Handstitched Bird by Stitch Buffalo Artisans
Photo by Shelby Deck
Find this poem at The Poetry Foundation
It is in the public domain.
Students - Today I was thinking about Emily Dickinson's poem, the one you just read. It is a poem that stays inside of one's heart, a poem you can pull out and hold when you need it.
Today I also wanted to write something, and when I did not know what to write, the words of Emily whispered into my ear. Her words helped to write my own.
Handstitched Birds by Stitch Buffalo Artisans
Photo by Shelby Deck
When you read my poem, you will notice that many of the words are the same words that Emily used, but I have used them in different places and ways. You will also notice that the rhyme scheme and meter of my poem matches Emily's. Her poem helped me write today, in more ways than I feel able to explain.
The other week, I wrote about poems having friends, and I hope that the poem I wrote today, below, might be a good friend for Emily's words. The more poems we know, the more poems will come to our minds when we need them. And every once in a while, a poem we love may inspire us to write a new poem in its honor, to be its pal.
Writing can help us make sense of the world, and it can help us do good, each in our small way. Today I am happy to share that just like last year, I will be offering free shipping on the gorgeous handstitched birds you see above, birds made by refugee artisan women of Stitch Buffalo, living in Buffalo, NY.
Artisans of Stitch Buffalo
Photo by Shelby Deck
And this year, I have something new and lovely to share. Just for us, and just announced today, these artisans have begun making writers notebooks with pen pouches, small notebook covers designed to hold 5" x 8" Moleskine-style notebooks. Each includes a notebook and pen.
Sewn and Handstitched Notebooks by Stitch Buffalo Artisans
Photo by Shelby Deck
In the words of activists Dawne Hoeg and Shelby Deck --
The vision for Stitch Buffalo was conceived with an impulse to unite the communal craft of textile arts with Buffalo’s growing refugee population. Our goals were to: educate individuals in contemporary textile design methods, nourish and honor global textile traditions, provide cross-cultural interaction, providing a supportive social network, stimulate literacy skills, improve financial opportunities, create a community of women supporting women.
Over the two and a half years, Stitch Buffalo has grown from one Congolese woman to more than than 50 women from all over the world who come on a weekly basis for skill training and creative support in the vast and beautiful field of textile art and design. Along the way, non-refugee participants have enriched the class as well, further deepening the experience for everyone involved.
Each item sold creates financial and artistic opportunity in the life of the woman who made it and a truly unique connection for the person who purchases it.
If you would like to learn more about Stitch Buffalo, enjoy the clip below.
The cost of each embroidered hanging feathered friend is $20, and the cost of each writers notebook with pen holder is $25. I will pay your shipping for an order of any two items or more. You will receive a surprise color and for each item you purchase, and 70% of the money will go directly to the refugee woman who stitched the piece, the remainder going to materials. Each stitched piece will be tagged with the artisan's name and home country.
If you are interested in ordering two of any Stitch Buffalo pieces, either birds or notebooks, The Poem Farm will pay shipping to send your order to your home (or a friend's home) in the continental US. Please just drop me an e-mail to me, and I personally will mail your birds or notebooks! All orders (and checks) must be received by December 15. I am also happy to hand carry birds and notebooks to NCTE in Atlanta later this month.
To order birds and notebooks, please:
- Send an e-mail by December 15 to me at amy@amylv.com with STITCH in the subject line.
- Include what you wish to order. (Colors will be a surprise!)
- Include your address.
- Wait for an e-mail with information about mailing your check.
If you wish to make a donation of stitchery materials, gorgeous buttons, glass beads, or money to Stitch Buffalo, please let me know, and I will connect you with them.
You can learn more about Stitch Buffalo HERE.
You can learn more about our refugee population in Buffalo, NY HERE. The family story of one Stitch Buffalo artisan is highlighted in this BUFFALO NEWS series from Fall 2016.
Thank you for being here for each other, for me, and for our good, beautiful world.
Love,
Amy
xo
Love,
Amy
xo
This month I am grateful to have artist Tim Needles visiting my other blog, Sharing Our Notebooks. I've admired his work on Twitter for a while, and it's a treat to peek into his fabulous notebooks and to learn about his faith in process. Don't miss. (And there's a book giveaway for a commenter too!)
It is now Friday, and I would like to invite everyone over to this week's Poetry Friday roundup over at Jama's Alphabet Soup. All are always welcome in this warm community of folks who love poems and people.
Please share a comment below if you wish.
