Such is the life of an English teacher. But John David Thompson is no ordinary English teacher. He is also a published poet with eight books to his credit. His latest book, Iowa: A Place to Poem, recently hit the bookshelves.
Think about the title for a second. The first thought that comes to mind is the former Iowa tourism slogan, Iowa: A Place to Grow. But Iowa is thought of as a place to do many things: grow corn, raise hogs, manufacture machinery, go to school, but a place to poem? Thompson thinks so.
Two of Thompson’s previous books, the ones I have first-hand knowledge of, also reflect an Iowa theme. 99 Voices, 99 Lives: County Poems of Iowa, published in 2006, includes poems inspired by each of Iowa’s counties. Another, On Holiday, is a Christmas-themed collection of poems written by an Iowan for an Iowan. It was also accepted for review by the Pulitzer Prize Committee in 2007. Not bad for a small town teacher from Iowa. But then again, Thompson is no ordinary English teacher.
Thompson’s latest book is a collection of over 300 poems also reflecting an Iowa theme. In one he writes as a house. See if you can pick up on which one.
Quietly a drifter trips to my yard,
entranced as if in requisite study.
He calls me the backdrop, and it settles hard.
His brush of air, annoys and disturbs me.
Round of spectacles and round at mid-waist.
this Wood-be painter asks for my porch profile.
I may be the house, but he is fresh paint
to ask that I turn my gables, effect a smile.
You’ll need frown’s farmer, and
you’ll need a stern wife.
I advise with my south eye window-arching.
And it’s best to depict me in the dust-white
to convince of regionalism’s aching.
His masterpiece eyes spy a rarity.
I bring’m to size. Wait for the parodies.
Much of what is written about the house in American Gothic is how Grant Wood found the house and what he saw in it. This is the first I have come across from the house’s point of view, and obviously it was a bit annoyed. He calls Wood a “drifter” and takes offense to making him the “backdrop” for the painting instead of front and center. While Wood paints, the brush sounds “annoys and disturbs” him and he belittles Wood by calling him a “Wood-be painter,” which, by the way, is pretty clever. In the end the house accepts its fate and importance and becomes prescient: “Wait for the parodies.”
This is what an artist does; he or she provides us with something not thought of, another point of view. Wood painted familiarity—farms, fields, the product of toil, although not quite with an exactness. Thompson does something similar by humanizing the famous house and its thoughts on the painting. It’s food for thought—and fun—what more could a reader want.
I only know Wood by what I read, and only Thompson enough to feel comfortable saying “Hi, John” when we cross paths, but by reading the introduction poem in 99 Voices, 99 Lives, have come to the conclusion both have much in common.
I am a man for all counties,
and I push a proud pen.
Before most of you met your first morn,
I was born in one of them.
Goldfinch greets me at easterly window.
The rose and I grow in a ditch reserved for the wild.
Among the strongest of vines there,
Iowa’s child.
Besides both being artists with an appreciation for Iowa and Iowans, both were—are—teachers. And no ordinary teachers at that.
Iowa: A Place to Poem is available from Amazon and bookstores throughout Iowa.
Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic
300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The Farm House has served many functions during its life, two of which were housing college presidents and the epicenter of a working farm. For many years college students were hired to help with the chores around the farm and in the 1940s it was a practice home for young women in the Home Economics Department. In the late 1970s the Farm House became a public museum where visitors can experience 19th Century farm life.
to how he celebrated when
alive, but the American Gothic House Center and volunteers did him
justice last Saturday with their tribute at the KD Center in Eldon.
To
feed the birthday party revelers (this may be too strong of word as
most in attendance were on their best behavior) volunteers were kept
busy serving up soup, keeping the dessert table stocked and pouring
drinks. At times all the tables in the Center were full with people
sitting around visiting and sharing personal stories about Grant Wood.
(I might be stretching the truth on this last comment, but they were
doing quite a bit of talking.)
The
party ended with a drawing for the framed American Gothic House print
by local photographer Chris Abigt. This unique print of American Gothic
was framed by M&J Art and Frame Gallery with reclaimed wood and
glass from the American Gothic House. Dave C. of Ottumwa was the winner
of the print. He bought the ticket when attending the Eagle Watch at
Bridge View Center in January.
k who was born in 1887. Another brother, John, was born in 1893 and then a sister, Nan, (short for Nancy) came along in 1899. Given the time and place—an Iowa farmstead in the late 19th century—it was a tight fit for the six of them but as most did in rural Iowa the family made do.
To wind up the party, at 1 p.m., there will be a drawing for the American Gothic House Print by local photographer Chris Abigt. This unique print of the American Gothic House is framed by M&J Art and Frame Gallery in Ottumwa with reclaimed wood and glass from the porch. Ticket prices for the print are $1 or six for $5 and can be purchased at the center, online until 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8 at 
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