Arts! By the People
Empowering Individuals Through Collaborative Acts of Self-Expression
In today’s class, we discussed Robert Frost’s 1920 poem, “The Road not Taken” and Bob Dylan’s 1964 poem, “My Back Pages.” The group looked at original photographs depicting roads and horizons for Frost’s poem and an abstract portrait for Dylan’s. We realized there is a strong connection to these two works and spoke about the historical context that they were both written, World War I and the Vietnam War.
Upon completion of their collaborative poem, we discussed the title and the use of the word hell. They insisted it should be left in because they felt it was their own “artistic freedom to choose.”
As they got up to leave they told me that this session triggered some very deep thoughts for them. They told me they enjoyed the class but requested for the next one if it would be possible to read poetry about summer flowers!
A big thanks to Dana DeBarros. Dana transcribed the work and also allowed us to use her original photographs.
What the hell are we going to do now with the path we have chosen?
If I could choose my path, I don’t think I’d do anything different than what I have done.
If I could choose my path, I would have more compassion, and had more depth with people.
If I could choose my path, it would encompass all the areas of gray, black, white and in-between.
If I could choose my path, I would have appreciated the moment.
If I could choose my path, I would put a lot more thought into the initial choice, because after choosing you make room for correction and the choice would be wiser.
If I could choose my path, I’d linger longer and listen to the sages.
If I could choose my path, I think I wouldn’t have jumped to things; I would have given it more thought.
Created by the participants of the Lester Senior Housing Talking Poetry class, July 1, 2011.
Beatrice Freiheiter, a participant in our Talking Poetry Class, was inspired to write her own ekphrastic poem based on Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.”
It was late at night.
I was cold and tired.
I had to find a place to rest
before I started to expire.
Down the road I saw a diner,
but the area was lonely and dark.
I made my way to it
and found a place to park.
I went inside the diner
and looked all around.
The customers were sitting and eating,
they did not utter a sound.
They looked so lonely and forlorn
that even the waiter stifled a yawn.
I heard someone give a wistful sigh,
it gave me the creeps, like someone had died.
I paid my bill and left in a hurry,
a shudder ran down my spine.
I wanted to get home as soon as possible
and hug that family of mine.
The place still haunts me.
When I think of it, I am sad.
I hope those unhappy people
find someone to love and feel glad.
—Beatrice Freiheiter
![At our Friday poetry session, our senior citizens of Lester Housing experimented with ekphrastic writing. Ekphrasis is the graphic, often dramatic description of a visual work of art. We read ekphrastic poems inspired by Edward Hopper’s, Nighthawks and Pablo Picasso’s Man with a Blue Guitar. It turned out to be a fascinating session because of the abstract nature of our dialogue.
I showed the seniors another painting (shown above). They decided to title the poem “[untitled].” (An abstract idea in itself!) They wanted to add their own free-form lines to introduce the work. At the end of the class, I revealed to them that the artist of the painting is their fine arts instructor, Willie Báez.
A big thanks to Willie for introducing me to this unique form of expression and for lending us the artwork. Also a big thanks to Stacy Osei-Kuffour for helping out and transcribing. —Paul Rabinowitz[Untitled]Reflections,life,dreams,a man for all seasons,tightly interconnected random thoughts.When I look at this paintingI see above me and below me and side to side slowlyI see nature and food and plants and good things to smell and eatI see a dreamer; I see things he might like to doI see life, food, flowers, dreams; what makes the worldI see balance in one’s lifeI see reelections of things past and presentCreated by the seniors at Lester Housing in our Talking Poetry Class, June 03, 2011. The painting by Willie Báez is “In the Spirit of Nature, Acrylic on Canvas 20”x20”](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmlnnoOh531qd24o4o1_1280.jpg)
At our Friday poetry session, our senior citizens of Lester Housing experimented with ekphrastic writing. Ekphrasis is the graphic, often dramatic description of a visual work of art. We read ekphrastic poems inspired by Edward Hopper’s, Nighthawks and Pablo Picasso’s Man with a Blue Guitar. It turned out to be a fascinating session because of the abstract nature of our dialogue.
I showed the seniors another painting (shown above). They decided to title the poem “[untitled].” (An abstract idea in itself!) They wanted to add their own free-form lines to introduce the work. At the end of the class, I revealed to them that the artist of the painting is their fine arts instructor, Willie Báez.
A big thanks to Willie for introducing me to this unique form of expression and for lending us the artwork. Also a big thanks to Stacy Osei-Kuffour for helping out and transcribing. —Paul Rabinowitz
[Untitled]
Reflections,
life,
dreams,
a man for all seasons,
tightly interconnected random thoughts.
When I look at this painting
I see above me and below me and side to side slowly
I see nature and food and plants and good things to smell and eat
I see a dreamer; I see things he might like to do
I see life, food, flowers, dreams; what makes the world
I see balance in one’s life
I see reelections of things past and present
Created by the seniors at Lester Housing in our Talking Poetry Class, June 03, 2011. The painting by Willie Báez is “In the Spirit of Nature, Acrylic on Canvas 20”x20”
The amazing young artists from the Neighborhood House STAR Program created an incredible track called “Summer Love” with Gustav Gauntlett during our current hip-hop program at Frelinghuysen Middle School in Morristown. This group of 7th- and 8th-grade artists conceptualized, wrote, and recorded “Summer Love” in under an hour! This is most of the group’s first time recording, and they clearly have no fear of letting their voices be heard!
