Ever since encountering Amy Lowell‘s Imagist poem The Green Bowl, published in her first poetry collection in 1912, I had wondered about it. Was it inspired by an actual bowl? If so, does it still exist? Who was Roger, the carver of this little bowl? Here’s the poem:
The Green Bowl by Amy Lowell
This little bowl is like a mossy pool
In a Spring wood, where dogtooth violets grow
Nodding in chequered sunshine of the trees;
A quiet place, still, with the sound of birds,
Where, though unseen, is heard the endless song
And murmur of the never resting sea.
'T was winter, Roger, when you made this cup,
But coming Spring guided your eager hand
And round the edge you fashioned young green leaves,
A proper chalice made to hold the shy
And little flowers of the woods. And here
They will forget their sad uprooting, lost
In pleasure that this circle of bright leaves
Should be their setting; once more they will dream
They hear winds wandering through lofty trees
And see the sun smiling between the leaves.
From A Dome of Many-Coloured Glass (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1912).
I decided to carve my version of Amy Lowell’s green bowl. I suppose, if I had adhered to the clues offered, that the bowl should have been round. Maybe in the next version. This time I went with a side-panel form à la Bengt Lidstrom. It’s a tight little bowl, just 10 1/4″ long, 5 1/2″ wide, and 3 3/8″ high. Carved from quaking aspen.
It gave me a chance to play with milk paint and explore a bit. I used many thin layers and rubbing back to create a sense of age and texture.
The bowl may have only existed in Lowell’s imagination. I still wonder though. Those of you in the Boston area, keep your eyes peeled at estate sales for an old green bowl with “Roger” on the bottom.
If you’d like to hear a reading of Amy Lowell’s poetry and learn more about her, here’s a link to a presentation given at the Boston Athenaeum several years ago.
David Fisher, Carving Explorations 
Beautiful
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I saw the paint I panicked a little after out paint conversations then when I saw the quacking aspen I knew exactly why good application
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes beautiful
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the way the paint work exposed all the beautiful details left by your gouge and knife.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the Milk Paint technique, Dave.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Dave,
The contrast between the burnished and un-burnished milk painted surface is one of the joys of working with milk paint. It is a masterful and very beautiful rendition of the poem. Bravo.
LikeLike
Thanks David!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dave, that is such a lovely bowl and the mossy green color is perfect. Likely you could have easily sold 5 of them. Beautiful artistry and craftsmanship.
Cheers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful poem and a gorgeous bowl, Dave. I always learn something new from your posts, which continue to be greatly appreciated. I had never heard of Amy Lowell or her poetry but I am inspired to learn more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All I knew was the Lowells spoke only to the Cabots and the Cabots spoke only to god. Didn’t know the Lowells were poets. Something every day https://theberkshireedge.com/anyone-for-tennyson-the-lowells-of-massachusetts-they-talk-to-the-cabots-but-also-to-the-world/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing the link. Enlightening. I barely knew about the beans and the cod, let alone the rest.
LikeLike
Dave, You have superbly coupled your knowledge, imagination, creatively and skill! Once again, congratulations!
LikeLike
Amy Lowell family of mine. I think she was my great great grandfather’s sister in law.
LikeLike
Very cool, Nathan! Look around your family’s attics for a green bowl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That green bowl is simply beautifully carved and perfectly decorated and balanced . Most probably a delight to hold and caress.
LikeLiked by 1 person