Philadelphia Magic Gardens!

On Friday, I was called off of work and was looking for something fulfilling to do, when I came across an email from the Philadelphia Magic Gardens. I discovered this amazing creative compound on a walking exploration I was doing of my new city, about 6 months ago. Mind-blowingly talented artist, Isaiah Zagar is a mosaic muralist who alongside his wife Julia, has dedicated his life to grand public art. He was born in Philly, raised in Brooklyn, which immediately I think creates a pretty bad ass and creative east coaster. He acquired a B.F.A. in Painting and Graphics from the Pratt Institute in New York City, travelled the world creating and learning and with wife Julia, spent 3 years in Peru serving in the Peace Corps. After many world-wide accolades and completed commissioned pieces, the  creative couple settled in Philadelphia with a mission to share their world discoveries of art and life with this city of cheesesteaks and Phillies fans. What they created is jaw-dropping. As you walk along South street heading toward Old City, your curiosity is tantalized as your eye is drawn to the light-catching mirrored mosaics that are scattered along the sides of churches, Jamaican restaurants and run down buildings. The gorgeous mosaics light up the city and beckon you to follow. You do of course follow because the unique beauty is unlike anything else you have seen in Philly. After about 7 blocks, your curiosity peaked, you stand at the gates of The Philadelphia Magic Gardens and you can't believe your eyes. Handmade mirror and tile mosaics, bicycle wheels, colored glass bottles, toys and trash create a maze of sculpture that is so inspiring and satisfying, you can't wait to be visually overwhelmed. In addition to the half block outside sculpture garden, there is also an inside gallery that houses Zagar's smaller pieces and also the works of other artists within a similar medium. On Friday, I was fortunate enough to be able to see the opening night of an installation called Imaginings From Nature by local artist Katia McGuirk. I was smitten with her whimsical work, I have a weird thing for bats, so I was hooked immediately when I saw them. I also loved her sexy smoking toad, and her sparkling peacock sculpture of course. Here are some photos of Katia McGuirk's work that I founds most amazing. I also came across this lovely quote from one of Katia's peers explaining his relationship with clay:

"Clay moves at every slightest touch. It moves in the sun, in the air, in the fire, till you put the fire out. Let it move. Clay lives." - Henry Chapman Mercer

If you ever come to Philly, you have to check this place out! Here are a few pictures that I took when Billy and I went in the winter. Oddly enough, my sister who had never heard of this place before, saw it online and bought me a year-long pass for Christmas. Thanks Kaleigh!

http://www.phillymagicgardens.org/

Have a great day!

"Saccharine" a poem by Jess Coffman

Good morning! 

I wrote this poem after being inspired by a story that was told to me by a girl that I worked with last summer. This girl, had the most joyful childlike sweetness I have ever seen in an adult, but as soon as she opened her mouth to sing,  you knew she was a woman. She has this voice, like a force that barrels out of her with a mission to capture your attention, and make you hear what is inside beyond the sweetness. One day I listened beyond the sweetness and wrote this. 

Saccharine

Grown-up Saccharine birthday girl,

With brightest smile and chocolate curl;

Constructs her pointy birthday hat,

Then over pancakes we did chat.

Her eyes took on a distant look,

As she recalled a coloring book.

Her mother sent her off to play,

On a distant island far away.

She colored tight and sung out loud.

Her strong voice made her mother proud.

And so she fetched ripe Saccharine,

To glean the talent of her teen.

She gave her gorgeous clothes to wear,

And made her dye her skin and hair.

Her mother always wanted more.

No imperfection could she ignore.

The only time her mother praised,

Was when a crowd would be amazed.

When Saccharine’s voice filled their ears,

It wrapped them up and eased their fears.

Her mother only let her sing,

In the hopes of all the money she’d bring.

After many years of sheltered song,

She decided not to play along.

One rebellious fated night,

Saccharine closed her full lips tight.

She vowed to never sing until,

She chose to, of her own free will.

Her mother screamed and cried with threat,

She lied and bribed her with a pet.

But Saccharine remained truly steadfast,

Though her mother’s cruelty was aghast.

Until another fated night,

When Saccharine could no longer fight.

She packed her bags and savings too,

And headed toward the ocean blue.

