Friday, March 30, 2012

Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by My Juicy Little Universe.

My selection is the classic "Hailstones and Halibut Bones" by Mary O'Neill with illustrations by John Wallner.


Originally published in 1961, O'Neill's book has become a classic treasured for her rich descriptions of colors described in terms of feelings, meanings, and impressions related to our many senses beyond the visual.

Here are the last few lines from her poem on purple:

                                                                    The purple feeling
                                                                    Is rather put-out
                                                                    The purple look
                                                                    Is a definite pout.
                                                                    But the purple sound
                                                                    Is the loveliest thing
                                                                    It's a violet opening
                                                                    In the spring.

Wallner's paintings provide a lovely interpretation of the text.

1 comment:

GatheringBooks said...

Hi there dearest Janet. This happens to be one of my favorite books of all times. My copy of this book is as worn out, I believe, as Fleischman's Poems for Two Voices. Thank you for reminding me of this one. Will revisit my book tomorrow.

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