the legend itself, perhaps her makeup, perhaps her brown hair, or the red rose in her hair. Maybe it is the subject of books that you take away from this image. I give you permission to play fast and loose with the image.
I hope this isn't too strange a challenge and one you enjoy. Any poetic style is welcome and more than one poem is permissible. Of course, sign up with Mr. Linky below, and do the neighborly thing and politely visit your fellow poets!
Have fun, and I look forward to your Artistic Interpretation!
Dead in the Family
"J" is for Judgement
Malice
The Fire Dream
The Husband
Toxin
See I told You So
Dream Makers, Dream Breakers
Crossing Boundaries
City of Bones
The Lottery
Judge & Jury
The Bear and the Dragon
Absolute Friends
The Sum of all Fears
Portrait of a Killer
Daddy's Little Girl
Stalker
Wild Horses
After the Darkness
True Women
The Liar
Just as I am
Paradise
Fiasco
The Lost Symbol
Tales of Enchantment
Eyewitness to Power
Heartbeat
Brothers No More
The Naked Heart
Cold Case
Too Many Murders
Blind Alley
Wicked Business
Thumbs Up
The Day John Died
The Fifties
Love Smart
Survivor in Death
Along the Edge of America
Silent Honor
Exile
Chance
Toys
Sacrifice
R is for Ricochet
Blow Fly
The Road Ahead
Prey
Hot Money
Brothers in Blood
The Dark Half
Dark Child
Townie
Near Perfect
High Profile
The Eyes of Darkness
Private
As the Crow Flies
15 Seconds
Child 44
Secrets
Day of the Cheetah
The Harlequin
Going Rogue
Trace
No Greater Love
New Choices in Natural Healing
We are Water
The Innocent Man
Husbands and Wives
Maze
Fair Game
Next Man Up
Family First
Growing Up
The Confession
Angels Flight
Mama Rock's Rules
Play Dead
Lady Boss
The Collectors
Ghost Wars
Make it Last
Serpentine
Tribute
My Life
Cloud Chamber
Rough Country
Dead to Rights
The Baker's Wife
Zoo Break
Seize the Night
The Palace Guard
Heads or Tails
Amazing Grace
Lone Eagle
Case of Lies
Code to Zero
The Presence
The Purpose Driven
Save the Date
The Good Times
Otherland
A Darkness More Than Night
2nd Chance
The Hot Zone
Easy Money
Bee Season
Mirror Image
Pursuit of Honor
Her Own Rules
Blood Sport
Achievement Matters
Atlantis Found
Star
Rainbow Six
Long After Midnight
Angels Fall
Love and Survival
Panic
Almost a Revolution
Gap Creek
Indelible
What Do You Care What Other People Think?
Don't Blink
Operation Homecoming
Waltzing in Your Own Shoes
A Tribe Apart
HeartBeat
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
Half Moon Street
Hour Game
Reflections
Cold Mountain
Impossible
Clear and Present Danger
Dare to Discipline
That Used to Be Us
The Secrets Men Keep
The Long Road Home
Step on a Crack
Journey
The Greatest Generation
Beating the Street
3rd Degree
True Evil
Original Sin
Lady in Red
Honeymoon
Going Home to Glory
The Tenderness of Wolves
Dust
The Lighthouse
Tabloid City
Labrador Retriever
Winter Solstice
Make it Last
The Quickie
Flight of the Intruder
Home Remedies for Women
The Eagle Has Flown
Birthright
Kaleidoscope
The King of Torts
Tuxedo Park
Financial Self-Defense
A Reporter's Life
Hour Game
No Place to Hide
The Other Side and Back
No Place Like Home
Cross Country
Black Wind
Fighting Back
The Day Before Midnight
Undercover
Toys
Change
SORRY IF I START TO REPEAT TITLES...
Off Camera
Heads or Tails - The Politics of Money
Fantasyland
Double Cross
Edge of Danger
A Good Life
How to Make it Big as a Consultant
The World is Play
The Narrows
Handle with Care
The Loyal Physician
Woman in Red
The Fire Dream
The Corrections
The Commanders
The Brethren
Mortal Prey
Skin Trade
The Divide
The Testament
Lake Wobegon Days
The Last Templar
The Runaway Jury
Home Remedies
Bitterroot
My Story
The Malice Box
Double Cross
The Other Side of the Story
Blind Faith
The Long Road Home
Truth and Salsa
Connect
The Magic Circle
A Most Wanted Man
The Secret Pilgrim
Self Matters
Tough as They Come
The Purpose Driven Life
The Kiss
Total Control
The Kitchen God's Wife
Whiplash
The Broker
Remember Me