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TRANSCRIPT
An Anthologyof Poems
by Students
A Galleryof Poems
Poetsin the
Galleries
A Gallery of Poems
An Anthology of Poems fromPoets in the Galleries
A program of theEducation Department
at theFine Arts Museums
of San Francisco
Edited bydevorah major
Fall 2001–Spring 2002
Copyright © 2003
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
All rights reserved
Cover photograph: Paris Opera, 1924, Oskar Kokoschka.Bequest of Mrs. Ruth Haas Lilienthal.
The Poets in the Galleries program and this publicationwere made possible by The Mary Harrison Fund.
Additional funding was provided by the California Arts Council.
For more information about Poets in the Galleriesat the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco contact:
Jeannine L. Jeffries, Assistant Director of EducationCalifornia Palace of the Legion of HonorLincoln Park, 100 – 34th AvenueSan Francisco, CA 94121-1693415 / 750-3640e-mail: [email protected]://www.thinker.org
Harry S. Parker III, Director
Book design: Elaine Joe
Printing: Coast Litho
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
4 Introduction
6 About the Program
7 Special Thanks
California Palace of the Legion of Honor
9 Decorative Arts of Europe
31 European Paintings
67 Art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
71 Special Exhibition: Masterworks ofNew Guinea Art: Selections from theMarcia and John Friede Collection
80 About the Poet
I N T R O D U C T I O N ■ 4
I N T R O D U C T I O N
W E L C O M E T O T H E California Palace ofthe Legion of Honor’s Gallery of Poems. Iencourage you to go through it as you wouldtour through the museum. Just as in anygallery some pieces will make you stop andlinger for a long time, others will encourageyou to stay and ponder how you feel aboutthe piece, and you will inevitably pass byothers only to return on a future visit, won-dering how you had missed that particularwork the first time around.
Over twenty five-hundred poems werecreated by the participants in the Poets in theGalleries program in the fall of 2001 and thespring of 2002. The hundred or so poems inthis volume are certainly the best of the best.However, I could have created an anthologythree times as large and had the same highquality of poetics and perception. Sadly, Iwas again forced to leave out more excellentpoems than I could include. As I was selectingthe poems, returning again and again to thisfolder or that poem, I found myself consis-tently amazed and re-amazed at the depththese students could show in only two ses-sions at the museum. With one or two grouppoems under their belts, and perhaps one
5 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
practice poem hastily scribbled on their pads,I let the students tour the galleries and findone piece of art that called to them. I encour-aged them to use visual art devices that werealso poetic devices: perspective, texture,form, and imagery to form a relationshipbetween themselves and the art. As you willsee, some became the art, some became thepainter, some climbed inside the painting orsculpture, and some wrote as omniscientviewer. Some embraced the challenge of formand content, and like the visual art theyengaged, created a balance between the two.
In my seven years of working with theFine Arts Museums, one of my recurringpleasures is to have a young person’s poemmake me look more closely at a painting thatI had repeatedly passed by or one that hadgrown too familiar. When 8th-grader MaxSnelling writes, “His lips needing nothingmore than to be kissed,” I found myself seek-ing out the painting of Paul Mounet to seethe vulnerability that Max saw in the por-trait. When 4th-grader, Nate Gilchrist “tastesthe crispness of the wind” I am encouragedto go back to the Cabin on a Hill and seewhat flavors I might savor. When Rita Tam,
a 5th-grader, becomes the painting and asksJan-Frans van Dael to “Paint me silk petalsof life and beauty,” I am invited to look at afavorite painting from a new perspective. Ihad to listen to the Guarnerius violin as 11th-grader Lorena Leite did before she imaginedthe relationship the violin had with its playerand penned, “Her maple complexion shines,glows and loves him,” carefully sculpting thegraceful shape of the violin in her poem’sform and content. Although I have over theseyears spent an aggregate of days standing infront of most of these paintings, sculptures,and artifacts, although I may have had hun-dreds of young people compose a grouppoem about a particular sunset or describethe beauty of a specific gallery without usingthe word beauty, when I read a particularlyvibrant poem, I must again seek out thepoem’s object of inspiration which has beenmade fresh by the images the student evokes.I invite you to experience the galleries throughyoung people’s eyes, to see what they foundcompelling, important, amusing, humbling,and majestic in this Gallery of Poems.
devorah majorPoet and Editor
A B O U T T H E P R O G R A M ■ 6
F E W P R O G R A M S offered in museumsrelate the language arts to the visual arts.However, through a poetry program, stu-dents can enhance their verbal and writtenskills while learning about and viewing actualobjects. Students learn to communicate aboutvisual art through the literary art form ofpoetry, and in so doing they create their ownpersonal interpretation of the subjects of theirpoems.
To this end, the Fine Arts Museumshave presented since 1987 the Poets in theGalleries program to students in the fourththrough twelfth grades. Each poetry sessionis one-and-a-half hours long and each classvisits the museum twice. The specific goals ofthe program are to introduce students to thevisual arts in the museum through an inter-disciplinary approach that includes looking,observing, learning about art objects andpoetic styles, and listening to and readingpoems. The program also gives students theopportunity to meet and work with an actualpoet, devorah major. She selects the area orareas of the museum to be used during the
poetry sessions, but the students choose theobjects that will be the subjects of their poems.They are given ample time to look, think,and reflect while writing their poems and atthe end of the poetry session are encouragedto read their poems aloud to the class.
During the academic year 2001-2002,students learned about the works of art fromthe permanent collection of European paint-ings and decorative arts at the Legion ofHonor; viewed highlights from the perma-nent collection of art from Africa, Oceania,and the Americas; and toured the specialexhibition entitled Masterworks of NewGuinea Art: Selections from the Marcia andJohn Friede Collection.
With this edition we are resuming theprinting of the annual poetry anthology. Theanthology may have been gone for a fewyears but it was never forgotten. Illustratedwith photographs of the works of art in theMuseums, the poetry anthology highlights thecreative spirit and enthusiasm of these BayArea young people.
