Straddle the Turtle

America SCORES* put out a call for art-making to the Milwaukee community: an invitation to choose a poem composed by one of the children in its program and create a work of art inspired by that poem.  I participated because it is a wonderful program for kids.  I love the balance between the mind and body – the physical challenge of the athlete and the mental exercise of the poet.

I chose the poem “Today My Name Is” by Ulysses G. (age 10), because it tugs at my heart.  His words express the pain of growing up and his will to make good choices.  To me, climbing trees represents moving to higher ground for a better view of life. I inscribed the poem around the edges and borders of this 14″ x 14″ oil painting:

Today My Name Is

Today my name is Hurt
I feel like I just fell from a motorcycle
Going 200 mph

I pretend I broke
All the bones in my body

Yesterday my name was Fun
I heard kids shouting with excitement
I found a ramp and a skateboard

Tomorrow my name will be Energetic
I will forget how to be lazy like my brother
I will remember how to climb trees

*The artworks were auction off in a fundraiser so this important work can continue for Milwaukee’s urban youth. America SCORES partners with urban schools to provide a high quality, team-based program that integrates soccer, poetry and service-learning. Here’s more about their program: http://www.americascoresmke.org/

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