by ones and then zeros
“I see today that everyone on earth
wants the answer to the same question
but none has the language to ask it.”
~ Jim Harrison from Songs of Unreason
the words are lost–
rising away,
an invisible phantom
unmapped, unwinged
rising away–
this existence
unmapped, unwinged–
not am or is
this existence,
darkened by stars–
not am or is,
never and nowhere
darkened by stars,
falling like ghosts–
never and nowhere
inside time’s pocket
falling like ghosts–
an invisible phantom
inside time’s pocket–
the words are lost
I’ve been reading some of the responses to Jilly’s Jim Harrison quote prompts, and this quote from Day 21 particularly spoke to my mood these days. It also seemed to fit with Sue Vincent’s “Wings” photo prompt, above.
My writing muse has been totally absent for awhile, so I’ve just been randomly writing words and phrases in response to things I’ve been reading. Working them into pantoum forms has been an interesting exercise.
The art is watercolor with acrylic monoprint on top. Not at all what I intended, but I like the calligraphic feel; calligraphy seems a good place for lost words to rest while waiting to be found.
21 responses to “by ones and then zeros”
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- June 28, 2018 -
Welcome! Glad you found inspiration in the quote.Beautiful work!
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Thanks! I’ve really enjoyed reading the responses to the quotes. There’s a lot to find in them.
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This is gorgeous, Kerfe… the painting really does seem a fit place for those lost words.
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Thanks Sue.
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What a gorgeous write.
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Thank you!
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yes – something about those black brushstrokes speaks to me as well!
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Thanks Jodi. It was an unexpected surprise!
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There’s a lovely language In your poem— calligraphy and art meshed potently.
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Thanks Rose. Sometimes it’s good not to know where we are going! Things come together in unexpected ways.
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Exactly!
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Your words and art are So thoughtful, Kerfe
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Thanks Sharon…what a nice complement!
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This is lovely. Ethereal, like your illustration.
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Thanks Jane. I can’t concentrate enough to do collage, but watercolor seems to be what I need right now anyway. You have to work with the element of unexpected surprise.
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Sounds like a good plan. Surprising oneself is creative in itself.
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I don’t know if you noticed, but there seems to be a winged brushstroke in your piece. Almost looks like a dragonfly. Interesting post seeking for what is lost.
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Thanks Olga–it does have a bit of dragonfly! Thanks for pointing it out. Dragonflies symbolize change, so that seems appropriate.
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‘Never and nowhere/ inside time’s pocket’ … and the art is wonderful
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Thanks Janice. I am caught in circles it seems…
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