Jeannine L. JeffriesAssistant Director of Education
August 2002
A B O U T T H E P R O G R A M
7 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
I M U S T O F F E R thanks to many peoplefor the success of this volume. I know that inthese days it is popular to find short-comingsand deficiencies in our schools or teachers,our children, our community organizations.Perhaps I simply see the cream of the cream,or perhaps there is indeed more hope thanmany would believe. I thank the committedteachers who brought their polite and pre-pared classes to the museum, as well as theparents and teacher aides who helped withdiscipline and spelling, and helped to ensurepositive and productive student participation.I also thank the docents, who continue togive me ideas on new ways to present apainting or an art era; the volunteers, whohelped young people and their chaperones toenjoy the museum more fully; the curatorsand curatorial assistants, who gave me
insights into particular pieces, especially inthe New Guinea collection; and those guards,who in gentle and considerate ways helpedthe students to be responsible visitors to theLegion of Honor. I want to give my sincerethanks to the Museums’ education depart-ment, especially Jeannine Jeffries, AssistantDirector of Education, who is constantlyhelping me smooth out rough spots and findsolutions to various problems. I am alsograteful to the book’s graphic designer, whoworked through the challenge of the students’concrete poems with aplomb and skill.Finally, my largest thanks go to the students,who opened themselves up to the art and tothemselves and wrote with passion, intelli-gence, humor, and sensitivity. Thank you oneand all!
d.m.
P A R T I C I P A T I N G T E A C H E R S A N D S C H O O L S
Alamo Elementary, San Francisco: Margaret AmesBolinas-Stinson Elementary, Bolinas: Andrea ParkerBrandeis-Hillel Day School, San Rafael: Maria SewardCabrillo Elementary, San Francisco: Kathy KozuchClarendon Elementary, San Francisco: Renee Theriault, Rusty PendreyCrystal Springs Upland, Hillsborough: Elizabeth MillerEl Granada Elementary, Half Moon Bay: Susan F. HatfieldEnola D. Maxwell Middle School of the Arts, San Francisco: Robin Brasso
S P E C I A L T H A N K S
S P E C I A L T H A N K S ■ 8
Foster City Elementary, Foster City: Julie SittonGuadalupe Elementary, San Francisco: Ben EisemanHavens Elementary, Piedmont: Joan Twohy, Gretchen SchnitzerH. J. Kaiser Elementary, Oakland: Jill F. ReeseKittredge School, San Francisco: Emily K. EvisonJefferson Elementary, San Francisco: Loret Peterson, Carolyn Ann WeissLeadership High School, San Francisco: Laura Putnam, Eve GordonLeonard R. Flynn Elementary, San Francisco: Maria J. BlancoMarin Home Educational Cooperative, Mill Valley: Carol B. CannMarin School, Albany: Casey Hoosier, Christine JulianMeadows Elementary, Millbrae: Kathleen LynchMuseum Ambassador Program, Fine Arts Museums of San FranciscoNapa Adventist Junior Academy, Napa: Janet WrightOcean Shore School, Pacifica: Patricia McNallyOhlone Elementary, Palo Alto: Marry Bussmann, June FujiOld Mill Elementary, Mill Valley: Erin Lyons, Linda TanguayPark Elementary, Mill Valley: Danielle Ross, Rod SeptkaPresidio Hill, San Francisco: Lisa JeliR. L. Stevenson Elementary, San Francisco: Libbie SchockRooftop Elementary, San Francisco: Ann Henry, Richard MattsonSt. Brendan Elementary, San Francisco: Sister Christine OstrowskiSt. Isabella Elementary, San Rafael: Kathleen AdamsSt. John’s Elementary, San Francisco: Joan F. AndresSt. Stephen’s Elementary, San Francisco: Barbara Conti, Gina ZarichSt. Thomas More, San Francisco: Evelyn Trauner, Zodine SpiegelSonora Elementary, Sonora: Kelli Noteman, Susan WalterStuart Hall for Boys, San Francisco: Dennis EstradaTown School for Boys, San Francisco: Pam AbendrothVallemar School, Pacifica: Retta L. GuelWilliam deAvila Elementary, San Francisco: Donna LeeWindrush Elementary, El Cerrito: Nicola Berlinsky
9 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
DecorativeArtsofEurope
D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 1 0
The Kiss, ca.
1886, Auguste
Rodin. Gift of
Alma de
Bretteville
Spreckels.
loving one another. The kiss is like holding one another in case of fear and hate.
Love one another. The shape of a man and woman mak-
ing love peace, so their parents won’t fight
over their love.
Aofia Kiliona7th grade,
Enola D. MaxwellMiddle School
i s l ikeThe kiss
1 1 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Auguste Rodin,
ca. 1900, Camille
Claudel. Gift of
Alma de
Bretteville
Spreckels.
Thedark gloomy
face appearing from a shadow. The melody in his eyes brings darkness to
his soul. The bottom of his faceunrolling in the night. His back curled up in
a ball. He sees the world different from the way we do. He does not feel the emotions that we do.
He is trapped all alone.
Yana Shekhter5th grade, Jefferson Elementary
D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 1 2
Equestrian
Statue of
Charles III, ca.
1762, Attributed
to Tommaso
Solari. Mildred
Anna Williams
Collection.
You are riding brave and mightyHead raised, shoulders highBrave, powerful, moving forwardCloak flowingHorse as strong, tail flyingHolding your scepter Riding forward
Toby Hollis5th grade, Havens Elementary
Facetortured by the
future, lips tremblingwith fear. Eyes filled with
tears, hands closed, trying to hold it back. Forehead worried
and face dirtied.
Pablo Vasquez11th grade, Leadership High School
1 3 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Head of Pierre
de Wiessant,
from The
Burghers of
Calais, 1885-1886,
Auguste Rodin.
Gift of Adolph B.
Spreckels, Jr.
Dreading tomorrow and forgiving today
.
D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 1 4
As someone plays me a wonderful soundcomes from my heartA sweet sound, a soft soundI provide all those soundsFor happy people, sad peoplewho are in need of a cheerful tuneI am a violin, a violin
Amy Williams4th grade, Presidio Hill
Violin, ca. 1740, Italy, Giuseppe Antonio Guarneri (del Gesù). Bequest of Jascha Heifetz.
