"Dream Book" (1901) by Alice Pike Barney [1857-1931].
dream book
restricted to hearth
and home
we spend our time
interpreting the only world
in which we roam free
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
Dream interpretation has existed as long as there have been dreamers. In the late 1800s and early 1900s guides to dreams and their meanings were popular. Here is the title page from a book published in 1871:
And a sample page:
Update: Jama Rattigan has graciously collected other National Poetry Month 2019 goings-on. Click here and go have some fun!
A cherita is a haiku-like poem of three stanzas that tells a "story." The first stanza is one line and sets the scene. Stanza two is two lines, stanza three is three lines. A cherita terbalik is a cherita with the order of the stanzas rearranged.
I love the veil in the painting, feels like that fits your "restricted to hearth/ and home", Diane, & the sample page is fascinating. We have more than one dream interpretation book in the bookstore! Happy April!
ReplyDeleteThe veil is quite exotic and invokes séances and other spiritualistic events. The flowers on the veil is a touch of elegance that suggests a woman of means who, having nothing better to do, partakes in these types of activities. I love the painting!
DeleteGorgeous painting, that veil lends an air of mystery. She appears contemplative, and your poem reflects her flights of fantasy and wanderings. I've always found dream interpretation fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jama! When my grandmother died, we found a small booklet of dream symbology. I wish I knew what became of it.
DeleteYou really captured the mood of the painting, Diane. It's a beautiful pairing!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful painting! It caught my attention and held it.
DeleteThe constriction of women's lives contrasted with the freedom of dreams is powerful.
ReplyDeleteI know rich women had it relatively good compared to poorer folk, but the boredom of a highly structured social life must have been unbearable at times.
DeleteAh, dreams. Oh that we could see them clearly. And know what freedom really means. How many veils encompass our lives? Janet F.
ReplyDelete"How many veils encompass our lives?" That's a provocative question!
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