Skip to Main Content

 Admission is always freeOpen today: 10:00  to 5:00  Directions             Play Artle            

                  -  Visit                      - Visit
                    - Getting Here
                    - Accessibility
                    - Tours, Guides & Maps
                    - Food & Drink
                    - Gallery Shops
                    - Visitor Policies 
                  -  Collection                      - Collection
                    - Highlights
                    - Search the Collection
                    - Artists Search
                    - Acquisition Highlights
                    - Stories 
                  -  Exhibitions                      - Exhibitions
                    - Current
                    - Special Installations
                    - Upcoming
                    - On Tour
                    - Past 
                  -  Calendar                      - Calendar
                    - Films
                    - Performances
                    - Talks
                    - Guided Tours
                    - After Hours
                    - Fun for Kids
                    - Festivals
                    - Workshops 
                  -  Learn                      - Learn
                    - Teachers
                    - Families
                    - Teens
                    - Adults
                    - Learning Resources
                    - Music Programs
                    - Film Programs 
                  -  Conservation                      - Conservation
                    - Projects
                    - Publications
                    - Resources 
                  -  Research                      - Research
                    - The Center
                    - Publications
                    - Make an Appointment
                    - Archives
                    - Library
                    - NGA Online Editions 
                  -  Support                      - Support
                    - Donate Now
                    - National Membership
                    - Circle Membership
                    - Leadership Groups
                    - Planned Giving
                    - Major Giving
                    - Gifts of Art 
                  -  Shop                      - Shop
                    - Books
                    - Jewelry
                    - Apparel & Accessories
                    - Kids
                    - NGA Custom Prints 
                  -  Play Artle

Home>Stories>Poet Victoria Chang Responds to a Sculpture by Anne Truitt

Art in Focus

# Poet Victoria Chang Responds to a Sculpture by Anne Truitt

 min read

As part of our “Poetry is a country” festival we invited celebrated American poets to compose something new inspired by art in our collection. Victoria Chang’s poem responds to Anne Truitt’s sculpture *Mid Day*.  

Anne Truitt, *Mid Day*, 1972, acrylic on wood, Gift of Harry and Margery Kahn, 1975.44.1

Mid Day

Victoria Chang

A square table put out just for me.In Emily Dickinson’s bedroom. Myback to her dead mother in theother room. My front to her bed.Lace curtains remind me of womenbefore me. She lived until 55. AnneTruitt until 83. I am 52, prowling atthe edge of revelation. How Truittpainted the bright red horizontally,then vertically to smooth out theeyes. Then sanded down the tearsthat came through. How shewanted what was left to be even,burnished alive. I imagine her headon the bed, tilted past death, herdashes in my direction. Who getsto speak, who gets to brush.Whose tendons of mind are visible.Who gets to scratch. Who gets tosand. Who gets to spend our daysinside thinking, gnashing our livesinto 10-foot tall rectangularthoughts. I run my hands throughmy hair hoping to leave behind ablack strand. An unquestionablestrand. Ineligible split end. Howstrange to be in this roomdemanding awe. To sit down andwrite a poem where I could neverhave been. On the other side ofthe country, at the same time,Chinatowns were burned down.What am I to do with all theseseams. The world that keepsgrowing back. The women who areadjuncts to the world. The worldthat is unfaithful. What if I am nolonger in awe of the stiff light.Expiring rims of time, smoothingonly itself. I had an hour and nowmy time is up. She’s gone and she’sgone. Still I am here pressedbetween her and hurt, betweenthe cross-talking ghosts. Takingwhat they’ll give. Her dead motherbehind me. My dead motherbeyond me. All the beheaded lovemixing at noon in red. After othersdie, where do we put our sadness?After we die, where does oursadness go?

Please note: We have tried to preserve the formatting of poems, but some devices may distort how text appears. Read the poem in its original formatting here.

Explore new creations by some of America’s most important living poets.Read more

Victoria Chang

The Bourne Chair of Poetry at Georgia Tech, director of Poetry@Tech, and poetry editor of the *New York Times Magazine*(2022-2023). 

September 15, 2023

Share 

### Stay connected

Learn more about our exhibitions, news, programs, and special offers.

About
          - About the National Gallery
          - Stories
          - Press
          - FAQs
          - Contact Us

Plan a Visit
          - Getting Here
          - Accessibility
          - Today's Tours
          - Food & Drink
          - Calendar
          - Downloadable Map

Get Involved
          - Donate
          - Membership
          - Volunteer
          - Opportunities
          - Shop Online

Resources
          - Search the Collection
          - Conservation
          - Library
          - Archives
          - The Center
          - Film Programs
          - Music Programs
          - Audio/Video
          - Open Access Images

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily

**West Building**6th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter or exit from Constitution Avenue, 4th Street, or 7th Street. The Madison Drive entrance is currently closed.*

**East Building**4th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter and exit from 4th Street.*

**Sculpture Garden**7th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter and exit from 7th Street, Constitution Avenue, or Madison Drive.*

We are closed on December 25 and January 1.

*The National Gallery of Art serves the nation by welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and our shared humanity.*

          -  Twitter 
          -  Facebook 
          -  Instagram 
          -  Pinterest 
          -  YouTube 

© 2024 National Gallery of Art   Notices   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy