Mixtape: Oldies (N) and New Goodies (K)
the shells of my mind: beach shells
we react violently, peacefully.
Finally.
over that water I may see
what one has never seen
(or imagined to see)
ever.
freedom:
egrets flying
love: not lying
please, stop crying.
–poem by Nina, illustrated by Kerfe
I found a bunch of my old poetry when I was cleaning. A lot of it is in little sketchbooks with collages. Thirty-five years ago I was both wordy and cryptic in my verse. Probably even then I didn’t know what it meant, but there are images and phrases that still seem good to me. So I thought to remake a few and send them off to Nina to illustrate.
Turns out Nina also has old poetry, so she sent a couple off to me for an exchange. I don’t think she did any revisions on hers, but they were already short and clear and I had ideas for illustrations right away. Any opportunity to draw shells…and I’ve just been reading about labyrinths.
And when Margo at Wordgathering posted her picture prompt this week, I was amazed to see how it echoed what I was doing for Nina’s poem. Eerie.
Nina will post her illustration with my revised poem this morning…above is my original collage to accompany the original words. Also cryptic.
18 responses to “Mixtape: Oldies (N) and New Goodies (K)”
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- June 4, 2020 -
It’s a great story. I am endlessly fascinated by how things come about (being a retired English teacher, I have a strong belief in Fate). And, I’m with you on both shells and labyrinths. I love the collage.
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Thanks Margo. That’s a great painting you posted, and I’m glad my thoughts were in synch with it.
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I think this is beautiful. I wrote the poem as a fellow at the Fine Arts Workshop in Provincetown and spent a lot of time beachcombing. You captured the feeling of the seascape in winter when I was there. Thank you for your great work.
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I did think when I finished it had the same feel as that winter sea collage I did for Marcy last year. This is good, we need to do more. I love your interpretation of my words. It gives me a different view of them!
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Beautiful collage for a thought provoking poem. ✍😄
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The words were very evocative, perfect for illustration.
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Stunningly beautiful! Love it!
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Thanks Jodi.
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Really cool and just loving your collaborations N and K! That poem in particular is grabbing me. Really love it.
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Thanks Laura. We will definitely do this again!
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The poem is very amazing! Intense and full of meaning!
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I wish I knew what I was thinking when I wrote it many years ago. N.
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yes that would be cool to know!
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Wonderful image and poem.
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Thanks!
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Beautiful words, fantastic art…inspires contemplation of the meanings and images…wonderful collaborations…and the wheels keep turning. Peace.
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Thanks, yes, we could all use peace.
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