Creaky gray Ford
Takes a bump then lump
On a dirt road
Enclosed in deep dirt walls
Brooding trees
Flies hum then buzz
Road kill
Flat as a flitter
We all have a bit of a dreamer in us. Some answer the call in dramatic ways. Others answer but their work is obscure. It is not the fame or the payday, it is the response.
In Georgia, a folk artist named Harold Finster created Paradise Gardens. He has passed but his vision has not.
His artwork is incredible and the picture below does not do it justice. I did not want to violate copyright so I did not download any pictures to post. However, google Howard Finster. It is a feast for the eyes.
Paradise Gardens Historic Site Link
We all have a bit of a dreamer in us. Some answer the call in dramatic ways. Others answer but their work is obscure. It is not the fame or the payday, it is the response.
In Georgia, a folk artist named Harold Finster created Paradise Gardens. He has passed but his vision has not.
His artwork is incredible and the picture below does not do it justice. I did not want to violate copyright so I did not download any pictures to post. However, google Howard Finster. It is a feast for the eyes.
Paradise Gardens Historic Site Link
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| By Mimi L Cunningham (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The band Blackhawk performed a song that refers to Finster's work. REM had Finster to create some of their album covers.
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I like white dogwoods the best. They are sprinkled in pine and hardwood forest in Georgia. I looked up different dogwoods and there are species native to Georgia that I did not know about. However, I have seen them.
The story about Christ being crucified on a cross of Dogwood is not true. The tree does not grow in Israel.
_(2).jpg) |
| By Virginia State Parks staff (FL Dogwood Flowers Uploaded by AlbertHerring) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons |
Such an interesting collection of thoughts here. I enjoyed the poem and also learning about Harold Finster. And you're right about how lovely dogwoods are especially in the woods -- the blossoms seem to sparkle against the green of the trees.
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Originally, I only thought of Dogwood and that was boring. However, Howard Finster was a good topic. I ordered a print of his picture of the last supper. A wee inspiration to spur my writing adventure.
DeleteGreat verse indeed. All have a dreamer in us at some point at least.
ReplyDeleteSometimes our dreams are the light to where we go next in life. I know my life is winding down, but I do know what is to come will not be what I expect.. lol
DeleteMy fantasy is being a pain in the rump to some kid in the nursing home that gave me heck in the classroom. But that is not possible. They gave me heck then, they can dish it out now. So I will skip that, please. ;=)
Cute post! Your poem made me snicker! If not a dogwood tree, then what? O.O
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Mueller
AtoZ 2015
My Little Pony
Like many things in the past, they do not know. I think the Eastern Orthodox thought they were in possession of the cross and had a complicated history of where the wood grew.
DeleteI'm glad you like the poem. Just a little fun.
Your poem really fit the picture. I've never heard of Harold Finster but he sounds like a good-hearted man.
ReplyDeleteFinster was an interesting person. I don't know how close you live to Appalachia but mountain people can be creative, expressiveness with a kiss my azz attitude. My mother grew up in Mentone which is next to Valley Head where Howard Finster was born.
DeleteThe poem about the dirt road reminded me of going four wheeling. It's been a long time! My (24 year old) car has all wheel drive, but it's a sedan. It's mostly made for better handling on icy roads as opposed to driving on unpaved trails in the back country.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting at openmindedsearchfortruth.blogspot.com :-)
There is so much sand on some of these dirt roads, you probably need a tank to guarantee you don't get stuck. I see kids on ATVs all the time. Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteWe tried to grow a dogwood tree in our part of Australia. We had two summers of extreme heat, temperatures of over 40 degrees for quite a few days. Unfortunately, it did not survive. They are such a pretty flower. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. Carolyn at pastimes-passions-paraphernalia.org. Good luck with the challenge. I like the articles with a bit of history attached!
ReplyDeleteThey are just starting to hit their peak around here (the dogwoods). I forget how many there are. Such a beautiful time of year.
ReplyDelete