Poem of the day (June 27, 2015)

Giant blanket of warmth

in the sunlight’s dew of morning

that spoken silence is gold found

Poem of the day (June 26, 2015)

When you love small breezes

select a butterfly to glide with

holding a breath’s

answer to death

Sonnet of Escape by Chris Noe

Sitting here on my couch drinking bourbon

Yesterday’s snow melts on old brick rooftops

The sound of train whistles is so urban

Our world is too busy to even stop

I respect the lonely people outside

Heads are spun in motion sickness space clouds

Ear buds and smart phones are places to hide

Accomplishments in life we are real proud

Suburban winter life in Chicago

Kickball games and trash picking in the streets

It won’t be long until the flowers grow

Dance through the lush green grass in our bare feet

Shelter exists within my sleepy dreams

Protecting my soul from the midnight screams

Influential Poems Volume 1: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Elliot

When I was in high school, I had to read this poem and learn to appreciate it. Well, I certainly did. It’s vivid, lonely, dark and rather eye opening. T.S. Elliot is in my top five list of favorite classic poets. This poem alone is absolutely my favorite piece of poetry. It’s written in the way I have always wished I could write. Thank you for the inspiration. I have included an audio version read by Anthony Hopkins:

Let us go then, you and I,

When the evening is spread out against the sky

Like a patient etherized upon a table;

Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,

The muttering retreats

Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels

And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells:

Streets that follow like a tedious argument

Of insidious intent

To lead you to an overwhelming question …

Oh, do not ask, “What is it?”

Let us go and make our visit.

In the room the women come and go

Talking of Michelangelo.

The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes,

The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes,

Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening,

Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains,

Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys,

Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap,

And seeing that it was a soft October night,

Curled once about the house, and fell asleep.

And indeed there will be time

For the yellow smoke that slides along the street,

Rubbing its back upon the window-panes;

There will be time, there will be time

To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet;

There will be time to murder and create,

And time for all the works and days of hands

That lift and drop a question on your plate;

Time for you and time for me,

And time yet for a hundred indecisions,

And for a hundred visions and revisions,

Before the taking of a toast and tea.

In the room the women come and go

Talking of Michelangelo.

And indeed there will be time

To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”

Time to turn back and descend the stair,

With a bald spot in the middle of my hair —

(They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”)

My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,

My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin —

(They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”)

Do I dare

Disturb the universe?

In a minute there is time

For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

For I have known them all already, known them all:

Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,

I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;

I know the voices dying with a dying fall

Beneath the music from a farther room.

So how should I presume?

And I have known the eyes already, known them all—

The eyes that fix you in a formulated phrase,

And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin,

When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall,

Then how should I begin

To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways?

And how should I presume?

And I have known the arms already, known them all—

Arms that are braceleted and white and bare

(But in the lamplight, downed with light brown hair!)

Is it perfume from a dress

That makes me so digress?

Arms that lie along a table, or wrap about a shawl.

And should I then presume?

And how should I begin?

Shall I say, I have gone at dusk through narrow streets

And watched the smoke that rises from the pipes

Of lonely men in shirt-sleeves, leaning out of windows? …

I should have been a pair of ragged claws

Scuttling across the floors of silent seas.

And the afternoon, the evening, sleeps so peacefully!

Smoothed by long fingers,

Asleep … tired … or it malingers,

Stretched on the floor, here beside you and me.

Should I, after tea and cakes and ices,

Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?

But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed,

Though I have seen my head (grown slightly bald) brought in upon a platter,

I am no prophet — and here’s no great matter;

I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,

And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker,

And in short, I was afraid.

And would it have been worth it, after all,

After the cups, the marmalade, the tea,

Among the porcelain, among some talk of you and me,

Would it have been worth while,

To have bitten off the matter with a smile,

To have squeezed the universe into a ball

To roll it towards some overwhelming question,

To say: “I am Lazarus, come from the dead,

Come back to tell you all, I shall tell you all”—

If one, settling a pillow by her head

Should say: “That is not what I meant at all;

That is not it, at all.”

