Tuesday, November 29, 2016

A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS By Polly Guerin

Robert Indiana's Iconic LOVE Sculpture


















LOVE AND GLAD TIDINGS EVERYWHERE
EVEN MELTS THE FRIGID FROSTY AIR

SOMEWHERE AN ANGEL IS SINGING
AND CHRISTMAS BELLS ARE RINGING

LOVE SURRENDERS TO THE SEASON
A BEAUTIFUL HARMONY IS BEAMING'

THE NEWBORN DAY GIVES HOPE WE PRAY
EXPECT GLAD TIDINGS TO COME YOUR WAY

BRINGING GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GIFTS FOR EVERY GIRL AND BOY 

THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS LADEN DOWN
WEARING A BRIGHT STAR IN ITS CROWN

THERE ARE MEMORIES IN THE KEEPING 
THAT GOES HEART TO HEART BEATING

AND EVERYWHERE LOVE, LOVE ABIDES 
WARM HEARTED FEELINGS NEVER HIDE

BE JOYFUL, BE GRATEFUL, BE YOUR BEST
PUT PERCEIVED GRIEVANCES TO REST

THE DAYS ARE FILLED WITH MAGIC
SURPRISES IN STORE, BE ECSTATIC

BE VIBRANTLY ALIVE AND ARISE
CHRISTMAS BRINGS A SPECIAL PRIZE

SOMETHING YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED
MAY YOU BE BLESSED WITH JOY AND PEACE

WISHING YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
             JOYEUX NOEL! 



Tuesday, November 8, 2016

CHERCHEZ LE SOUFFLE By Polly Guerin


GRAND MARNIER SOUFFLE a la Jubilee


















CHERCHER LE SOUFFLE
(A tribute to Jubilee Restaurant)
By Polly Guerin

Puffed up on air like a cloud
Le Souffle is delicious and proud

Whisking fluff is the Cordon Chef's clue
Perfection is essential, that we knew

It's creation is a matter of  creative time
Ingredients delicious and utterly sublime

Le Souffle is an independent dish
One waits on Le Souffle, as they wish

Made-to-order---patience is the call
This Haute Cuisine dessert does not fall

And Voila! it arrives like a precious gift
Melts in your mouth like a frothy whiff

Of smooth egg infused delicate cream
Leaves us reeling as if in a dream

One spoonful sends us in a spin
The fluff is magical to begin

And sends us crooning oohs and aahs
Le Souffle, quite clear, is a dessert star

He fame is brief we devour it all
But "Oh La La" my dear, I do recall!!!

Sunday, November 6, 2016

FICKLE FROST (c) By Polly Guerin

Aroma of Plum Blossom comes from cold and frigid frost and snow
Must the frost of winter come so soon?
August left behind was still in bloom

Summer's languid days were the best
Gave us time to ponder, time to rest

Yet winter snaps her fickle frigid finger
We rush home, we do not linger

Ensconced in the cocoon warm of our abode
We curl up in cozy fleeces to beat the cold

And confined here by the fickle frost
Alas, what care I, if a times I get lost

In winter's lounging longing nights
Seeking silent sentiment until the light

When daybreak casts its golden hue
Over the mysterious brooding brew

And awakens our solemn silent slumber
A new day breaks with wakeful wonderr!!!

Sunday, October 30, 2016

THE WORLD IS FULL OF WEEPING (A poem inspired by the works of the Indian poet Tagore) By Polly Guerin

Kalki 'The Destroyer' Descends on Greed,, War and Destruction














The World is Full of Weeping
Greed and self--seeking

With the fever of unrest
Destroyed our own, our best

The 'Disappeared' forever gone
Never to hear a peaceful song

And dark stains cover the earth
The wars that know no rest

Wherefore shall come a white knight
Bringing a message to all, to re-unite?

All nations together in one bond
Of everlasting friendship fond

Oh, most reverent holy spirit
Show immeasurable mercy to us

And wipe away the brokenhearted
Stop the madness before it gets started

Restore beauty to the bleak plundered land
All nations together now must understand

There is no way forward except with peace
Oh, gracious spirit give us courage an release

Purify the minds of  the weary misled
Forgive and bring back beauty instead 

Unite the hearts of all the world's people 
In the harmony of a one connected life,
          A World at Peace.


Friday, September 30, 2016

THE LITTLE YELLOW HOUSE By Polly Guerin

The Little Yellow House by Michael Baum


The Little Yellow House
New England's finest
Stood its ground down 
 a cul-de-sac

Sheltered by great ancient trees
It beckoned welcome if you please

An through shuttered windows
Saw the passing wildlife show

An yon nearby past the glen 
A mother deer and doe came again 

A lone red fox skirted over the meadow
A feisty hungry fellow

And dozens of wild turkey came
To prance before the windowpane

And lush bushes housed birds at the feeder
Squirrels and chipmunks were eager

House and wildlife in the picture frame
But, alas, it would never be the same

Then the wreckers took down the house
Ancient boulders and everything about

And the dead sweet meadow made me cry
The Little Yellow House heaved a sigh

A monster mansion took its place
New England had changed its face

Not for the better, destroyed the land
I shall never, never understand

Chopped down the majestic trees
And the wildlife did not please


The turkey flocks disappeared, gone
Never to hear the birds springtime song

An nary a deer or doe came this way
The 'disappeared' had nothing to say

Smooth artificial lawns sprawled
Natural grass an trees were appalled

Not for the better, destroyed the land
When will people ever understand

The threat to nature is beyond the pale.