As the very last star whispered goodbye,

She stood in awe of the morning sky.

The wet sand welcomed every toe,

And the seagulls seemed to shout “Hello!”

The palm trees beckoned her to the shore.

The cold sea promised to always adore.

This broke the silence of her song.

And she sang to the sea free and strong.

And everyday she sings at dawn,

To the patient fisherman and passing prawn.

Today her birthday wish is for me,

To release my sorrow to the sea.

And so I will go,

Because I know,

The Joy of my friend Saccharine

Is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. 

JESS COFFMAN

"The Voice of God" a poem by Louis I. Newman and "Vessel" a poem by Jess Coffman

The Voice of God

I sought to hear the voice of God,
    And climbed the topmost steeple.
But God declared: "Go down again,
    I dwell among the people."

LOUIS I. NEWMAN

I read "The Voice of God" last week and I loved it instantly. I love the simplicity and humility of the theme, and it happens to be something that I believe wholeheartedly. I believe that we all have the ability to connect with our Creator, through other people in our lives. Those people whether stranger or friend, act as reflections of our Creator all of the time. There are definitely times in my life when I recognized someone else choosing a kinder,  more helpful, more patient or more understanding choice than my own, and felt like I was being shown a more Godly path. Of course, there are exact opposite scenarios to the ones that I am exploring, but I would like to simply focus on the good for today. It is this idea of each of us being a vessel for our Creator's goodness, that has caused me to write the following poem.


Vessel

Make of me a Vessel, for Goodness and Godness,

To illuminate life’s shadows, and celebrate its Oddness.

I patiently wait with my pen on the page,

For a drop of your wisdom, electricity or rage.

Without fight, I will swallow each ounce of Revelation.

I’ll be thankful for every, slight, daily Transformation.

And with the utmost effort to be a funnel for your Creation,

I hope to bring to you a Counter-Culture Congregation:

A crowd who worships Art and consequently the Most High.

For it is God who began the creative discourse,

And God who urges our Unique Reply.

JESS COFFMAN

"Spruce Me Up Ben Franklin!" a poem by Jess Coffman

Happy 4th of July! This is one of my favorite holidays, I love the energy in the air from billions of people excited for the celebration of flag cakes, marching bands, BBQ's and of course fireworks. It is a day when everyone is joyful, forgiving, maybe a little tipsy and playful, I love it. My family and I used to go to a free concert in an outdoor amphitheater where we could bring our own picnic and booze. It is one of my greatest memories of childhood, I actually would love to be there tonight. But I am happy to be in one of the most patriotic cites in the country instead. 

I was speaking with my Dad this morning and he said something about Ben Franklin which reminded me of a poem that I wrote last summer while I was visiting Billy in Philadelphia. I went to a place called City Tavern for a quick drink while I was waiting for his matinee to end. It is exciting for tourists because the servers are dressed in colonial garb and they serve food that is inspired by 18th century early American cuisine like Braised Rabbit and Tavern Lobster Pie. 

They also serve Yards beer which is a local brewery in Philadelphia, which became well known because of its "Ales of the Revolution." These beers include Tavern Spruce Ale, Tavern Ale and Tavern Porter. These beers are based on the original beer recipes that were created by a few of the Founding Fathers. On that fateful July afternoon at City Tavern in Philly, I discovered my favorite beer of all time is the Tavern Spruce Ale. It was inspired by Benjamin Franklin's 18th century ale which used spruce and molasses in its recipe, since barley and hops were not available. Those unique ingredients make it taste like Christmas in a bottle, and I love every single sip of it. I was so inspired by it that I ended up writing a playful poem about the two things that I loved most in that moment, Billy and Beer. 

Spruce Me Up Ben Franklin!

Our History tell a Kisstory,

Of complete and utter Blisstory.

Which was never a Remisstory,

It was quick with love and trust.

Though the future is a Mystery,

I am certain of Thisstory:

We will not be a Dismisstory,

Our love is timeless and robust. 

Cheers! 

