Ode to Skunk Cabbage

Below, you will find my favorite spring poem. It has nothing to do with iconic realism. Today is a beautiful, early spring day here, and I just felt like sharing this. Hope you enjoy it!

Photo of Skunk Cabbage

Ode to Skunk Cabbage

Bursting forth from its ruddy milieu

a flower erects from its hooded spathe.

This courageous prophet boldly

faces the frigid air with confidence,

radiating silently, as if to say,

“Come to me, for I offer

nourishment you need now.”

Sweet attraction allures, and she comes:

the beetle, the spider, the queen bee,

warmed by the generosity

of Spring’s first flower.

Odiferous, proud, protective,

he inspires other fragrant flora

to engender beauty.

Now, Spring has arrived

with the burgeoning

of the exceptional Skunk Cabbage.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

Library of Congress Hawk, 'Human Kindness,' and Iconic Realism

Photo from Library of Congress blog

Years ago, in the U. S. Library of Congress Reading Room of the Jefferson Building, a hawk winged its way around the dome's ceiling, encircling a painting titled, Human Kindness. Sometimes, nature becomes a work of art, and this was one of those occasions. Members of the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia brought in two European starlings to tempt the hawk from its lofty perch. The minute one of the starlings moved its head, the hawk swooped down to attack, only to be captured by Linda Moore (in photo) and taken to its new home at the Conservancy. 

This scene illustrated iconic realism in that the hawk, an iconic bird of prey, was flying freely inside an environment unusual for this creature, bringing attention to the act of human kindness and human stewardship both in the painting which it encircled and the actions of the ornithologists, who protected the starlings and brought the hawk to a more livable environment.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

To hear me read this, please click HERE.

St. Joseph's Table and Iconic Realism

Photo from Catholckey.org

March 19 is St. Joseph's Day....I know, in some circles, this might be known as the reprieve following St. Patrick's Day. Now, what could be more iconic than a table laden with Italian delicacies? The way in which this becomes iconic realism is the setting (time) of this tradition, Lent, a time normally set aside for fasting. However, at a St. Joseph's Table, there is an abundance of wonderful food, in honor of the patron saint of families. The cultural aspect which becomes magnified by this juxtaposition of excessive edibles during a period of fasting would be the focus on familial bonds, friendship, and love, which is why many donate collected food from the Table for those in need. If you have never experienced a St. Joseph's Table, I highly recommend it. The aroma alone will revive your senses, providing a true contemplation of life's adventure and the generosity that can envelop the human heart. 

Saint Patrick and Iconic Realism

Stained glass image of Saint Patrick 

from Cathedral of St. Patrick, Oakland, California

Saint Patrick was born in Britain in the late 4th or early 5th century and died March 17, 461.  Abducted by Irish pirates when he was in his teens, he escaped and returned to Britain. [1]

In his book entitled, Confessions, he wrote:

"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."

"I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: 'The Voice of the Irish.' As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea-and they cried out, as with one voice: 'We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.'"

The Irish Gaelige term for 'voice' is 'glor,' so his vision would have been a glorious one, for sure. 

How does Saint Patrick's life demonstrate iconic realism? 

1. A British lad ends up in Ireland during the Dark Ages. 

2. This placement was an unusual one for a British lad. 

3. Eventually, he was ordained a priest by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, with whom he had studied for years, and he was later ordained a bishop. He was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland as a means of transforming the pagan mindset to one of Christianity. He used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the people. 

Quoted material is from Saint Patrick's book, Confessions, and cited from the following website: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89

[1] Dates of Saint Patrick's life and death are from the following website: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89

St. Basil's Cathedral and Iconic Realism

Photo from Google Images

The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, commonly known as St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, could be an example of iconic realism in two ways:

St. Basil was a man of humble eloquence, a true scholar who lived in Cappadocia during the 4th century. This cathedral, now a museum, is located in an area of the world in which many communist leaders have disregarded the human right of freedom of expression, yet it bears the namesake of one who dedicated his life to these rights, and thus, illustrates iconic realism. This iconic cathedral, a major landmark of Moscow, brings an awareness of the cultural need for individual expression, spiritual enlightenment, and freedom to pursue scholarly endeavors. (Joseph McSorley, EWTN)

Moreover, this cathedral was constructed by supporters of Ivan the Terrible to commemorate his military victories. A towering cathedral of delicate design with vibrant colors in fanciful appearance, constructed to honor a man of war, this dichotomy demonstrates the semiotic theory of iconic realism in that the juxtaposition causes generations to re-evaluate the negative repercussions associated with warring factions.