1 5 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Thechillingwind
encircleshim,
frozenby thewarmimageof his
belovedviolin.She
poseslike a
goddess.Her lovely
face surroundedby mahogany tendrils,
but shaded. The gas lampshines on the curves of
her hips and accentuatesthe slope of her
waist. Her maplecomplexion
shines, glows andloves him. He wantsto touch her, feel her,
caress her with his hands,his lips, his voice, for she
is his soul, his reasonfor being. The wind wrapsback around him and steals
him away for she is thesiren he can never
possess.
Lorena Leite11th grade, Leadership High School
D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 1 6
The Spanish Ceiling,
15th century, Spain.
Gift of Mrs. Richard
Ely Danielson and
Mrs. Chauncey
McCormick.
T H E S P A N I S H C E I L I N G
The glistening moving colorof gold -en rodappears brilliantautumn leavescome to lifepeaceful, gracefulwings in the sun glitter
Eric Tran5th grade, Havens Elementary
Scott Ford4th grade, Marin School
T H E G O L D E N C E I L I N G
The florescent golden color glimmersin the light. The golden color fills the room
.
The golden middle seeps through
the
room
like
mag
ic a
nd lo
oks
right
into
you
r ey
es.
1 7 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Louis XV Period
Room, 1735-1740,
France. Roscoe
and Margaret
Oakes Collection.
The room gleamingwith dim light.
But even that is enoughto see in your heart.
secret and heart burning room.You can see the smeared figuresmoving to the peaceful sounds
of joy. The deer, the boar,
The peace, the war allcombined in a single little
room. The chandelier is givingstreams of light like a river.
Dividing into peaceful streams, and everything.The sights, the music and the souls trapped in one
beautiful mysterious room.
Jane Shtalenkova4th grade, St. Thomas More
in the
balls set up
The great
and light.
of music
and the colors
D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 1 8
Eve, ca. 1881,
Auguste
Rodin. Gift of
Alma de
Bretteville
Spreckels.
1 9 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
S T A N D I N G H E R E
I amstanding
here, nakednothing to
shieldme,
nothing to hide me, nothing
to protect me.I am standing
here nakedfeeling alone
and useless.There is no-thing to doto see. Why
are you therejust looking
at me? Whatdo you wantto say? I know you want
to criticizeand judge.
But lookat you just
standing therelooking at mestanding here.
Karloina Pestryal11th grade, Leadership High School
E V E
My arms held tightly togetherNever to part, never to openIn fragile balanceI stand angelically, but trembling.
Shatter...
I am scaredFor what, I don’t knowWho knows the mysteryof my sorrow, pain, grief...frightFor who I don’t know.
Shatter...
By my hand, I push the darkness aside,trying my best to pull the light withinMy eyes drowned in tears of sadnessfilled with confusion and fright.
Shatter...
My worries have taken over meMy thoughts have begun to confuse meOne wrong move and I shall fallI fall...I shatter...
Ashley Amruil8th grade, St. Thomas More
D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 2 0
T H E N E C K L A C E
Glistening like the
stars reflectedoff the
water each jewel telling its ownstory like
red and pale tears
waiting toleap off
its owner’sneck
Alexander Ting6th grade, Crystal Springs Upland
Inspired by
Necklace and Pendant,
19th century, Tyrol,
Austria. Gift of Miss
Sarah M. Spooner.
Inspired by
Dalmatic, 1565, Spain. Gift of
Mrs. Herbert Fleishhacker.
I W I S H T O W E A R Y O U
You are a sparkling red robe.I want to put you on. The face
on you looks likehe is thinking, writ-ing. I wonder if he islonely missing friends
or family. Sparkling goldtrim. Your shape is like across. I wish to wear you.
Coulter Kunzel4th grade, Town School for Boys
R E D R O B E
Thick rich folds of ruby red velvetsurround the borders of golden
tapestry. Shimmeringflowers blossom in
the bright sun light.Blue-gold dragonsangrily clutch into
twisting vines.
Lauren Higley4th grade, Marin School
2 1 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
The Mighty
Hand, by 1906,
Auguste Rodin.
Gift of Alma de
Bretteville
Spreckels.
Reaching up to the skyMuscles bulgingFingers groping
Searching for somethingNot knowing what it is
A shiny mass of black so strongGreat and powerful hand
Clark Steward5th grade, H. J. Kaiser Elementary
D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 2 2
Victor Hugo,
ca. 1917,
Auguste Rodin.
Anonymous gift.
V IC T O RH U G O
A gentle face looks down upon me.
So gentle, so innocent, I can feel his eyes connecting
with mine. He guides me, he showsme the way. How can he stand in such a rocky rough place with a heart so smooth and so pure.
I look at his sorrow and sad eyes and wonder was he here, where I’m standing. When I wonder I think he will always be
my wise one.
Julia Anaya5th grade, Clarendon Elementary
A man in the mountainLike a colored pearlSo mysteriousSo powerfulYet weak and sadOld man do not cry In the mountainYou live so highGone
Stephen Wallace5th grade,Ohlone Elementary
2 3 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Pair of Ewers,
ca. 1700,
China/France.
Gift of Archer
M. Huntington.
The sea bound creaturesappall me with their putrid
blue skin.The violet and
gold disgusts me.The brilliant swirls and
spirals of porcelain.Where’s the line
between brillianceand disgust?
This is a questionthey can’t answer.
Only the artist and the viewercan say.
They just sit there like a statue of their own brilliant disgust.
Miles Tune7th grade, Bolinas-Stinson Elementary
D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 2 4
Chandelier, ca.
1750, France.
Roscoe and
Margaret Oakes
Collection.
C H A N D E L I E R
Icycold frozen
tears suspendedin time...Glistening, shimmering jewels
dancing in the warm glow of the
night
Adam Boggeri4th grade,
St. Isabella Elementary
2 5 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Itshines
like the sun.Big shiny crystal
shine everywhere. Crys-tals are shaped like big pret-ty flowers. Teardrops shaped like rain drops. Crystal bowlsshaped to hold a candle. Can-
dles are in bowl so shiny it is too bright to look at.Oh how I wish I was
as pretty as thatcrystal.
