"O'Keeffe: Days in a Life"
by C.S. Merrill
La Alameda Press, $12, unpaginated
Another book about Georgia O'Keeffe? Another book of poems?
Yes and no.
On an informational level, Carol S. Merrill's "O'Keeffe: Days in a
Life" is indeed a book of poems about the painter.
But on an artistic level, the book is a joy to behold.
Merrill, who was O'Keeffe's aide, cook, librarian, reader, nurse and
companion from 1973 through 1979, offers an uncommon perspective of
this world-famous painter. It is the unique portait of a feisty and
strong woman artist by a poet who comes across as senseitive and strong.
In her March, 1978, poem--the untitled poems are printed
chronologically--Merrill writes about the meeting of their different
artistic worlds.
"Sunday morning O'Keeffe and I
discussed how to find your own voice,
your own vision.
I argued a painter can get off
alone and work in color
but a writer must use words
which requires a community
of minds, you write to a community
of minds, I said.
She spoke harshly, very loudly,
'Do you think that
community of minds cares a moment
for what you have to say?
Of course they don't!...'"
For those curious about O'Keeffe's art and life, Merrill, a librarian at Albuquerque's Garfield Middle School, says a great deal about her in a most refreshing manner.
The book is like a clear drop of water into a pond teeming with too much life. In her spare use of words, Merrill paints a picture of the artist quite different from all the books, calendars and articles about O'Keeffe.
Merrill's poems travel from the mundane to the sublime. And through Merrill's words, O'Keeffe shares much--the past, how she paints, her late husband Alfred Stieglitz, music, food, rattlesnakes. And much more. If you don't like poetry, but like O'Keeffe, you'll love this book. If you don't like O'Keeffe, but like poetry, you'll love this book anyway.