Friday, December 31, 2010

poetry cups

My heart, in hiding, stirred for a bird.
gerard manly hopkins
(Now thats poetry for you)

I've been making poetry cups over Christmas. Its really because of those car trips back to Milwaukee to see my grandparents. After a group sing- a- thon of every song in the family canon my dad would lean back, settle in, and begin to recite poetry. He was fond of Carl Sandburg , Edgar Allen Poe, and Robert Service. Sometimes the words floated around the inside of the car like butterfly wings, but then when Dad started 'Chicago! Hog butcher for the world! City of the big shoulders!' I'd have to roll the window down and let those words hurtle outside and clomp off down the highway.
Sitting there and listening to dad's beautiful , animated voice, as farm houses , cornfields and masses of birds passed by, I mostly felt jubilant about the world and its possibilities. But sometimes the poems were about loss.


I shall never see you run
through the orchard anymore,
or hear the scratching of your paws
in early morning at my door.
I shall never watch your tail
saying you are glad of me,
Or know at meals your eyes are turned
Upon my plate reproachfully
I shall never see you sleep
like a ball curled in the sun
Or feel your nose pressed in my hands
Now all your dear dog days are done.
rachel field



reverse of cups


The whole world was a vast moving screen of snow
but even now it said peace;
It said remoteness,
It said cold,
It said sleep.
conrad aiken




Over Christmas I had a momentary sink-me-down, so I crept off to the bedroom and laid on the blue flowered spread and pulled out this book. I was thinking about how people I loved were either in transit, or out of touch, some under a blanket of earth covered by an inch of snow. But by the third poem an inchworm of promise began crawl inside me. I picked myself back up , combed my hair and decided to make butterballs. They are a family tradition. Along with the lopsided angel at the top of the Christmas tree, a drive around town to see the lights shine against all those pine trees, and the best one of all, poetry on car trips.
Happy New Year dear readers!
xx
julie




juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com

45 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh, Julie I love this post. Your Dad sounds like my kind of guy...he totally "gets" it. Lucky you! I wish you and your family a very happy, peaceful and prosperous NEW YEAR!

lilylovekin said...

I'm glad you found comfort in poetry and that you where able to enjoy your holidays. wishing you the best for 2011. I so love your new poetry pieces and hope one can find its way to my home.

cabin fever said...

Hello Julie!

So glad to read your newest post. Beautiful (poetry) words, beautiful pieces of JW pottery. Perfect combination!!!

It's lovely here in New England, hope your last day of 2010 is lovely, too.

Happy New Year, my dear. All the best wishes for 2011. XO Liz

A Mermaid's Tale said...

I too find great solace and great joy in reading poetry. I search out old poetry books in dusty second-hand bookshops and scour the pages for something that touches my senses. I now have a lovely collection that I can dip into as and when I feel the need, and the words calm and soothe, inspire and delight.
Happy New Year Julie!
Christine x

Aunt Jenny said...

I LOVE the poetry cups and the story of your dad..wonderful!
The little cup with the bird and the poem about snow is perfect...the dog one makes me think of some of my best friends now gone..so sweet. You are amazing. Have a wonderful new year!

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

....i have the hankie out...again...what a day....that doggy poem got me but good....

my sweet Buddy gone this year...what a loss...but now the gift of my sweet life saving Teddy....

i LOVE the poetry cups. brillant. loved reading this post...your dad...looking at the fields on the car rides...felt like i was right there with you...

pulling yourself up to make butterballs...what a holiday season it has been..and here we are...on the doorstep of a new year.

sending warm new year wishes, my friend

xxx
K. and T.

Baggaraggs: said...

I think you might be the only other person that I know who knows Gerard Manley Hopkins, Welcome morning, Morning minion, dapple drawn dawn Falcon! Love it and your Lovely work. Hugs, Robin

Vicki Boster said...

Julie- I am in love with your poetry cups. They are outstanding- what a fabulous creation.

Christmas is a hard time to be without loved ones - I understand your pain. I hope this New Year s filled with many blessings and an abundance of creative inspirations. Thank you for this past year of beautiful designs and your lovely blog. I look forward to sharing your passions through your blog in this New Year.
Vicki

A bird in the hand said...

Happy New Year, dear Julie. Your work IS poetry, so it's lovely to see actual words added to the cups.

xoxo

Erin | Bygone Living said...

So beautiful!!

Wishing you a wonderful new year ♥

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

lovely words...from your heart. sorry you were feeling down...it happens in this life. i smiled at the thought of your dad reciting poetry...what a great memory for you. i think my dad just mostly cussed at other drivers! lol!