Christine Duenas5th grade, St. John’s Elementary
Little rainbows
captive in aglass prison like
baby birds anxious tosing. Glistening like pearly
water before a lone pebble is cast.Diamond teardrops silently running
down the face of every human being.A world with star rivers, ice andrainbows. Sugar candy to the
mind of a hungry child.Sunrise, sunset. Proud
stately. Time isFrozenFrozenFrozen
Frozen
Natalie Johnson5th grade, Old Mill Elementary
D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 2 6
Pair of Candelabra,
1811, Paul Storr.
Museum purchase,
Roscoe and
Margaret Oakes
Income Fund.
S I L V E R
See me glimmerPolished
Silver rolling my three intricate arms. By night I cradleholding tight four candlesburning bright.
By day I stand proud and tallpatterns
ofleaves andglamorous
rosesadorn
my body, for I am a candelabra.
Sarah Emory5th Grade, Old Mill Elementary
2 7 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Snuff Box, 1755-1756, Jean George. Gift of Archer M. Huntington.
Morgan Thompson5th grade, Park Elementary
I imagine forest green pillows hidden inside
Sweet honey calm swirls
Brass gold waves floatingSweet melodies
I am falling
Dancing, open, free,
MY BOX
D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 2 8
Pricket,
early 16th
century,
Italy. Gift of
Samuel H.
Kress
Foundation.
Michael Botello4th grade, Marin School
heavyshape
tomake the
Lifting
staythere
platforms
suffocatingsuffering
to lift each other.Sadly they have to
struggling
areYet they
into a pyramid
P R I C K E T
2 9 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
ToweringTurningStrength
and beautyMuscles lifting
Lynn Bagley7th grade,
Bolinas StinsonElementary
Look closelyTo see my many parts
Each figurehas a story
Each crack has meaningof its own
One under the otherWe hold each other up
Men struggleto keep their comrades safe
But the structureholds itself
Hannah Jones8th grade,
St. Brendan Elementary
T H E T O W E R
The Tower
of mankindReaching for
what has notbeen discovered
Uncovering some-thing everyday Reaching
above all darkness andsearching for the light that
will please the soul that
Eric Andrews5th grade,
Old Mill Elementary
fears to go away
wants darkness and
And the black legs of strength and beauty
Ebony shining through the light
Hearts are beating
D E C O R A T I V E A R T S O F E U R O P E ■ 3 0
F R O M T H E H E A R T
Sculpt me with powerSculpt me as oneSculpt me with passionSculpt me without colors, just mindSculpt me as myself, no otherSculpt me with diversionSculpt me, myself from the heart
Jonathan Kopf6th grade, Sonora Elementary
The Orator, 1933 or
1934, Pablo
Picasso. Museum
purchase, Roscoe
and Margaret
Oakes Income Fund
and Trust Fund.
3 1 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
EuropeanPaintings
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 3 2
Her gleeful smileenchants my thoughtsHer tawny hairflows gently to her waistShe is beautifulI want to meet herHer rosy cheeksbring out her lipsShe looks like she’s dancingThis beautiful girl
Madison Killen5th grade, El GranadaElementary
Hyacinthe Gabrielle
Roland, later Marchioness
Wellesley, 1791, Elizabeth
Louise Vigée Le Brun.
Mildred Anna Williams
Collection and Bequest
funds of Henry S. Williams.
Who is she I wonderHow beautiful she iswith curly brown hairdown her lovely skinI love her dress very muchIt’s made with lovely red silkShe looks so happy with ruby red cheeksI feel like I am in there with herWho is she I wonder
Winifred Dow5th grade, Foster City Elementary
3 3 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
His formal wearcigar in handHe has no worriesrelaxed yet tough His brown hair flows freelyHis lips needing nothing more than to be kissed
Max Snelling8th grade, St. Thomas More
Paul Mounet (?), ca. 1875,
Louis-Maurice Boutet de
Monvel. Museum purchase,
Art Trust Fund and Mr. and
Mrs. Vernon J. McKale Fund.
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 3 4
Still Life with Violin,
Sheet Music, and a
Rose, 1870, François
Bonvin. Museum
purchase, Grover A.
Magnin Bequest Fund.
3 5 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
The mahogany violin rests quietly in hopes it will be used againAging fire rose drops its petalsStrings still warm and vibrantSadness sweeps over it all in the endI reach out so that I may bring it back to life
Scott Wardell8th grade, St. Stephen’s Elementary
T H E L O N E L Y , S I L E N T V I O L I N
I am a silent violinI am a lonely violinI have music to playexcept no one would hear me I’m a silent violinThere’s a rose beside to make me feel betterbut it makes me feel worse becauseI’m a lonely silent violin
Brett Fornells5th grade, Meadows Elementary
Inspired by
Snow Effect, Damvillers,
ca. 1882, Jules Bastien-Lepage.
Museum purchase, Grover A.
Magnin Bequest Fund.
D A R K D O O M
Paint me with the darkon my hills
Paint me with the weedsblowing in the wind
Paint me with the angry windin my sky
Paint me with the darknessin my clouds
Paint me with the firein my horizon
Paint me with the angerthat I show
Kelly Hallisy5th grade,St. Stephen’s Elementary
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 3 6
The dog he is determineddeterminedto get the partridge.The partridge is determineddeterminedto flyawaydeterminedto live.
Kistian Mondahl5th grade, El Granada Elementary
Pointer and
Partridge in a
Landscape, ca.
1740, Jean-Baptiste
Oudry. Gift of
Phebe Cowles.
3 7 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
A N E W W O R L D
Look out on to the shining of the rocks,the trees, the birds, life so free, so real.Look at this world that is known to you and to mea child’s dreamland.Look now at the boulders, high and low.Look through the eyes of me.
Alex Pezzola5th grade, St. Stephen’s Elementary
A View on
Hampstead Heath
with Harrow in the
Distance, n.d., John
Constable. Bequest of
Whitney Warren, Jr.