Monday, September 12, 2016

TODAY, THE ONLY DAY

Today is the only day we have, it's called Today
Treasure it, why give it away?

Yesterday is forever, ever gone

Bring in new day with a song

Celebrate today as a special gift

A happy heart will soon uplift

Your expectations with elan

Jot down the hours make a plan

Find hidden treasures an clock

Give thanks for and take stock

Of joyful minutes to live alert

Banish disappoint and skirt

Issues not worth your watch

Smile more, don't be a starch

Robot passing in the parade

Give generous to those you aide

Hug someone with all your might
Banish loneliness and delight

Give someone a sweet surprise
Be honest, respectful and wise 

Pump up courage be your best

No time to dally take your rest

Today is the only day that matters

Tomorrow may never come, scatter

Your dreams and lose prime time
Latch onto today and you'll be fine!


Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Adieu GINNIE CURY By Polly Guerin (Virginia Guerin September 3, 1936-June 21, 2016)

Agostino Carracci's Whispering Angels

My sister died they say
A massive heart attack took her away

The pain an sorry will ease with time
Sweet memories will live on, be mine

To savor when at evening's end
I have lost my dearest friend

Though distant we kept in touch
I loved weekend calls very much

Admired most her brilliant mind
And with it all so very kind

So smart she could have been a judge
Unraveled legal matters without a grudge

A wonderful person her caring smile
She would do the work go the mile

A youthful beauty and blonde
In friendship we had a bond

She championed my creativity
Acknowledged great sensitivity

I'll miss her tender loving touch
She loved her little dog very much

In Canada as children at play
Never thought it would end this way

Sweet memories will keep me strong
Forever in my heart she will belong

Thank you Ginnie for being in my life
Having you as a sister was one
of Life's greatest gifts.....that will 
have evermore meaning as time goes by.














Monday, June 20, 2016

DIVINE PLEASURES: Paintings from India's Rajput Courts: Review by Polly Guerin


Like a mirror into society the art of painting known as Mughal Miniatures, is "a thing of beauty, a joy forever." The lasting beauty of these exquisitely executed miniature paintings, developed in the sixteenth and early nineteenth century for the royal courts of rajasthan and the Punjab Hills in northern India, the artists supported by Mughal Emperors and Rajput Kings.
     The delightful summer exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, DIVINE PLEASURES; PAINTING FROM INDIA'S RAJPUT COURTS, THE KRONOS COLLECTIONS, are meant to move the soul and delight the eye.  Compelling episodes the epic and poetic literature of the Indian subcontinent dominate the nearly 100 masterful paintings---most a 2015 promised gift by Steven M. Kossak from his family's Kronos Collections The exhibition through September 12, 2016  is shown in Galleries 691-693.
The collection was assembled over nearly four decades by Mr. Kossak, formerly a curator in The Met's Department of Asian Art.
      In many ways, the subjects and objects painted in these miniatures are narrative and show how people of India lived in those golden days.  Take full use of the provided magnifying glass because on a close look, you can see the style of living and the types of costumes and ornaments these people were wearing in the medieval and post-medieval era.  These remarkable paintings provide powerful imagery of the myths and epics of the past.  Taken as a meditative experience, the Indian paintings expressed a new way of seeking the divine through Bhakti, or personal devotion. 

