About two weeks ago I visited Chicago’s NEW American Writers Museum, with a couple of my Picture Book Illustration Students. They are featured by Paul O. Zelinsky’s tree mural, that’s in the Children’s gallery. In another gallery called American Voices, you’ll find images of all different writer’s and poets with turning kiosks below them having their bio and bits of their writing. I have two of them featured here, Langston Hughes and Margaret Wise Brown. There’s also a changing exhibit gallery that had Palm: All Awake in the Darkness, An immersive installation inspired by the life and poetry of W.S. Merlin. It was filled with tropical plants, poetry books and an interactive poem. The last two images are from galleries towards the end of the museum. Wonderful museum and one I definitely will revisit.
I’ve written a sonnet to share that reflects on our coming 4th of July holiday and the current times. My poem serendipitously fits well with Langston Hughes’ poem above, Let America Be America Again.
AMERICA SET ASIDE YOUR PETTY STRIFE!
America show me your colors true
Let me cradle again my care for all,
Relinquish my disdain red, white and blue
In this toiled land of brave and free that bawl.
Cease your fears, your isolation theories,
Liberty–justice this Fourth of July,
Open your heart relieve all your wearies
One rainbow country under one small sky.
But, we have one world to share and repair,
One multi-colored freedom, not false-truths squad
Begin Americans at home–be fair
Sing indivisible truths here and abroad.
Raise high that child that cries and hungers life,
World’s future calls, set aside your petty strife!
© 2017 Michelle Kogan
Diane Mayr is hosting the Poetry Roundup, at Random Noodling, thanks Diane!
Wishing all a celebratory and Happy 4th!
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
Looks like a wonderful place. Two writers I admire greatly. I like your inspirational call. I wish we could set aside the hate and fear.
Thanks Brenda, the movement continues to grow . . .
Well said! Your poem calls us all to rise up and join together. So many great people have paved the way to liberty for all. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Kiesha, we owe it to all those before us and for our future children to keep our liberty alive!
“Raise high that child that cries and hungers life” If only we kept the child in the forefront, we would be better people, and we’d all be better off. Thanks for the poem and the introduction to the Writers Museum–one more reason to plan a trip to Chicago!
Thanks Diane, Yes come you are all invited!
Who knew about this museum?! Another reason to visit Chicago. Oh, and for “Chicago Mix” popcorn, of course!
Hi Christie, of course the popcorn, but don’t miss this museum, its truly a keeper!
A museum new to me among so many wonderful ones in Chicago. I’d love to visit! Your poem does make a parallel with Hughes, and that’s sad because of the time difference. Love “One rainbow country under one small sky.” Struggles continue! Thanks, Michelle!
Hi Linda, thanks! And here’s more for the struggle–Our Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events just installed Scott Reeder’s “REAL FAKE” sculpture directly across the street from Trump Towers, read about it here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-real-fake-trump-tower-0628-chicago-inc-20170627-story.html
I am making a list of must see museums with Presidential Libraries to visit when I retire. This is now on the list. And your sonnet speaks to me. It should so be about the world we are creating for children.
Thanks Jone, Children are our future!
That’s it…..I’m going to Chicago! I’ve never been but this museum looks like it’s not only interesting but full of prompts! Wonderful job on the poem that came out of your visit. Happy Fourth of July to you too! I hope you enjoy a day of feasting and fete-ing.
Thanks Linda, If you and all else who are interested visit you’ll have to give me a call. Happy 4th to you too!
What an incredible space – how inspiring to be surrounded by so much history! Yet another reason to put Chicago on my must-visit list! 🙂
We should do a swap, Jane, cause I definitely want to get to Canada!
Well I do live in the most beautiful part of the country, if I do say so myself!! 😉
I did not know about this museum–will have to check it out on our next trip to Chicago!
Sounds like a plan, thanks for stopping by Buffy!
We were visiting Chicago yearly when my daughter was in school there. Sure wish we had seen this museum. I love the inspiration you have taken away. Yes, we should set aside our strife, but I’m afraid that will not happen for a while. One can hope!
Hi Margaret, the Museum just opened last month, it’s brand new. I think Hope is important too, especially now, while we are waiting.
The museum looks wonderful. I wonder if I can justify a trip to Chicago just to visit! It’s just a six hour drive. That Langston Hughes poem certainly speaks to today as well as to his own time, as does your poem. I hope we are able to overcome the current strive.
Hi Kay, Chicago’s a beautiful place to visit, but especially sparkling in summer and there’s so much to do here. I think regarding our current state of affairs, “somethings got to give,” eventually, it’s just hared waiting.
Thanks for the peek at the new museum, and for your rousing poem. Things look pretty dismal in our country right now, but we must not lose hope. Happy Independence Day weekend to you!
Yes I agree Jama, best to stay focused and positively fight for our values, thanks and Happy 4th to you too!
What a neat place, Michelle. I had no idea Margaret Wise Brown died at only 42 years! She certainly accomplished a lot during those years.
I love the hopeful note on which you end your powerful poem (in the last 2 lines). Well expressed.
Hi Violet, yes that’s sad, what a brief life she had but look at all she did in her short time here, amazing, thanks!
You make beautiful use of the sonnet form, Michelle – and those last two lines are perfection. Also, I spy a koala in the reading tree… :P)
Hi Kat, thanks! And yes there are many wonderful critters in that tree of books to explore.
This museum looks awesome! Sigh on your sonnet. Love the thoughts it shares, especially this phrase: One rainbow country under one small sky. Beautiful!
Thanks Laura, it is awesome and inspiring too!
We are headed for Chicago in a couple of weeks and this is now on the to-do-and-see list! Thanks! Love your sonnet, especially that last couplet. Yes.
Thanks Mary Lee, Hope you have a wonderful time while in our fair city, summer is special here, and there’s so much to do!
What a wonderful museum to visit, Michelle. Your sonnet and Hughes’s quote are just what I needed to read for the 4th of July. You shared a truth with all of us, “But, we have one world to share and repair…”
BTW, your Summer Poetry swap poem that you created for Brenda is a wonderful mix of language and art. May I capture that for the summer gallery?