"Vintage" ~ Poem/Photo Collaboration by Cristina M. R. Norcross and Des Hanie

I had the great pleasure of coming across this intriguing photo by artist, Des Hanie, while posting on the ‪#‎BeOtherwise‬ thread of the Alphaeon Facebook page. We connected, when I reached out to say how much I would love to write a poem for her brilliant photo of this old, abandoned house in Virginia. I wrote the poem, "Vintage," to accompany her photo, and I will always be thankful for the stories this house whispered to me about age, strength, and beauty. Hope you enjoy this collaboration, too.

photo credit: Des Hanie

VINTAGE
(Inspired by the photography of Des Hanie)

One day we will all cave in.
Windows drawn –
rooftop bent –
foundation bow-legged.
Joints creaking
from the slightest howl of wind –
the structure still holds.
Our center core stands –
lungs filled to capacity –
chest emboldened
by a strength never known before.

There is song in our bones.
It is the length of our stance,
the broad sweeping lines of curves,
and proud jawline.
The eyes look out from weathered floorboards
and delicate hands.
Each vein speaks of the years
pulsating through our lives,
and we sit with the silence of now.
Remembering hymns –
remembering the body’s
movement in space –
knowing that time’s passage
is just our vintage gaining value –
our red velvet density
shifting in the light.

Poem by Cristina M. R. Norcross
Photo by Des Hanie
Copyright 2015

Poetry Workshop with Author Cristina M. R. Norcross January 16, 2016

Using Poetry Exercises to Enhance the Beauty and Atmosphere of Prose Writing

with Cristina Norcross

January 16, 2016

(Registration Deadline: Mon, Jan 11) 

9:30 am – noon

Red Oak Writing ~ Marian Center for NonProfits #205

3195 S Superior St, Milwaukee

Poetry transports us to illuminating worlds, which we never knew existed, and convinces us to stay there with enticing sights, sounds, and textures. In this workshop, we will read a few sample passages from novels by writers who have a strong poetic voice. We will identify why each writer’s use of language and/or technique makes the narrative more evocative or compelling.

The larger portion of the session will be comprised of a series of short poetry writing prompts, followed by a Roundtable-style sharing and discussion period. Writing exercises will focus on word choice, imagery, and how to pinpoint your purpose in as few words as possible. Writers will work both solo and in groups, to help generate ideas and share thoughts on why the poetic voice helps to make a story come alive.

(photo credit: Perren Photography)

Cristina M. R. Norcross is the author of 5 poetry collections including, most recently, The Lava Storyteller (2013) and Living Nature’s Moments: A Conversation Between Poetry and Photography (2014) with co-author, Patricia Bashford. Her works appear in print and online in North American and international journals, such as The Toronto Quarterly, Red Cedar, The Moon Magazine, Your Daily Poem, Lime Hawk, The Poetry Storehouse, The Avocet, and Right Hand Pointing. Cristina’s work also appears in numerous print anthologies. She is the managing editor of the online poetry journal, Blue Heron Review (www.blueheronreview.com). Cristina is one of the co-organizers of Random Acts of Poetry and Art Day (February 20^th). Find out more about this author at: www.firkinfiction.com.