When I walk in nature, I feel that’s where I belong.
When I walk in nature, my life belongs within.
When I walk in nature, I try not to disturb.
When I walk in nature, I feel a burst of life.
When I walk in nature, I feel peace around me.
When I walk in nature, I feel I am healing.
When I walk in nature, I feel an awakening and beauty in what I see.
When I walk in nature, I feel relaxed and really good.
When I walk in nature, it encompasses my whole being.
This collaborative poem was created by the participants of the “Talkin’ Poetry Class” at Lester Senior Housing on May 06, 2011.
Here is the latest collaborative poem from ARTS! By the People’s “Fun with Poetry” class at Lester Senior Housing. A group of about 12 residents ranging in age from 76 to 97 years old attend our class. We discuss a theme and read related poetry. This week’s theme was “change,” based on the coming of spring and the turn of seasons.
After we discussed and read poetry, I went around the room and prompted each resident with the phrase “when the snow melts…” Each one responds with his or her own line, as you see below. I do not change anything, because I want to keep it authentic, so how you read it is how they say it.
The seniors think of a title for the final step. Each month, these poems are submitted to Lester Senior Housing’s monthly newsletter. The seniors love to see their work in print. —Paul Rabinowitz
GALOSHES
When the snow melts, I hear laughter from children playing outdoors.
When the snow melts, I think of lots of water,
When the snow melts, I think of water.
When the snow melts, spring is not far away.
When the snow melts, I like to see the buds on the trees, because they will open up and have beautiful leaves and flowers.
When the snow melts, I see clean walkways and think of things that you can begin to do.
When the snow melts, I hope it doesn’t turn to ice!
When the snow melts, I like to try to get out.
When the snow melts, I think ancient, classical, modern, and futuristic. It encompasses all.
When the snow melts, the world changes.
When the snow melts, things come up from underneath the soil, refresh and change your outlook.
This poem was created by the senior citizens of ARTS! By the People’s “Fun with Poetry Class” at Lester Senior Housing. For inspiration, we passed out a rose and asked the seniors to close their eyes, smell the flower, and think of the phrase “Love can be… ” Here is the result, a collaborative poem. —Paul Rabinowitz
LOVE AS A ROSE
Love can be magic.
Love can be as beautiful as each petal of this rose.
Love can be where all your dreams come true.
Love is as fragrant as the scent of this flower.
Love can be everything you ever wished for.
Love is a forever thing.
Love is you and me.
Love can be the best medicine that you can have.
Love is a magic potion that everyone dreams of and desires.
Love can be everything that you always wanted and as lovely as this rose.
Love is as sweet and soft as the petal on this flower.
Here is a collaborative poem written by the senior citizen residents of Morris View in ARTS! By the People’s new “Fun With Poetry Class” on March 7, 2011. The theme for this class was animals. We read poems about animals and discussed why poets find inspiration by observing them. We talked about our favorite animals. Each senior contributed a line, and the group created the title. —Paul Rabinowitz
IF I WERE A MAJESTIC, NOBLE, SOARING EAGLE
If I were an eagle, I would fly amongst the trees.
If I were an eagle, I would fly high in the sky.
If I were an eagle, I would have total freedom.
If I were an eagle, I would like to fly.
If I were an eagle, I would like to be a silhouette.
If I were an eagle, I would like to be as noble as people say I am.
If I were an eagle, I would soar over the mountains.
If I were an eagle, I would just fish and enjoy the atmosphere.
If I were an eagle, I would look for food and eat.
If I were an eagle, I would watch what is going on.
If I were an eagle, I would be majestic in flight.
The wall was the subject of January’s “Fun with Poetry Class” at Lester Senior Housing. A wall can be a political division, a division of different people, or just a divide that separates ideas. I prompted the seniors with the phrase, “Over the wall…” Below is their collaborative poem. —Paul Rabinowitz
OVER THE WALL
Over the wall, I see people.
Over the wall, I hear people cheering.
Over the wall, I see people looking up at the sky.
I see children playing.
Over the wall, I see freedom.
I see happy faces.
Over the wall, I see children growing up.
I see a lake, water lilies, and my reflection in the water,
Over the wall, I see blue sky,
Over the wall, I see children playing in the garden next door,
Here is the poem written by the senior citizens of Morris View in ARTS! By the People’s first “Fun with Poetry Class” on February 7, 2011. There were ten participants in a circle. A young man with cerebral palsy sat in a wheelchair in the back. He was not a part of the circle. I was not sure if he was there by chance or a part of the class.
We handed out roses at the end of our class, and and as we were leaving, he made a motion with his head and a loud sound. We turned around and came over to him. With one finger, he typed out on his computer, “My name is Arthur. I liked the class.” We asked him if he wanted to contribute to our poem of the day, and he typed out, “Love can be happy…” —Paul Rabinowitz
LOVE CAN BE
Love can be nice to be together.
Love feels good.
Love can be nice.
Love can be a rose.
Love can be nice.
It can be heavy.
Love can be many different things.
Love can be happy.
