to belong
is a feeling–not
words over
heard in pass
ing, but a garment to wear–
it keeps you warm, this
chorus sung
by many voices–
it tells you
how to clear
your self, opening to be
come filled, become found
Sarah at dVerse shared with us once again the paintings of Fay Collins, and asked us to write to what we see in her images. I did not pick any particular landscape, but used the entirety of her work as inspiration for both my words and my watercolor, which reflect her immersion in and love of the earth.
Also linking to earthweal, where Brendan has asked us to praise what matters.
You can see the work of Fay Collins here.
K. 
it’s so interesting that you tackled the theme of ‘belonging’, Kerfe… not where I’d expect you to go, based upon past interactions of ours.
I love that you drew inspiration from her entire body of works.
❤
David
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Her painting make it clear that she felt a special kinship with these landscapes. She belonged to those places. Just because I don’t feel it myself, doesn’t mean I can’t recognize it.
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Belonging like a garment one wears………how wonderful a thought that is. I think many have lost that sense of belonging, of connection, and therein lies some of our problems.
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I think that’s true Sherry. I wonder how we can, as a species, recover it.
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Very celestial feel to this image if one looks beyond the illusion of blue sky. Love it. ❤
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Thanks Olga. The cosmos always creps into my work.
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Those opening lines resonate so strongly with me Kerfe, as I return to the place I grew up and feel this overwhelming sense of belonging which I had missed without realising.
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I can feel it in what you’ve been writing Ingrid.
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Belonging, like a garment to be worn. Yes, it is safety and comfort. All praiseworthy indeed.
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Thanks Yvonne.
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The opening has it exactly right—belonging has nothing to do with either what people think or the bureaucracy of passports and citizenships.
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I wasn’t thinking of that, but it’s true–our relationships with the landscape transcend any human maps.
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Belonging is so much more what you feel than anything else.
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It is. Thanks Bjorn.
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It’s a lovely poem, and the artwork is great, too. Your colour palette is very evocative of Fay’s work.
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Thanks Sarah. I love her colors especially.
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I love your watercolor… and how you describe the feeling of belonging!
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Thanks Dana.
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Belonging as “a garment to wear” is a stunning metaphor that just . . . fits. Brilliant. And such lovely watercolors to complement your words, Kerfe.
Pax,
Dora
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Thanks Dora.
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What a beautiful tribute this is! I found myself so drawn in by both your verses and watercolor, a transcendent piece! 😍
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Thanks Tricia.
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What a lovely thought and I really like your images too.
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Thanks Suzanne.
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ooh I like these, your artworks and the poem … a sense of ‘belonging’ seems crucial to a fulfilling life!
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It does. Thanks Kate.
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to become filled, become found- that’s beautiful.
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Thanks.
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Filled and found means here with all kin. Amen.
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Thanks Brendan.
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Kinship, affinity…something we may search a lifetime for and never find…except in nature. Your art captures the same feeling and movement as your poem, and in many was, in its precise colors, the art of Collins as well. A vivid and satisfying take on both challenges.
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this is a garment I can see on a rack or on another, but have not in my wardrobe. perhaps someday.
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Also true for me. But that does not mean I don’t know and appreciate its power when I see it.
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The opening line tugs upon my heart! Yes, it is undoubtedly a feeling! 💝💝
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Thanks Sanaa.
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Belonging never came easily to me.
Your poem and picture choices are beautiful.
~ornery owl~
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Thanks.
As David and I have discussed ( see his comment above) belonging is not an easy state for me either.
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Beautiful words and art–it does capture Fay’s body of work, but the poem stands alone, too (as in all sorts of belonging).
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Thanks Merril. Reciprocity has many sides.
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Beautiful beautiful – I sometimes feel that it is this alone that will pull us through – this sense of being the longing – of belonging to wide beautiful Earth.
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Thanks Lindi. We must hold on to it if we can.
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Wish we could all wear a garment of belonging to this earth, not the earth belonging to us. Perhaps we’d take better care of it. Love your poem.
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Thanks Myrna. That’s exactly right.
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