Last month I attended a book launch for my friend Cheryl Hellner, a gifted poet and teacher. It struck me as a beautifully illustrated story book for children. But Cheryl, who has long haunted children’s bookstores for teachable stories, told us that a picture book is illuminated not simply illustrated. The artist’s work fleshes out the story, giving it depth and added meaning.
At the event, Cheryl asked us to think about the books we remembered being read to us as children. Many classics were mentioned, all of which rang a bell with me but none of which I remember hearing as a child. There was only one that sprang to my mind—and I remember it clearly: Egermeier's Bible Story Book. I particularly remember the pictures, some of which were just plain scary in their somber black and white reproductions. When I got home, I looked it up online and there it was. I recognized the cover immediately. It had to have been the 1939 edition (years before I was born let me add). Reader, I ordered it.
As I await the arrival of my bible story book and the memories it will bring to mind, I offer two of my takeaways from Cheryl’s presentation of Sing Up the Earth! First, I was reminded that illumination is what I’ve always wanted for my own poetry collections, especially the last two. In fact I used that very word in writing about the “poetry on canvas” that I chose for Heresies to Live By. The second is a fresh reminder that picture books are not just for kids. Given that, you may ask what has stayed with me after reading Cheryl’s story of a child, a Grandpa, a tragic fire and the re-creation of a clay flute. It’s this: Grandpa told me that artists must work and not be afraid to let things fall apart, take a new shape.
This last year was a hard one for me. Things fell apart. But now it’s time to take up the work that is mine to do and let that work take whatever shape it will.