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 3 8
Strong winds blowingThe hot red sun on my backI sit in silence on a cliffWanting to leave, not knowing howI can see the cool blue waterIn the distance
Rachael Klein8th grade, St. Stephen’s Elementary
Masada (or Sebbeh)
on the Dead Sea, 1858,
Edward Lear. Museum
purchase, Grover A.
Magnin Bequest Fund.
3 9 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Calm the sea, the endless sea.As I watch over the cool blue water.I wait. Fog bounds in. I try to see but I can’t.I feel the grass under my scraped feet.I feel the cool breeze. I hear the waves crash.I see nothing. I taste the salty air.I free myself of the fog.I start to walk then stop.The fog takes hold of me.I’m frozen from theicy finger tips.
Mott Schweitzer5th grade, Park Elementary
The Coast of
Aegina, 1867,
Frederic, Lord
Leighton.
Museum
purchase, Grover
A. Magnin
Bequest Fund.
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 4 0
V I O L A D E G A M B A
Sitting here with only my violawaiting and waiting for nothinglooking up at the sky and thinkingthinking about music and dancingthinking about me and deaththinking about life
Emily Barmore5th grade, Rooftop Elementary
Woman Playing
the Viola de
Gamba, 1663,
Gabriel Metsu.
Roscoe and
Margaret Oakes
Collection.
4 1 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Serious The interrupted man is unwelcomingHe looks away from meAnd sits in his soft, fluffy chairThen smiles at meA small sweet smile.
Reuben Bosch4th grade, Napa Adventist Junior Academy
Portrait of a Gentleman, ca. 1779-1782,
Joseph-Siffred Duplessis. Mildred Anna
Williams Collection.
Inspired by
The Wave, 1860, Gustave Courbet.
Lent by Mrs. Prentiss Cobb Hale.
I see cool misty wavesI feel the cold wind running against my faceI see the red and whitevanilla sky through my eyesThe sun is covered with lots of cloudsThe waves begin to get angryas the wind blows hard and harder
Shacaree Sears4th grade, Leonard R. Flynn Elementary
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 4 2
Birds flying away to safetyFar away from the crashing wavesThe sky darkening as the storm rolls alongSail boats fighting to pull into shoreThe wind is howling a long, long howl.
Josie Marks-McQuade4th grade, Windrush Elementary
The Thunderstorm,
1641, Jon van Goyen.
Museum purchase.
4 3 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
In the awkwardness of silenceAnimals lay stillA dog looks at the dead animalsA gruesome and awful sight
Jaysen Parmar5th grade, Foster City Elementary
Still Life with
Peacock, Rabbit
and Spaniel, ca.
1660-1669, Melchior
d’Hontecoeter.
Museum purchase,
William H. Noble
Bequest Fund.
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 4 4
The wind slices through the open windowsSending a chill throughout the dark lonely cabinDark clouds signal a storm is comingI feel sad. I taste the crispness of the windThe purple blue skies swirl in a blur of colorI hear leaves crunching under my feetI wish I could go home.
Nate Gilchrist4th grade, Town School for Boys
Cabin on a Hill,
n.d., Jacob van
Ruisdael. Jacob
Stern Permanent
Loan Collection.
4 5 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Calm sunset over white foaming wavesSmooth pink, bright sun reflecting overblue, foaming waves crashing againsthard, rough rocks with dove perching
Shiloh Albrechts4th grade, Sonora Elementary
The Assuaging
of the Waters,
1840, John
Martin. Museum
purchase,
Whitney Warren,
Jr. Fund.
D E E P B L U E S
Swishing water against the hard rockCrashing, exploding with great forceBig waves like the sunset The light reflection off the watermakes it look like another world
Dylan Crist4th grade, Ocean Shore School
Waves crashing upon the rocksA dove looks for things to doA crow hunts for food Calm skiesWhispering pink clouds
Shawn Camarao5th grade, Jefferson Elementary
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 4 6
Let the light shine on meLet the clouds capture sunlight to make me radiantLet the light make the water shimmer with joyLet a light rain come to make my hills greenLet me be beautiful again.
Alex Higueras8th grade, St. Brendan Elementary
River View of Nijmegen
with the Valkhof, 1648,
Salomon van Ruysdael.
Gift of the Samuel H.
Kress Foundation.
4 7 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
The beautiful sight makes me want to never leaveI can not take me eyes off the beauty I can not blinkI can not move I can see a full street of houses, a harbor, a churchAll are beautifulIf I take my eye off the sightI’ll be sad forever and ever
Alex Lee4th grade, Stuart Hall for Boys
The Singel,
Amsterdam,
1697, Gerrit
Berckheyde.
Mildred Anna
Williams
Collection.
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 4 8
The silver shiny vase blinds me with its beauty. The smell of the pink roses is delightful. The orange butterflies are calling for me. The blue ribbon is silky smooth as it touches my hand. The purple flowers are gentle with grace.
Karianne Lew5th grade, Cabrillo Elementary
Flowers in a
Silver Vase, n.d.,
Willem van Aelst.
Gift of Dr. and
Mrs. Hermann
Schuelein.
I feel jolly.Hot pink roses drop onto
the floor.A golden sunflower shines
in the darkroom.A butterfly seems to find a
way into the room.It starts sipping nectar.I see myself touching the
soft silky petals.
Joanna Bustamante4th grade, GuadalupeElementary
4 9 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
You must feel the love of adaughter
The pull on your heart whenshe walks in a room
A feel of hopelessness whenshe is sad
Admiration and awe of herYou must feel the hate of a
daughterThe pain in your soulThe heat in your cheeksThen you can truly paint our
relationship
Kaija Cummings7th grade, Kittredge School
La Comtesse de Morel-Vindé
and Her Daughter, 1799,
Baron François-Pascal-Simon
Gérard. Museum purchase,
Mildred Anna Williams
Collection and William H. Noble
Bequest Fund.
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 5 0
sun peeping through the treesdark green all overwind whistling through the treesI wish I could help a thousandtrees grow higher, higher.
Casey Sully4th grade, Windrush Elementary
Forest of Fontainebleau,
1867, Virgile Narcisse Diaz
de la Peña. Gift of David
and Jeanne Carlson.
