Reassembling themselves,
they are closing the gaps,
weaving the severed limbs
into an approximation
of their original form–
Crazy quilt rag dolls
taking deep breaths–
as if returning from a long dive,
as if tossed ashore
by the rhythm of the waves–
As if what was taken away
could be returned complete,
restored–as if the worn skin
could become brand new again–
smooth, unmarked by the usages
Of time–the eye brightened,
cleared by swimming in seas
of remembered beginnings–
immersed and baptized, forgiven,
and then reborn again
This is a response to one of Sue Vincent’s photo prompts, above, from May of this year. I’m not sure why I never finished it, although deciding I needed to embroider the mandala was part of it. But I also only just revisited and revised the poem.
I have many many unfinished projects, and it always feels good to take one off the pile. Now will I have time to do this weeks’ prompt?
Also linking to dVerse Open Link Night, hosted by Grace.
K. 
The mandala is perfect for the poem, Kerfe…and ‘seas of remembered beginnings’ evokes such mystery while answering its own questions.
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Thanks Sue. I was pleased with the way the painting echoed the photo, but also worked with my words.
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It certainly did that, Kerfe .
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That was a trip around the world. I’d never have seen all that in those dry sisters.
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The woven fibers were what struck me from the start. The textile arts are transformative I think.
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To be able to work the transformation you need the eye of an artist though.
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This is a very good poem, Kerfe. I liked the rag doll imagery.
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Thanks Robbie.
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Your stitched mandala looks like the arms of the witches, converging in the center, and you used the same colors. So inventive! And the witches are reborn in the sunlight.
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Thanks Jade. The fiber aspect of them definitely stood out for me. The flexibility and transformability.
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Lovely rich write – lots to admire here, Kerfe… Regards Scott
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Thanks Scott.
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Great pieces Kerfe, both the poem and the art
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The mandala floats, serene and all knowing. Comforting. I don’t know if this has anything to do with anything but that’s how I saw it. Wonderful.
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Thanks Claudia. I was definitely thinking of healing, repairing. So I like that view.
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Nice lines: “Crazy quilt rag dolls
taking deep breaths–” I liked the rebirth at the end.
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Thanks Frank. I can’t be gloomy all the time…
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Love the transformation in the end. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Grace. Life these days needs transformation I think.
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Love the stitching you added to your mandala! Gives it an interesting dimension. 😊
I find that creating art can be healing when I go through difficult times… lately I have been struggling so I have fallen a little behind on commenting. 💗
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Thanks Jill. The stitching is definitely calming for me.
It’s hard to keep up, especially when life is overwhelming. I am always glad to see you when you can manage it! and I’m hoping Nina will return soon too.
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You are so very talented, Kerfe. I absolutely love the mandala and the poem, without having seen the photo, made me think of the people in the Bahamas trying to pull their lives together again in the wake of hurricane Dorian.
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Thanks so much Victoria. I see the connection too. So many these days who have to do that. Too many.
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Thanks Sue!
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So much to see in those rag dolls… you just have to use your imagination
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Thanks Bjorn. always.
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This poem is a deep dive. patterns that catch us from the beginning of a net, but not to drag us apart, but to rejuvenate and regenerate, when the world itslef bows under its weight, it takes a deep breath, and we are exhaled into that diaspora of love and forgiveness and being. There is a symmetry to Grace’s poem this cycle… a sense that everything will collapse, only to be revelaed (Grace’s poem) and reborn (in your poem) through love. And the picture to see the spreading reticulated sky and the fields, and straw shadows… all finally lying together, in lovely kknowlege. love this.
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Thanks Lona. Your observations always show me something new. Now I need to go back and read Grace’s poem again.
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