      The exhibition is organized into three major sections---Early Rajput and Rajasthan, early Pahari (Pujab Hills), and late Pahari.  Within each room the paintings are shown in relation to the literary traditions of Indian Hinduism. For instance, these miniature paintings with exquisite detail and intact colors were not only the silent spectator to hunting, battles, love and marriages, court intrigue, pageantry, but bear witness to the social and cultural development of medieval India. Pictured Left: The poet,Abul Fazi Presenting Akbarnama to the Emperor.
      Of course, the people shown in the miniature paintings came from the upper class and princely families, but the detail of perfection, the ornaments, like necklaces, bracelets and rings are rendered with such incredible preciseness as well as the textiles, even sheer overlay skirts were a marvel of execution. Under the patronage of their Rajput rulers, many of the principalities of north India developed and nurtured a distinctive painting style.
     Compelling examples include Early Rajput Style; the later schools of Bikaner, Bundi, Kishangarh, Kota and Mewar as well as many of the small courts of he Punjab Hills; Bahu, Bahsoli, Bislalpur, Chamba, Guler, Kangra, Mandi, Mankot, and Nurpur.
The colors used by the artists Mughal era, for example, came from materials like minerals, vegetables, precious stones, indigo, and conch shells, yet the intensity of artistic rendering is as intact as if painted yesterday. The painters sponsored by an emperor used gold and silver to decor the paintings, as such luxury was limited to court painters only. Pictured Left: Persian miniature handmade illuminated Islamic manuscript leaf art Mughal painting.  
      Accompanying this exhibit is another smaller but equally enchanting: POETRY and DEVOTION in INDIAN PAINTING: TWO DECADES OF COLLECTING on the third floor, Gallery 251, the Florence and Herbert Irving Asian Wing. Breathtaking in scope, curator Kurt Behrendt has assembled a treasure trove of miniature paintings, including A Lady Playing the Tampura, Reja Bahwant Singh Revering Krishna and Radha and Krishna Revels with the Gopis, a page from a Dispersed Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherds).  A magnificent silver threaded tapestry adorns one wall in this smaller exhibit; is another enchanting experience.
      Ta ta Darlings!!! I'm awestruck by the  miniature paintings that provide a glimpse into the cultural and every day life activities of the royal and socially elite the bygone golden days of India. I would love to hear from you. Fan mail welcome: pollytalknyc@gmail.com. Visit Polly's other Blogs at www.pollytal,com and in the left-hand column click on the link to Blogs including fashion, visionary men, women determined to succeed and poetry.
      

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

THE GIFT OF INSPIRATION By Polly Guerin

THE Gift of INSPIRATION

Where fore art thou inspiration?
I seek it here an there for sensation

Why dost thou remain an elusive gift?
Though I research pagebypage an sift

Seeking references in every place
I wonder when it will soon embrace

My music sends me on my way
Do pray, let me be inspired today

Reading newspapers are a source
And archive research is not a loss

For words to pen a pithy story
And tempt readers even if gory

Then suddenly my muse kicks in
Alas dear friends it's time to begin

When I am inspired time disappears
I'm drawn into magical spheres

There's a thrilling feeling of elation
As I set sail with inspired creation

Drawn into a world of my own realm
A tumble of words spill out it seems

I am drawn into this fantastic dream
And something opens up the stream

The gift of inspiration appears on its own

More wonderful, than I have never known.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Ode for JOAN BAXTER: Laid to Rest at Locust Valley Cemetery



ODE FOR JOAN BAXTER

By Polly Guerin 3/31/2016

The daffold path leads me to the grassy glen
Down by the steps we tread our way and then

I will go there and sit upon the marble bench
And will pray and reverie, I will stay there

Where fair Joan is at rest in springtime glory
I remember all the steadfast life and her story

The wind cries through the bending trees
Dropping tears in yon meandering breeze

For our hearts are full of weeping, Joan is sleeping
In an oasis in a garden where memories are keeping

Her erudition was exemplary and freely gave advice
That smoothed the journey benefiting my life

No regrets, she tossed her blonde hair to the wind
She gave all her heart and bade me to take life easy

But I was young and foolish at I did not understand
That there was purposeful meaning in God's plan

For life is never really, I realize, what it seems,
For mere mortals, merely a wondrous dream

Forever in our hearts her memory shall remain
And life without her will never be the same

Now our hearts are full of weeping
Now that Joan is forever sleeping.









Tuesday, March 29, 2016

FACE-LIFT

FACE-LIFT

Why dost thou wear a frown
Underneath your queenly crown?

Negativity will wear you down
Even if you haven't uttered a sound

Don't prod around with a sullen face
Restore your outlook with grace

Lines and farrows will clear
Let go of the old, my dear

Every little thing you do
Creates inner beauty, it's true

Smile a little smile each day
Watch your cares melt away

Do something nice for a stranger
Be the one who is the arranger

Rewards are great, for all you do
Telltale lines smooth out, it's true

A natural face-lift is the gift
Look in the mirror, vow to shift

Your attitude bring in the new
Forget what lies behind, review

And sing a song of praise each day
Own positive change along the way

Live life with love and lots of laughter
Concerns be gone is what you're after

Even all the little things you do
Creates inner beauty, it's true

Reflected in a new youthful you
A priceless face lift is your due!







Saturday, February 20, 2016

Stepping Stones in a Garden 
STEPPING STONES  

By Polly Guerin

Tripping over stones of your own creation
They only block life’s renewal and elation

 Why stumble along on life’s future path
With timid steps you can release wrath

And welcome in the new found release


Uplifting, the anxiety begins to cease

Go slowly, take, one step at a time
You’ll find transformation sublime

 Listen for birdsong, wind in the trees
Bring messages of love and if you please

 Sit down; contemplate on a big gray stone
And remember to focus, you are never alone

 But part of the great universe’s earth plan
Confirm and say to yourself, I am I am

Taking one step at a time!!!