world water day

world water day s

world water day magnetic

Today is World Water Day.

“World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 to raise awareness about the vital importance of water to safeguarding human security and maintaining the health of the planet’s ecosystems. This year’s theme, “Water and Climate Change,” highlights the urgent importance of strengthening water security and establishing access to a sustainable water supply in the face of changing climate conditions worldwide” Read more here .

come climb out
of the lonely dark–
wander deep
blue rivers–
listen to ancient secrets
of water and light

as our footsteps answer in a timeless dance

as our footsteps angled s

we journey, a field of voices
emanating from the golden
earth, the sky pulling, lifting

the sounds into light, lifting
the wings of birds into voices
calling within a chorus of golden

majesty, the songs writ golden
on the beckoning horizon, lifting
the weight of history with voices

echoing voices—golden, hearts lifting

A tritina, for Sue Vincent’s photo prompt, above, and Jane Dougherty’s new weekly challenge. Jane featured a work from poet Francis Ledwidge, asking us to choose 3 words from his poem for Thomas McDonagh as the 3 words featured in a tritina. I chose voices, golden, and lifting.

as our footsteps s

I used metallic paint in my watercolor, but the light was not right to reflect it when I photographed it from above. I think the angled shot works well with the words as well as holding on better to the light.

I’m so happy to see Jane’s challenge has been revived–my discovery of it was a real stimulus for seriously writing poetry and using my art in conjunction with it, not to mention connecting me with many WordPress friends. And she always finds interesting art and words! I was trying to find the first one of her challenges I did, and I think it may be this one, which was part of a back-and-forth of art between my co-blogger on MethodTwoMadness, Nina, and me. Nina works in a medical office so is on the front lines so to speak. I miss her art, but applaud her, and all those working to keep us going in these uncertain times, for their important work.

I did not consult the Oracle yet today, but she was definitely looking over my shoulder for this one…

a toast

a toast comp 2s

shall
we drink
to our fears?–
summoning lost
solidarity–
drowning pain with spirit
voices that echo and join
each other in chorused silence
broken like the bread we wish to share

A nonet for Colleen’s #Tanka Tuesday, inspired by the photo provided by Padre’s Ramblings, above. The artwork has no direct relation to either the photo or the words, but the wish to merge in our isolation runs parallel to both.

I haven’t been happy with most of the art I’ve done in the past month–I was really having trouble focusing even before the world became so uncertain–but one thing I did to try to get started was just some random drawing. This is the before and after of one day’s work. I drew with pencils and then used neocolors dipped in water on top. I can’t say I’m satisfied, but maybe with some stitching on top…(the solution to many dilemmas I find)

as the crow flies

as the crow flies s

a world built of stories to dream upon–
paths to follow like rivers to the sea–
ancient horizons that stretch on and on

bordered by waves that mirror wings—a bird
reciprocating every single breath
released to the wind—a sounding, a word,

a sky that keeps its time adrift, at bay–
speaking in unknown tongues, beyond all sound–
silence that pivots both toward and away

For Sue Vincent’s photo prompt, above, an attempt at the dVerse challenge from Laura to use 3 rhyme sets from poet Raymond Garlick in 10 syllable lines. My rhythm is definitely not pentameter, although it is 10 syllabled. I think that requires more distinctly separate lines.

This is my first watercolor in quite awhile, definitely since I moved as I unpacked the paints and brushes just this morning. It felt good to get back to it.

star light star bright

raise me up
with words with singing
shout me out
pull me free
of the faceless gravity
escapeless vortex

return me
to a calmer sea
gentle winds
to nourish
star skies opening wing-filled
luminosity

give to me
a landing some place
solid ground
to answer
when I call from where I wait
undestinated

I once had an idea to do my own set of collage Tarot cards. I started with zero, The Fool, which I’ve done a number of times since. Over the years I’ve also done a few others–The Tower, the Ace of Cups. This moment in time seems to me to call out for The Star, the beacon of renewal, hope, and faith that follows the disintegrating Tower in the Tarot deck.

My windows face east, and in the clear early mornings I can see Venus. The other day, next to her, the half moon shone large and bright over the silhouettes of the buildings across the subway tracks, both anchor and comfort in a world increasingly restricted and isolated.

Linked to dVerse OLN, hosted by Grace.

penumbral

penumbral s

almost a shadow
almost an echo between
vast uncertainties

hidden voices wandering
the uncharted borderlines

This year’s Wolf Moon comes with a penumbral eclipse. For Frank Tassone’s #Haikai Challenge #120, and also linked to OLN on dVerse, hosted by Grace.

This is a watercolor with a moon photo collaged on top.

I’m going to be absent from posting for awhile, though I will try to check in with what everyone’s doing. I’m moving into a small temporary space, putting most of my stuff in storage, and hoping to move into a permanent home before 2020 is through. I won’t have a drawing table and not sure how many supplies will fit into the space, but I’ll be back to doing more work of some kind as soon as I can.

deficits

deficits s

the world gives me wide berth
as its sharp edges leave cuts in my flesh

passing by in starts and stops
a broken narrative without a plot line

I cannot remain but where I am
fits nowhere leaves no mark

feeding me endless empty words
that catch my throat and heart

I am alone

standing still shouting
an unnamed beast

trying to wake those lost strangers
hidden inside the shrinking circle

too many voices fallen silent
too many gaps grown between

what is left to be
sacred to be denied

For Sue Vincent’s photo prompt, above.

K.

lines that aim to be