5 1 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
The sun glimmers through the treesThe wind blows softly as I
slowly walk through the forestAs I step forward I hear the colorful leaves
crunching under my feetThe leaves blow off the treesI stop walking. It is silent.
Kaia Morrow4th grade, Marin School
All around me are colorsAll different in a wayIt is so quiet I think I will stay foreverI like to hear the pitter patter of the deer’s hoovesand the feelingof a dewy morning
Alex Rogers4th grade, Clarendon Elementary
To paint the dark forestyou need trees that never end and leaves of apple-red and ever darkening orange. The branches must be gnarledand the sunlight must be barely seen.It’s always sad and gloomy.
Max Jacobs5th grade, Rooftop Elementary
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 5 2
SadGreat midnight blackWhat a smooth brownI feel the sadness of the horsesI can see sadnessNice marine skyI wish I could help themI need joy for themNo animal wants to go to warStamping into war
Sebastain O. Lewis4th grade, William deAvila Elementary
At the Fountain,
n.d., Adolph
Schreyer. Jacob
Stern Family
Loan Collection.
5 3 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
T H E S I L E N T C O T T A G E
Brightness shines through the airWatermelon trees sway through the wind The silver breeze cottage is silent and stillThe wind howls to me as if it were a wolf The sky sings to me The Shelter on Montmarte is silent and still
Amy Lee5th grade, Meadows Elementary
Shelter on Montmartre,
ca. 1886, Vincent van
Gogh. Bequest of
Frederick J. Hellman.
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 5 4
Glittering snow, sparkling plainsThe cool flowing air doesn’t hear meSad trees, dancing windSky full of feathersA blanket has covered everything
Dario Sotskova5th grade, Foster City Elementary
Snow Scene at
Eragny, ca. 1884,
Camille Pissarro.
Gift of Renée M.
Bransten.
5 5 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
HappyThe blue ripples gentlyThere is utter calm except for the scratch of my penI want to toss pebbles across the poolThe lilies invite me inI accept, I accept.
Meghna Dholakia5th grade, Ohlone Elementary
Water Lillies, ca.
1914-1917, Claude
Monet. Mildred Anna
Williams Collection.
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 5 6
Flowers before a Window, 1789, Jan-Frans van Dael. Mildred Anna Williams Collection.
5 7 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Paint me the table of shine from the windowPaint me silk petals oflife and beautyPaint me the beauty ofthe outside of an open windowPaint me where you see me looking my best Paint me the light breezeblowing gently on my colorsPaint me the bright colorsthat match the sunseton a garden which rained from a rainbow
Rita Tam5th grade, R. L. Stevenson Elementary
Breeze peeking through a windowRainbow of flowers bending, stretching, standing tall, explodingSweet fragrance in the airLadybug resting, thinking...At the end, a treasure of four eggsnestled in a nest
Carlo Parra4th grade, Vallemar School
I see the nature and life of everything around me.I hear the calm whisper of the river beside me.I have the urge to touch the soft velvet petals
of the bright flowers.I can taste the cool wind coming from
the high mountains.I love the flowers before my window.
Yvonne Lirette5th grade, St. Isabella Elementary
Forest Interior, ca.
1898-1899, Paul
Cézanne. Mildred Anna
Williams Collection.
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 5 8
5 9 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
I am the tree you see and paint. The forest of minty pine. The howling wind that flows into a deep sleep.The swaying branches of shade. The jagged rocks of fear.I am the forest of beauty.
Emma Cornwell5th grade, Rooftop Elementary
To paint this picture you must feel the breezeblowing against the trees
To paint this picture you must see the misty blueliving in the sky
To paint this picture you must see the tree branchesbend against the wind
To paint this picture you must look how the grassin the ground moves like waves.
Kevin Fan5th grade, R. L. Stevenson Elementary
Rocky terrainTall strong graceful trees spring out of hard packed dark orange earthSmooth colorful rocks invite me to restI lie in the dark sunlight and feel protectedI reach out and touch the treeThe bark is smooth and warmI hear birds singing in the distanceBut where I am it is quiet
Josselyn Butler8th grade, Marin Home Educational Cooperative
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 6 0
Grand Canal,
Venice, 1908,
Claude Monet. Gift
of Osgood Hooker.
6 1 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
H O W T O D R A W A T E M P L E
First you glide through the calm rainbow of the still waters and before you isa palace of wonders. As you go by the purple gleams at you. The cool colored flag pole guides you to a sanctuary of romance. The sky is happy and bright emerald and sapphireand it’s like heaven so your spirit is freeas you glide through the water of the rainbow.
Cole Kromer5th grade, Jefferson Elementary
I appreciate your vaguenessYour flowing shy blue green glowYour sad sky blueYour humble violetYour soft playful pinkI paddle slowly through your
ever changing reflective watersAnd frolic quickly through your
ever winding hallsI slowly scale your cream, smooth dome
and accept your ever growing brilliance
Gabriel Grossman5th grade, Old Mill Elementary
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 6 2
I see a mangled knight in shining armorSharp spikes and twisted metalappear to have no shapeThe sky, off whitehas no beginning and no endTraces of red show some form of life.
Miguel Herrera5th grade, St. John’s Elementary
From One Night
to Another, 1947,
Yves Tanguy.
Mildred Anna
Williams Collection.
A cold sheet of steela deep sleepfiery coldnessa piercing stingdarknesscold foga plain state of feara never ending evileverlasting feartrapped in a deep slumberof nightmaresa cold deep ocean of steel
Andrew Miller4th grade, Ohlone Elementary
6 3 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
MayhemSwirling rainbowsReality is chiming her wordsAs I touch the cold skull death frowns upon meDark magic
Julianne Grauel6th grade, Crystal Springs Upland
Still life with Skull,
Leeks and Pitcher,
1945, Pablo Picasso.
Museum purchase,
Whitney Warren Jr.
Fund, in memory of
Mrs. Adolph B.
Spreckels, Grover A
Magnin Bequest
Fund, Roscoe and
Margaret Oakes
Income Fund, and
Bequest of Mr. and
Mrs. Frederick J.