Happy New Year...maybe 2011 will be the year I acquire a piece of your lovely pottery. I think I'll write it down on my list of goals for this year!

xox

Unknown said...

I too have my hankie out, what a beautiful post. The poetry cups are wonderful!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year from here on the island.

kathyd said...

Happy New year to you too.
what a really lovely post .
may 2011 bring you great
happiness.
xxoo

Librarian said...

What a beautifully creative idea, to make poetry cups! Usually, poetry is not exactly my cup of tea, but I do like this. And the poem about the dog is so touching; everyone who has ever had a beloved pet will understand it.

Happy New Year to you!

A time to dance said...

Wishing all good things for you and yours 2011....every blessing from Helen XX

susan jenkins said...

wonderful post Julie. I remember dad reciting poetry, still can hear him. A sweet memorie.
Love your sweet poetry cups, beautiful!
xo

Paula said...

Dear Julie,
What a delightful post! Your dad sounds wonderful! So glad you had a nice trip! I love poetry and enjoy reading it often! Oh, the one about the doggie got me! I love your gorgeous poetry cups!!! You are so creative sweet friend! I am glad your poetry reading helped you and your enjoyed Christmas! I hope your New Year will be filled with joy and blessings! Love, Paula

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

What a touching post Julie - I especially liked reading about your Dad's poetry recitations on the way to Milwaukee - a real gift from the past. How many of us memorise verses today? Love the poetry cups! x

Claire said...

Hey Julie, another beautiful post, full of lovely words and images.
The poem by Rachel Field had me tearing up, had to find a tissue to wipe my eyes so I could keep reading....
Words floating like butterfly wings or clomping down the highway, wonderful mental images making me smile. What memorablel car trips they would be.
Your poetry cups are stunning, words and pictures coming together in your unique and exquisite way.
May 2011 be full of wonderful ideas and creations.

Lori ann said...

oh dear. julie, this moved me so. your words, feeling the meloncholy of the season, seeing your exquisite tea cups...what a beautiful, meaningful way for your memories. mary oliver is who i turn to sometimes reading sometimes listening (i love her books on tape).
happy new year dear julie, i wish you ALL the best in 2011.
love,
lori

Wish on a Whisker said...

Julie~ Merry New Year! I enjoyed peeking at your new things. We enjoy tea regularly in your beautiful cups. They make my heart sing... Love~Mandy

Sweet Birdy Love said...

Hey Julie, how funny to find a comment from you as I was just outside picking a bunch of Camp David roses and thinking of you. I have taken photos for the next post......
The gardenias are gorgeous have picked another bunch for the bathroom. I'm not surprised you can smell them all the way over there....
I do hope you can track down some raspberry cordial, I think I better put in on my shopping list too. I've got the taste for it now.....
Beautiful day, I'm not meltingly hot, so quite happy.

Claire X

Laura said...

what a truly beautiful post. thank you for sharing. the cups are a miracle-and meaningful. poems do so many things to the spirit and i am thankful that you let us understand what they can do for you. you are amazing:)

April said...

Oh goodness...I am Late to the party!!! Look at all the wonders you have made! And I read your words of poetry describing poetry. I love how you said,
"I'd have to roll the window down and let those words hurtle outside and clomp off down the highway." You're a poet and don't know it! And dear old Buzz died- he lived across the street and damn, if he didn't die on New Year's Eve!He was such a gentle old soul and I was blessed to be able to say goodbye...but the poem of the doggie sure hit home. What a beautiful combination...your pottery and poetry- Bliss!

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

Lovely post, lovely pieces, lovely words. I'm glad your time under the covers was short-lived. Sometimes we need those "time outs" and then can go back to the world and see the beauty in all of it. Happy New Year to you Julie!

Kate Fernyhough said...

Beautiful cups and a wonderful post, thankyou, I love poetry and it's so good to know others do too!
Best wishes for 2011

Lesley Todd said...

Happy new year to you, I'm glad you found some solace in poetry. I guess inspiration is even in sadness. I love your poetry cups, what a beautiful and wonderful idea. Ps. That poem about the dog brought a tear to my eye. x

Vintage Fairy Tales Rebecka said...

Julie,
YOU are poetry,
from head to toe!
Happy New Year
Love
Becky

Anonymous said...

Julie, I love the story about your Dad, and the singing in the car! My parents would sing on road trips, and seemed to know a song about each state - what fun it was! Your poetry cups are so sweet, and genius!!

