The poetry of Robinson Jeffers is in the spotlight as Occidental College hosts a series of events celebrating one of its most
notable alums (class of 1905) who wrote extensively on the environment. On Saturday, Jeffers poetry will be part of several events -
including a reading, sculpture dedication and garden opening - at The Southwest Museum in Mt. Washington and the Lummis House in Highland Park. The events will continue through early November as part of
The Big Read: Jeffers and the Ecologies of Poetry.
***
Jeffers, who died in 1962, is best known for his poems inspired by the Western landscape, the Central California coast, in particular. So, why should his work be of interest to modern day Angelenos, particularly those who live in the Eastside? Occidental College professor Thomas Burkdall said Jeffers' words and sentiments still resonate with Americans living far from the Pacific.
"Even though Jeffers did focus his work on the Central Coast of California, I see his poetry as relevant to all of California ecology and, indeed, much of America," Burkdall said in an email. "In his poem,
Carmel Point, Jeffers observes:
'This beautiful place defaced with a crop of suburban houses-
How beautiful when we first beheld it.'
Whether this is the Carmel coast or the Verdugo Hills, I think we can all understand this nostalgia for a pristine landscape," Burkdall said. In the wake of the recent fires that swept through the nearby mountains, Burdall offered up this Jeffers poem titled
Fire on the Hills:
The deer were bounding like blown leaves
Under the smoke in front of the roaring wave of the brush-fire;
I thought of the smaller lives that were caught.
Beauty is not always lovely; the fire was beautiful, the terror
Of the deer was beautiful; and when I returned
Down the back slopes after the fire had gone by, an eagle
Was perched on the jag of a burnt pine,
Insolent and gorged, cloaked in the folded storms of his shoulders
He had come from far off for the good hunting
With fire for his beater to drive the game; the sky was merciless
Blue, and the hills merciless black,
The sombre-feathered great bird sleepily merciless between them.
I thought, painfully, but the whole mind,
The destruction that brings an eagle from heaven is better than men.
- Robinson Jeffers
Portrait of Jeffers by Remsen Bird/Occidental College
Several of the storefronts in the landmark Jensen's Recreation Center in the heart of Echo Park's business district have been vacant as the building undergoes an extensive renovation. One of the empty spaces had been a high-profile corner spot at Sunset Boulevard and Logan Streets. But that space, a former medical clinic that has been transformed into a dramatic two-story space (pictures above under construction) has apparently been leased out to vegan and raw cuisine caterer Stephen Hauptfuhr of Mooi Food.
Would it be the memory of a beloved family member, teacher, pet or barista? It's your decision what you want to do with a 10' x 10' altar space at a Dia de Los Muertos celebration being organized by El Centro del Pueblo in Echo Park. No fee is required for individual altars but space is limited and burning candles are not allowed. Click here for the application.
By Ana Facio Contreras
The poetry of Robinson Jeffers is in the spotlight as Occidental College hosts a series of events celebrating one of its most notable alums (class of 1905) who wrote extensively on the environment. On Saturday, Jeffers poetry will be part of several events - including a reading, sculpture dedication and garden opening - at The Southwest Museum in Mt. Washington and the Lummis House in Highland Park. The events will continue through early November as part of The Big Read: Jeffers and the Ecologies of Poetry.
This section is where you can find what to do, buy, eat, drink & enjoy on the Eastside. You can also find items and stories about neighborhood arts and culture.
Saturday, November 21
* Sonia Marie De Leon de Vega conducts the Santa Cecilia Orchestra at a St. Cecilia Feast Day concert at Occidental College.
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Our banner image features the work of Echo Park artist Mary-Austin Klein. This section of "Clouds Over Echo Park" was used with permission.