Here are the websites for Yards and City Tavern.

http://www.yardsbrewing.com/

http://www.citytavern.com/

"Distant Love" a poem by Jess Coffman

I wrote this poem last summer when my boyfriend and I were struggling while dating long distance, though I am totally an advocate of loving long distance if it means getting a chance to pursue your personal goals. Some may see that as a selfish thing, but I personally think of it as an investment for the future. I know that if I don't go where my career takes me at this point in my life before marriage and children happen, I will not be fulfilled. I think that in that scenario,  it would be easy to blame the people in my life that I felt, held me back. Actually from the very beginning of our relationship, we agreed to remain loyal to each other regardless of our location, and it has worked out really well. At this point about half of our relationship has been apart and though we have found ways to keep things romantic while away, it is still really challenging at times. I wrote this poem as a means to comfort myself, it is meant to be a dialog between the lovers.

Distant Love

Distant Love,

Come to me,

So we can make a memory.

I need your neck to bury in.

I need your touch to enliven my skin.

            Distant Love,

            Hurry Home,

            Let the brooks and buffalo roam.

            I need your love to wrap me tight.

            I need your laugh to enliven tonight.

Distant Love,

I must stay.

We cannot weep for Yesterday.

My journey’s end is coming fast,

Then we can have our adventure at last.

Distant Love,

I will wait.  

And never will I Hesitate.

Today’s gift is once and gone.

Your honeyed words ease, the trudging beyond.

"She Walks In Beauty" and "Beauty is Not Bound"

These are two of my favorite poems that I read in the "Beauty" section of  A Treasury of Poems: A Collection of the World's Most Famous and Familiar Verse compiled by Sarah Anne Stuart.

She Walks in Beauty

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress
Or softly lightens o'er her face,
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek and o'er that brow
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent.

GEORGE GORDON, LORD BYRON

Helpful Vocabulary

Climes - (n.) a region considered with reference to its climate

Aspect -  (n.) 1. a particular part or feature of something,
* a specific way in which something can be considered
* a particular appearance or quality
Synonyms - feature, facet, characteristic/expression, demeanor, ambience

Gaudy - (adj.) extravagantly bright or showy, typically so as to be tasteless

Eloquent - fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing
* clearly expressing or indicating something
Synonyms - articulate, expressive, effective / revealing, significant, indicative

My Interpretation

The line that hit me the most in this poem was "and all that's best of dark and bright, meet in her aspect and her eyes." That hit home for me because the poets were really celebrating the beauty of dark hair and dark eyes, and the idea that dark beauty can be bright and captivating. I also loved that this dark featured beauty is being described as innocent, graceful, simple and happy when so often dark featured woman are portrayed as evil queens or temptresses. I also just loved the line, "the smiles that win." It made me think of the times when a fight with someone you love ends because someone trips accidentally or one person cracks a joke that makes both laugh. And even more simply, all of the positive power that is held in a smile, and how much better you feel when you pass it on to someone else.

Beauty is Not Bound

Give beauty all her right!
She's not to one form tied;
Each shape yields fair delight
Where her perfections bide:
Helen, I grant, might pleasing be,
And Rosamond was as sweet as she.

Some the quick eye commends,
Some swelling lips and red;
Pale looks have many friends,
Through sacred sweetness bred:
Meadows have flowers that pleasures move,
Though roses are the flowers of love.

Free beauty is not bound
To one unmoved clime;
She visits every ground
And favors every time.
Let the old loves with mine compare;
My sovereign is as sweet and fair.

THOMAS CAMPION

Helpful Vocabulary

Fair - (n) 1. gentle, not violent
* just or appropriate in the circumstances
2. light, blond

Bide - (n.) remain or stay somewhere
Synonyms - wait, hold on, hang around

Commend - (v.) praise formally or officially
*present as suitable for approval or acceptance; recommend
2. entrust someone or something to

Sovereign - (n.) 1. supreme ruler; monarch
(adj.) possessing supreme or ultimate power
* fully independent and determining it's own affairs
* very good or effective

My Interpretation

I really love the theme of this poem, right away it opens up with a strong statement "Give beauty all her right!" Thomas Campion is advocating for all of the beauty that is not celebrated because it does not fit a societal mold of that time. He stresses that there is not one form, time period, location or shape that beauty is tied to, it is free and "visits every ground." I love at the very end that he refers to his lady as his "sovereign" or queen essentially. I love how he aggressively defends her beauty and challenges his audience to consider perhaps society's unsung as beautiful too.