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Happy New Year, Julie! Such a lovely post, and your new pieces are wonderful! As always, such delightfully fresh and seemingly spontaneous images. Thanks for bringing so much joy into the world. Gloria

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Sorry honey I have not been by here in a long time. My loss for sure.
Love this post and your dad. Wow to have a dad to recite poetry to you has to be the greatest thing in the world. Love it
I love your cups to. Are you putting them in your shop for sale.
Last night I added a page to the top of my site called Temptations. Remember when I use to do the Temptation Mondays and you were on there. Well I hope you don't mind but your site is listed on my new page.
Happy New Year
Maggie

Maggie Ann said...

Love your post...as always. The dog poem was so touching. Your pottery is wonderful. I,ve had many a 'sink-me-down'but never heard that expression before. How fitting. Happy New Year! It's so great to be here to experience it. "the mercies of God, what a theme for my song....". Now if only this electric blanket throw did'nt burn my knee. It sure feels kind of hot.

dulcy said...

This is an enchanting post! The cup with the black doggy is so sweet. I'm lusting for one of your spoons. I keep checking your shop for just the right one!
Dulcy

sharon said...

Your post has touched and warmed my heart. Your pottery is amazing and I am left speechless at it's beauty! I am so glad I found you thru Julie Haymaker....your work is wonderful!

Vicki Boster said...

These are so beautiful - I am in love with the poetry cups. You know I want one - or two - or three! Will you have any more winter owl ones in your next batch? I am hoping for the blue bird, a snowman, and that beautiful owl~~ I will wait all year if I have too!

vicki

marie-louise said...

what nice things you do!

Anonymous said...

Ah, Julie. Your blog is always filled with love and creativity. I too miss loved ones during the holidays - but then I lean on the sweet memories and all is well once again.
Wishing you a very happy 2011,
Zuzu

Unknown said...

Julie I gobbled every bit of this post up ...Your insight , the poetry, every bit of it and then the cups with heart handles and poems !!! PS thanks for the comment on my move to Michigan we are doing it !!

Anonymous said...

Being away from blogs has given me cause to catch up - still I love the dog poem, so appropriate, for our dog died at Thanksging time. Once in a while, we think she is under foot, but then realize no, no, it couldn't be.
Time to think about another dog?

Simply Shelley said...

A very beautiful post....it blessed me...thank you! Your cups are wonderful..each one so sweet. Hope your New year has been wonderful thus far...Shelley

Barbara said...

Those poetry cups are fun and the donkey clopping through the houses.

Making tea as you asked:

Take the pot to the kettle and pour in hot water to warm the pot. Very important. Tip out then add the tea, 1 teaspoon per person (and they always said plus 1 for the pot). Pour on to the leaves BOILING WATER to oxygenate. Leave to stand about 5 minutes but do not stew. Pour a small amount of milk into cup and then add tea. Some people prefer to pour tea first and then add milk. Add sugar last.

Vickie said...

Happy New year, Julie. I so understand this post. I always feel a bit sad at Christmastime. It's kind of a let down to me, although I love the actual season. My friend Junelle had a lovely post on her "yes and amen" blog that so captured the feeling. Best to you and yours for a healthy and happy 2011.

Laura Haviland said...

Oh my goodness Julie, wow I love your posting...
I am so glad to find your amazing blog. How truly lovely.
Thank you,Hugs Laura. xoxx
What a pleasure visiting you..

Maggie Ann said...

I am glad for you that you are reading and enjoying 'Miss Read's' books! How nice you've got your own little collection started. I always enjoy reading and rereading her books. I remember once reading her aloud to my teenage daughter (many years ago), (from Chronicles of Fairacre) while she was lying on the couch recovering from t he flu.

Another series I really love, is 'The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Especially the first 7 books or so. Precious Ramotswe runs a detective agency in her beloved Africa, and has such a quiet wisdom about her...She is special. Have you tried this series yet? They made a tv series about it...but I didn'nt care for that. Tv manages to defile things sooner or later.

Well, happy reading Julie! I am reading a 'lamplighter' book just now that I downloaded free from Amazon. 'ebooks' are very nice and enables you to carry scads of them in your pocket...thanks to Kindle. =)

Lena said...

How lovely to have a father that recited poetry, Julie. I'm so glad that you're feeling better now. Sometimes words can heal. Just knowing that someone else understands...

I think your work is so lovely. It makes me smile, everytime I look at it.

Take good care.

Animals who garden

Animals who garden
Donkey with green paw