A message from the Oracle inspired by Sue Vincent’s photo prompt, above.
It seemed to call for an appearance by the birdlings.
night child
sails the ghosts of star angels
born into the breath
of winged trees
oceans flying on air
sky opening itself
like some foolish heart
on fire
caught by elements–
stand inside, dance the vortex–
become a flower
For Colleen’s #TankaTuesday, inspired by the photo chosen by Merril, above.
My poem “personifications” is posted along with the others selected for the challenge artwork “Salome” by Henri Regnault on The Ekphrastic Review today.
Regnault’s piece is well known but not typical of artists’ interpretations of the Biblical story (which has been altered in our consciousness by time and retelling also). Most painters choose to show either the dance, perhaps accompanied by a disembodied head, or a close up of a woman with a head on a platter. Here we have a woman, sitting, with a platter and a sword but no head. Is it supposed to be empowerment?
My collage, too, follows neither common narrative. I knew I had a dark female figure in the collage box that I wanted to use, and in the search for her I pulled out other elements that seemed to fit with her and my poem.
I always thought the story of Salome was just another example of humans refusing to take responsibility for their own actions and desires. None of the behavior, certainly, merits imitation. Blind obedience is just as bad as passing the buck (see: current world “leaders” and their followers…)
Once again, thanks to Review editor Lorette C. Luzajic for selecting my poem and supporting the call and response of poetry and art. You can read all the poetry and see the original artwork here.
I also really like Redon’s Salome, below.
this persistent grey
magnifies the compressed dark–
dawn heavy with dusk
squirrels search for buried treasure–
seeds in wait for light’s return
For Frank Tassone’s #Haikai Challenge #117. I was going to do a completely different collage, but once I pulled out the handmade paper, I decided that stitching some together was what was needed. I haven’t done any stitching for awhile, and it was good to get back to it.
The squirrels have been very busy lately.
Jude, at Tales Told Different, nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award and asked all his nominees to answer 11 questions. I thought to do a collage, but then I decided I needed to add a few words…well, the Collage Box Oracle will have her way. Still, she managed to incorporate most of the questions into her answers.
Here is my list of answers:
horror
1/3 meat
walking
singer
West Side Story
wine
Scotland
blend in
wet
sunrise
cat
You can read the questions here. And do look at Jude’s writing while you’re there!
somewhere dawn is singing–
she rises walking aquatic
through lochs and isles
inside the sounds of words
become a friend to fear
eat light
drink the dazzling day
winter leaves, overlapping
with cold wind, rain,
clouds that permeate
each every day
footsteps too heavy
to follow another
enclosed in lethargy,
the hours devoid
of song, stagnant
from here to anywhere,
held in pause–
each day a tunnel
searching for openings–
starsunmoon
glowing
A quadrille for Lillian at dVerse, using the word glow.
I always like to photograph my art in natural light, but it’s so dark here today, I also did some with the overhead light on. It gives everything a yellow tone, and doesn’t show the subtle shifts in the color any better. Maybe they’re too subtle.
I visited the Collage Box Oracle for Sue Vincent’s photo prompt, below.
all life is flow
we mix and match waves that return
only to disappear
step into each moment–
illuminate whatever it is with wonder
The photos made some interesting thought combinations too. But then the Oracle is like that.
