Bob Clark’s Annual Poetry Exhibit includes new poem dedicated to library

Poet Bob Clark's work will be
displayed at the Windham Public
Library for the 11th year in
celebration of National Poetry
Month throughout April. He's
also created a new poem for
this year marking the 50th
anniversary of the library.
COURTESY PHOTO     

By Elizabeth Richards     

In celebration of National Poetry Month, local poet Bob Clark will once again set up a framed display of poetry at the Windham Public Library, for the 11th year. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Windham Public Library, which built upon the tradition of the Windham Center Circulating Library Association formed in 1873. Clark’s exhibit will include a special poem about the library to help celebrate the occasion.

“I have enjoyed thinking of the anniversary date of the library itself and have written the poem "Our Library, Our Orchid" as a literary complement to and for the celebration,” Clark said.  The poem speaks to both the historical existence of the library and the appreciation of its patrons, he said. 

Clark said the 'orchid' idea represents a calm and inviting feeling for those who view its colorful charm.  The library has assisted curious patrons in a similar relaxing manner from its unique “book swapping” beginning to the digital world now available, he said.  “The library is an intriguing opportunity open to all, just as the flowering orchid symbolizes a welcome to each who view it,” Clark said.

Each year, Clark centers his work around an idea or theme.  This year, Clark said, he incorporates the idea of a three-legged milking stool, representing three features of his work that are similar to elements that artists focus on. Clark said he has been studying Winslow Homer and Paul Cezanne specifically. Both used three elements of production in their work-light, space/positioning and subject, he said.

In his work, Clark says, the light is the choice of subject to be illuminated; the space is the length of the poem; and the subjects are the descriptive word combinations that capture and convey an idea.

“These world-renowned artists have provided with brush strokes on canvas what I try to relate in written forms,” Clark says.

This year he also explores the idea of what a poem does, which he says aligns with any anniversary, but particularly one for a building which houses poetry as part of their collection.

What he has noticed, he said, is that when people are reading about somebody else’s thinking on a topic, it inspires them to connect to their own lives.  “It gives somebody an opportunity to remember something from his or her life, but it’s sparked by an author who essentially did the same thing,” he said. 

As a poet, he said, he captures fleeting moments, like his poem about a hawk in a tree that he could have easily missed if he hadn’t glanced up.  In his 2022 booklet, Clark wrote, “Something catches your eye. It’s gone in a flash.  For an artist, sculptor, musician – for a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker – reaction to an unscripted fleeting moment of observation can serve as an inspirational reference.”

A poem, like an artist’s painting, can prompt someone else to remember similar moments, he said.  “[An artist] is up to the same thing, they just had a brush in their hand instead of a dictionary,” he said. A poem is casting light on something that can spark emotion in the reader, he said.

Clark’s framed exhibit, including the poem dedicated to the library, will be on display at the Windham Public Library throughout the month of April. <