Curated by Special Collections & University Archives student assistants, Talulah Freed and Lia Sina, under the supervision of the Special Collections & University Archives department assistant, Maura Wilson.
Spring has sprung in the Donohue Rare Book Room! This pop-up exhibit is a collection of select materials from the University of San Francisco's Special Collections & Archives that encapsulate the spirit of springtime. Spring is a season of organic growth, spiritual importance, natural beauty, and personal reflection. From famous poems and illustrated nature guides to newspaper articles written by USF student, this exhibit presents a diverse array of works in the hopes of capturing the essence of the Spring season.
"And I knew that it was Spring: we'd lived through Winter!" - Song to Spring
The broadside Song to Spring showcases a short poem describing a moment of realization as the seasons change. In a minimalistic yet tender way, this piece eases the reader into the dazzling beauty of springtime and offers space to reflect on the passage of time.
" I have an appointment with spring. She comes to the window to wake me..." - Henry David Thoreau
In detailed journals, American naturalist and philosopher Henry David Thoreau recorded his reflections and curiosities about the springtime landscape around him. This compilation of entries is divided into three major sections respectively titled "March," "April", and "May." The excerpts all revolve around "vernal pools," freshwater ponds that appear only in springtime and act as a breeding ground for a variety of small creatures, including frogs, like the ones illustrated above. (1)
"This month, our favorite one, is full of flowers..." - Elizabeth Bishop
"North Haven" was written in 1979 by Elizabeth Bishop in memoriam of Robert Lowell. Lowell was a celebrated American poet who often wrote pieces set in Boston and the greater New England area. Other artists who "most directly influenced [him] ... were Allen Tate, Elizabeth Bishop, and William Carlos Williams." In this poem by Bishop to Lowell, seemly set in early spring, the speaker reflects on the spirts of change and stillness in nature as seasons pass. (2)
" ...and it will be spring..." - W.S. Merwin
W.S. Merwin's To Paula in Late Spring is a tender and intimate poem written to the author's wife in the blooming springtime season. The piece reminds the reader that this season is not only a time to enjoy natural beauty, but also to engage in personal reflection and ponder their hopes for the future. (3)
Above, two twentieth-century Foghorn articles playfully explore the traditions of Easter in San Francisco and at the USF. Easter is a Christian holiday which annually falls on a Sunday in spring and has associations with rebirth and fresh beginnings. The article on the left, featuring an Catholic-themed crossword, was originally written for a segment of The Foghorn called "The Mustard Seed," which was dedicated to providing USF students with an understanding of the Catholic faith. (4)
Our England is a Garden is a hand-colored broadside featuring a short verse from Rudyard Kipling's "The Glory of the Garden." With its gentle, pastel coloring and charming illustrations, the piece captures the feeling of sitting in a garden during springtime, surrounded by the smell of blooming flowers and crisp, flowing water. (5)
Passover is an important Judaic springtime holiday the celebrates and reflects upon the history, resilience, and faith of the Jewish people. The above Foghorn article delves into both the historical context and religious story that give meaning to the multi-day holiday. (6)
"Spending the day down by the water, spotting sea creatures in the glittering tide pools never ceases to amaze me." - The Nature of the Foghorn
Though Easter and Passover may be the first that come to mind when thinking of springtime holidays for many, it is important to remember Earth Day as well. Earth Day occurs every year on April 22nd is dedicated to spreading awareness about environmental issues, taking care of our planet, and generally appreciating Earth's natural beauty. The two Foghorn articles above detail how past Dons have celebrated the holiday. (7)
Additional Sources:
- “Of Woodland Pools, Spring-Holes and Ditches by Henry David Thoreau.” Penguin Random House Canada, 2023, www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/674794/of-woodland-pools-spring-holes-and-ditches-by-henry-david-thoreau/9781619021730
2. “Robert Lowell.” Poetry Foundation, 2023, www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/robert-lowell
3. “‘To Paula in Late Spring’, by W.S. Merwin.” The Merwin Conservancy, 7 March 2018, merwinconservancy.org/2018/to-paula-in-late-spring-by-w-s-merwin/.
4. “The Surprising Origins of Easter Symbols: From Lambs to Lilies.” Stillman, Janice, et al. Almanac, 28 March 2023, www.almanac.com/easter-symbols.
5. “The Glory of the Garden.” The Kipling Society, 23 February 2022, www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_glorygarden.htm.
6. “Passover.” History.com Editors. HISTORY, 28 March 2023, www.history.com/topics/holidays/passover.
7. “The History of Earth Day.” EarthDay.Org, 11 May 2022, www.earthday.org/history/.
Credits:
Images by Talulah Freed, 2023.