Sunday, August 2, 2015

Augsut 2, 2015 The Sunday Whirl/ Love and Longing -- Poets United/ Poets Pantry 263

Love and Longing

the river flows in its' bank              it gurgles                     but does not reveal

its' longing                   as an emerging artist              i have wondered

from where i emerge                and for what i long                is it from the unknown

as in the legend of the hopi                             or from the shallows of the river

on which i ride             moss hangs from the trees       which grow above the river....

i am reminded of the artist from caddo parish                 in northwestern Louisiana

clyde connell           she said “she was in a different world and it became a part of her”

the inspiration for her work        was the moss which hung down     she created sculpture

born of a simple need                       wanted it to look as if it grew out of the earth

and was trying to reach the moss       which hung down            she heard swamps songs

made by the swamp orchestra           sounds of night herons, owls, frogs, cicadas, crickets

and the winds of the night                           inventing intricate calligraphic notations

on large rolls of brown paper



...in the desert there is no moss hanging down                the air is clear and dry

everything is of the earth                reaching up                         like a prayer

rocks and bones                   sunshine and shadows                    colors intense to pale

it is here i create my work                         it is not the world where i grew up

like clyde connell                 “i am in a different world and it has become a part of me”

my work like the desert                  is austere                           the shapes are simple

i record colors         intense to pale                                  it is the essence of the desert

i track my footprints across the sand                             in my work i wear no mask

                                                                                     ...it reveals my love and longing
August 2, 2015

Note: Clyde Connell (1901 – May 2, 1998) was an American self-taught abstract impressionist sculptor. Her works are known for reflecting the nature of Louisiana and the culture of Jim Crow South.                                                                                   Wikipedia










14 comments:

Jane Shoenfeld's Art Adventures in the SW said...

very nice annell, I like the rhythm, sounds and sentiment. Thanks for posting and sharing.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

This is one of your best, Annell. I so love it! So many beautiful images........I especially love the swamp songs.......then the desert - "everything is of the earth/reaching up/ like a prayer." Wonderful!

Unknown said...

Agreed with Sherry, this is truly one of your best poems.. the images here are so lovely :D

Unknown said...

Why is blogger showing me as unknown.. Sanaa here

Mary said...

I like your descriptions here very much. And when you mention it is not the land where you grew up, I understand that....but it seems you have adapted very, very well.

Donna@LivingFromHappiness said...

The wonderful contrast between the swamp and desert is fabulous Annell.

ZQ said...

I continue to enjoy your style and your writing.
ZQ

C.C. said...

The contrasts and comparisons here are so effective....and your description of them paints such love and longing :-)

Purba chakraborty said...

"in my work i wear no mask...it reveals my love and longing" ~ How beautiful this is! That's what work should mean for every artist.

Old Egg said...

The desert dead to so many is so alive and varied, random almost and much like the deserts in Australia are so inspiring. The style of your artwork is so geometric but intricate but has that same inspiration of the deserts finding the subtle variations in it to delight the eye.

brenda w said...

Wonderful work, Annell! Your phrasing explores your process and connection to the land with beautiful detail.

Jae Rose said...

rocks and bones..sunshines and shadows...what a beautiful part of this tapestry and focus

Torie said...

'in my work i wear no mask', what a line. Such truth in those words, annell. What a beautiful truth it is :)

Gen Giggles said...

Great poem, the attempt to meet the world where we are is quite a task to take on.

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