I have a dear friend in the frozen north who is a wonderful poet. Yesterday, the two of us "discovered" Anne Porter's poetry on the Writer's Almanac website. (Incidentally, today's featured poet over there is Ted Kooser, another one of our favorites!) Porter's poetry is simple and beautiful. It was also interesting to learn that her husband was the painter Fairfield Porter, and her brother-in-law was Eliot Porter.
When I was 11, my parents gave me a copy of Eliot Porter's In Wildness is the Preservation of the World. To say that this book had an influence on me would be an understatement. I still have my treasured copy, and pull it out from time to time. It is fading, but retains its beauty. I think his photographic vision shaped my love of nature, conservation, and my own artistic viewpoint.
It is interesting how often poetry and art seem to intersect, at least in my wanderings.
You have been busy on here! Such nice work you do, very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteWe are so blessed to be able to discover poets like Anne Porter and Ted Kooser together.....I am off to see if Eliot Porter’s books is still available!
Thank you, Diana! I saw a new printing of the book at the bookstore a few months ago. It was wrapped up, so I can't vouch for that particular edition.
DeleteIt is amazing how beautiful print photography seems, too, after you get used to seeing digital. I think that we have lost some of the artistic beauty. But then, I am a fan of those old panoramic cameras...
Thank you for exploring poetry with me! We are blessed! :)