And would it have been worth it, after all,

Would it have been worth while,

After the sunsets and the dooryards and the sprinkled streets,

After the novels, after the teacups, after the skirts that trail along the floor—

And this, and so much more?—

It is impossible to say just what I mean!

But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen:

Would it have been worth while

If one, settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl,

And turning toward the window, should say:

“That is not it at all,

That is not what I meant, at all.”

No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;

Am an attendant lord, one that will do

To swell a progress, start a scene or two,

Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool,

Deferential, glad to be of use,

Politic, cautious, and meticulous;

Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;

At times, indeed, almost ridiculous—

Almost, at times, the Fool.

I grow old … I grow old …

I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.

Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?

I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.

I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.

I do not think that they will sing to me.

I have seen them riding seaward on the waves

Combing the white hair of the waves blown back

When the wind blows the water white and black.

We have lingered in the chambers of the sea

By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown

Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

-t.s. elliot

Speaking Engagement: Messenger Library April Event

Messenger Public Library in North Aurora IL Celebrates National Poetry Month

Join us in celebrating National Poetry month with a special author visit by Christopher Noe this Thursday, April 25th, 2013 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at Messenger Public Library. Poet Christopher Noe, will be our guest and share excerpts from his book titled “Wait For the Night To Smile: the poetry of Christopher Noe”. He will also speak on his writing process and answer questions from readers and writers alike. There will also be copies of his book available for purchase and will autograph upon request. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event!

Speaking Engagement: Reading at Local Library

Messenger Library Poet Showcase

Good Afternoon!

I am excited to announce that on Thursday, June 28th we will be welcoming writer and poet, Christopher Noe. He will read from his book of poems and speak to us about the writing process and publishing. See the attachment for more information. I hope you will try to attend and help us welcome him.

If you have any questions or comments you can contact me at rhannah-andy@northaurora.lib.il.us

Thanks,

Robyn Hannah-Andy

Event: Aurora Artwalk, June 8th 2012

Bring the Artist, Within You, Back to the Surface by Christopher Noe

Did you know that art could wake up a patient with Alzheimer’s disease?

It’s true.

Important people; like John Zeisel, the director of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care; point out that paintings, drawings and photographs are an excellent treatment to reduce the symptoms of this horrible illness. It’s sort of like a strong pill that you might take once a week to sharpen the memory.

A healthy dose of great art can actually stimulate the engaging and thoughtful memories that are still in the brain and pull them out, according to Francesca Rosenberg of the Museum of Modern Art.

This disease is a serious form of dementia that causes memory loss. Scientists are also discovering that most memories are stored as images and are not even destroyed by Alzheimer’s. So nothing’s wrong with being a visual learner, after all.

If none of this information is enough to convince you to attend the Aurora Artwalk this June and get inspired, then let me tell you more.

What is an Artwalk? Think of an art show. But this event is spread out and covers a lot of ground within just one block. Sights, sounds and emotional feelings all come together in an engaging and edgy fashion.

It’s an awesome way for creative folks to hang out, get connected and check out what the poets, musicians, photographers, sculptors and other artists are up to. It truly is an inspiration for all attending.

The community of the historic downtown Aurora wishes to see a flourishing and creative community evolve into something great towards the future. This really is an opportunity for everyone to see what possibilities are available out there and the performers can showcase the beauty of their work.

So remember to visit the city of Aurora on Friday June 8th from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm. While you’re down there, grab some coffee at a local café and take a stroll through the historic buildings full of astonishing art. Your senses will be to dazzled

Fellow friend, relative and co-worker, Christopher Noe, will be featured at the Aurora Artwalk showcasing his poetry, writing styles and his new book.
For more info:

www.AuroraArtWalk.com
www.facebook.com/AuroraArtWalk

Article Feature: Marmion Magazine

Chris is featured in Marmion Magazine!

I was recently selected to be featured at old alma-mater magazine under the “Class Notes” section. I was honored to be selected and featured in this publication.