More inspiration.
Not all inspiration comes from our fellow humans. Our animal friends can be truly luminous in the inspiration and kindness that they offer. And not all that is inspiring is on a grand scale or dramatic. Something gentle, patient and steady can touch our hearts in a very special way.
This month I am offering a review of another inspiring picture book,TONY, by Ed Galing (1917-2007), illustrated by Erin E. Stead.
Based on Galing’s poem,Tony, this heart touching book recalls a time in the late 1800s and early 1900s when milk, butter and eggs were delivered directly to your home in the very early morning by a milkman driving a cart pulled by his loyal cart horse. Tony is the cart horse but so much more.
Erin E. Stead, a Caldecott medal recipient, was touched by the deep, heartfelt quality of Galing’s poem. Her wonderful illustrations create the early morning, half-lighted feel of the journey Tom and Tony take on their delivery route. She succeeds in bringing the spirit of Tony to life. As Galing wrote, “Tony was all white, large, sturdy, with wide gentle eyes and a ton of love”. Tony knows his job. In his steady and gentle way, he helps young Tom Jones deliver his wares.
As the book unfolds, there is a growing sense of inspiration from Tony’s presence. As is true with so many of our animal friends, Tony is just so present, leaning in with love and steadiness to cooperate and share.
Here is an excerpt:
“it was early in the morning around three a.m.,
but I was up, and would go out and pat Tony with my gentle arms,
and his head would bow down in his eyes would glow
and Tom would say nice to see you out so early, sir,
and Tony always looks for you, too,
wouldn’t miss Tony for the world, I would reply, sturdily, giving Tony another pat,
he is such a wonderful horse, and so handsome.”
I highly recommend this book for the inspiration this wonderful horse provides as he goes through his daily life with a sense of love and sweetness.
A note on the author, Ed Galing.
Galing grew up on the lower east side of New York and in South Philadelphia. His family was quite poor and lived in very spartan, difficult conditions. When he was in high school, Galing was inspired by his English teacher, Dr. Ginsberg, to pursue poetry.
Poetry was a revelation to Galing. He felt poetry allowed him to express in a few words what he would need a thousand words of prose to say. Writing poetry, he could pour out his heart and soul. And he did.
Galing’s work was published primarily by small presses, journals and newspapers. Over his lifetime, he became respected as one of the major small press poets of his day. Before his death at the age of ninety-six, Galing was featured in an article in “Rattle” magazine where he was dubbed a poet of the “Greatest Generation”.
Thanks for dropping by and reading!
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