Hellman by
exchange.
I hear its voice ringing in my earsI feel inside the picturein a world of inky black darknessI hear it wail. My heart poundsIt screams, I yellSorrow pounds through my veinsIt speaks to me with brilliance, with beautyI smell the fresh scent of bloodslowly oozing from itIt feels pained and filled with woeI feel death run through its heartAll hope goneI hear its voice
Keith Berquist4th grade, Stuart Hall for Boys
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 6 4
Conjunction boiling through out the streetsThe sound of horns beeping repeatedlyThe voice of a great opera starhowling in the cold nights breezeBuildings shooting up out of the groundjust like the rising of the sun upon the horizonThe gleaming glow of the midnight glaring downon the sidewalk and the endless chirping of crickets through out the night
Andrew Steier5th grade, Brandeis-Hillel Day
Paris Opera, 1924, Oskar Kokoschka. Bequest of Mrs. Ruth Haas Lilienthal.
RushedBlurred
like looking at the worldwith teary eyes
Deep graysand purple tints of the sky
Call for a storm
Katie Brigham5th grade, Park Elementary
6 5 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Who is this woman?Who dares to place her foot in my sacred watersShe is lustful in her sensuous beautyShe ponders her illustrious figurePoised upon the scent of my bodyShe is part of the oceanShe is part of the seaThe blue depths of my scenerylulls her closer into my graspShe is thinking about what is beneath my dark blue cover
Jonathan Myers11th grade, Museum Ambassador Program
Dorothy
Spreckels
Munn, 1942,
Salvador Dali.
Gift of Mrs.
Charles A.
Munn.
What does the cloud covered angel stare at?Does she not know a world of fantasy lies behind?Can the sky’s magnificent color shine a light towards the magic that is beyond what she stares at?
Has the shine of the water you lay inguided you to a new place?Does the ocean blue’s calmness relax you?
What does the cloud covered angel stare at?Could it be love or the lover she sought?
Jamal Fahim8th grade, Kittredge School
E U R O P E A N P A I N T I N G S ■ 6 6
The water laps against the shoreLaughter comes from everywhereChildren’s feet sink in the wet sandI feel the ocean’s heart beat against my leg
Katarina Berger5th grade, Havens Elementary
On the Beach, 1908,
Joaquin Sorolla y
Bastida. Gift of Archer
M. Huntington.
6 7 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Art of Africa,Oceania,and theAmericas
A R T O F A F R I C A , O C E A N I A , A N D T H E A M E R I C A S ■ 6 8
Stela, A.D. 761,
Maya. Museum
purchase,
Phyllis Wattis
Purchase Fund.
Serpents glide through tunnels
Gods give off stares and gray skies turn black.
Garrett Roseman5th grade, Park Elementary
ancient figures danceIn patterns, bones rattle
violently
6 9 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Eben Dower11th grade, Leadership High School
As she’sWalking through her crowd of people
FearlessDancingwith noEmbarrassment
Showing all who she is. Feeling like a Goddess With a deadly serpent around her neck
With fiery eyesShe looks like stone
yet so powerful.
Mark Yeghiazarian5th grade, Foster City Elementary
I come in one form
But I take on many shapes
TH
E S
ER
PE
NT
I am Quetzalcoatl
I am Quetzalcoatl
I am Quetzalcoatl
I am Quetzalcoatl
I rep
rese
nt n
o be
ginn
ings
And
I rep
rese
nt n
o en
ds
You
know
me
as th
e se
rpen
tI k
now
mys
elf a
s lif
e
I rep
rese
ntT
hat e
very
thin
gH
as a
lway
s be
enAn
d w
ill a
lway
s be
A R T O F A F R I C A , O C E A N I A , A N D T H E A M E R I C A S ■ 7 0
E S U E L E G B A
I am the force and spirit thatCauses you to cry, love, hate, yearnSmile, beg and createI am thunderI am rainI am earthI am fireI am nothing without the needs ofMen, yet I rule your mind andYour heart
You are powerYou are graceYou are the love I needYet you are the hate that inspiresYou create, you destroyFor you are ruled by me and IAm ruled by you. You created meBut I created you.
Carlton Blackman11th grade, Leadership High School
Figure in Honor
of Esu Elegba,
18th or 19th
century, Nigeria.
Museum
purchase,
Salinger Fund.
7 1 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Masterworksof New Guinea Art:
Selections from theMarcia and John
Friede Collection
M A S T E R W O R K S O F N E W G U I N E A A R T ■ 7 2
I T H A N K Y O U
Your big wise eyes staring down at me as though telling me I’m welcome into your hut.I say thank you for welcoming me in.You watch me as I enter the door to your enchanted palace.I thank you again for letting me in.
Brenna Hagerty4th grade, Sonora Elementary
Gable Mask from a
Ceremonial House,
20th century.
Museum purchase,
Phyllis Wattis
Purchase Fund.
Female figure looking down on all individuals.The woman figure,the welcoming figure.Blessing all who pass her.
Imani Bibbs5th grade,Jefferson Elementary
7 3 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Shell of oceanSea within Red with anger Teeth of pearlSea tortoise is on your face Crazy with cassowary feathersDance for deathThe universe comes for you
Mettlin Hunter4th grade, Ocean Shore School
Mortuary Mask
with Composite
Materials, 19th
century. Gift of
Marcia and
John Friede.
P O R T A L T O T H E S P I R I T S
I carry your life upon my shouldersI bare the might of death upon my backMy power is unmatchedFor I am the portal to the spirit world
Jordan Benjamin5th grade, Alamo Elementary
M A S T E R W O R K S O F N E W G U I N E A A R T ■ 7 4
Why are you gaunt and your features distorted
Your blank eyes can’t see but your facetells a story
Why is your tangled and matted hairnot brushed
You radiate power with unbelievableforce
Why are your teeth plastered in a toothy grinwhen you give off the feelingyou’re sad
You once represented greatness butNow you are a spectacle to
all eyesWhy, why?
Lexi Kopf6th grade, Sonora Elementary
I float alone looking through the glass that keeps me captiveI float alone looking through the cloud of peopleWho are you?
Kit Mannion5th grade, Rooftop Elementary
Inspired by
Large Funerary Mask, 19th century.
Gift of Marcia and John Friede.
7 5 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Portrait Head,
19th century. Gift
of Marcia and
John Friede.
Your ancient lips tell me storiesYour closed eyes shut out all secretsYet when you open themancient secrets and battlesand stories unknowncome swirling out like tidal wavesHave you been many placesand seen many things?What is life and death?You seem to know no evilI see only good and sadnessin your ancient face
Sophia Perry4th grade, Ohlone Elementary
M A S T E R W O R K S O F N E W G U I N E A A R T ■ 7 6
Hook Figure
(yipwon),
19th century.
Museum
purchase,
Phyllis Wattis
Purchase
Fund.
Why do you stare?Where am I, my rough woodenbody feels lost and lonelyFirst and alone in an endless worldof loss and sorrowI stand aloneclosing my frightened eyesI stand alone
Chloe Miller4th grade, Clarendon Elementary
7 7 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Inspired by
Large Ancestor Pole (bisj), 19th-20th century.
Museum purchase, Phyllis Wattis Purchase Fund.
All three of you stacked one on top of the otherSo tall it looks as if you could tip overThe carvings swirling up your bodyYour faces looking stern and stillSo balanced it almost seems you can do anythingYour ancestors whispering slowly down to youWith your perfect feet and bent legsit seems you’re alive
Laura Walley4th grade, Vallemar School
Inspired by
Shield with Swirling Faces, 19th century.
Lent by Marcia and John Friede.
I am your protector, your guideI am mighty and powerfulYet, I need your help to lift meMy fire eyes see right through men’s mightThe dazzling colors bring them to a haze in battleI am strong but still tearful when people get killed
Emily Vuong5th grade, Alamo Elementary
M A S T E R W O R K S O F N E W G U I N E A A R T ■ 7 8
Let me play my songCome, come, play me, bang me Call the spirits of your landCome, come, tap me, rub mePlay my beautiful, loud musicCome, come, hit me, move me Let me do the job I was brought here to doCome, come play me, bang me, tap me, rub me, hit me, Move me, let me play my song
Alana Ayasse5th grade, H. J. Kaiser Elementary
Bang, bang oh how does it feel?I feel the spirit of each man come and bang on me, call for others.Bang, bang oh how does it feel?Shapes swirling describing a story making pictures.Bang, bang oh how does it feel?Deep dark orange and brown snake skinslithering all over.Bang, bang oh how does it feel?Patterns moving slowly asking for other spirits to come.
Alyssa Miller5th grade, Brandeis-Hillel Day
How does the reptile skin make thatthundering noise?How can anyone make such a beautifulblack body and carve the amazing designs into you?Your gorgeous solid black body and your beautiful thundering noise makes me want to be you.Ooh, thundering black drum.
Michael Inonye4th grade, Clarendon Elementary
Inspired by
Drum with Large
Face, 19th century.
Lent by Marcia and
John Friede.
7 9 ■ P O E T S I N T H E G A L L E R I E S
Inspired by
Large Slit Gong,
19th-20th century.
Gift of Marcia
and John Friede.
Y O U R S O U N D
Will you be there to make a callWill your hollow body be able to save meSound your sound though call my nameWill you still stand mighty and deepOr will your sound be lost forever.
Avery Harrison5th grade, Havens Elementary
Inspired by
Flute Stopper with Figure,
19th century. Gift of Marcia
and John Friede.
A man that is very old and has a very long beard. The man has the sound of softness and never to be heard. His knees are very sharp and can never be harmed.He once had hope but never again.
Hoang Chau Truong5th grade, Cabrillo Elementary
A B O U T T H E P O E T ■ 8 0
D E V O R A H M A J O R is currently PoetLaureate of San Francisco. In addition tobeing a poet she is a performer, lecturer, fic-tion and creative non-fiction writer, and edi-tor. A trained actress and former dancer, sheapproaches poetry as both a written and per-forming art. In May 2002 Curbstone Pressreleased her second novel (which includespoetry), Brown Glass Windows, and in thefall of 2002 Creative Arts Books, Inc.,released her second solo book of poetry, withmore than tongue. She is the recipient of a2002 California Arts Council Spoken WordLiterary Arts Fellowship. This summerDaughters of Yam (a poetry performancegroup with Opal Palmer Adisa) released ajazz poetry CD, The Tongue is a Drum,under Irresistible/Revolutionary Records andopened a multi-media website, www.daugh-tersofyam.com. In early 2003 City Lights willrelease another book of ms. major’s poetry,where river meets ocean. In September of1995 her first novel, An Open Weave, award-ed the First Novelist Award by the BlackCaucus of the American Library Association,was released by Seal Press. In March of1996, Curbstone Press released her first solobook of poetry, street smarts, awarded thePEN Oakland 1996 Josephine Miles Award
for Excellence in Literature. Ms. major’spoems, short stories, and essays have beenpublished in a number of periodicals andanthologies. She has also written two “Startto Finish” history books for young people:Rosa Parks: Freedom Fighter and FrederickDouglas: A Hero for All Times (1999).
devorah major performs solo, with jazzmusicians, and as a part of Daughters of Yamwith Opal Palmer Adisa. Last year her per-formances included an International PoetryFestival in Naples, Italy. She was part of theYMCA’s Writer’s Voice series and a featuredperformer at University of California, SantaBarbara. In 1999 she was featured in SanDiego’s Border Voices Poetry Festival andpart of the performance festival Afro Solo VI.She has also shared her work on radio andtelevision stations in Northern and SouthernCalifornia, Southern Connecticut, andAtlanta, Georgia. In 2002 she performed inNew York City at the New School, in theDodge Poetry Festival, at the University ofConnecticut, and in a host of bookstores inNorthern California, Atlanta, Phoenix, NewYork, and Southern Connecticut.
Ms. major teaches and performs aspoet-in-residence in a number of museum,community, and school settings.
A B O U T T H E P O E T : D E V O R A H M A J O R