Thursday, June 30, 2011

Art exchange

Sometime late last year my daughter and one of the companions at Cascadia engaged in an exchange of original art created by themselves. I will give initials only here to respect their privacies. It started out one day with AFL telling me he had made a drawing that he wanted to show me. Then he opened a cupboard door, produced the mixed media drawing shown above and continued: "I made this for your daughter." I'll tell you, I was floored and so was my daughter when I brought the art piece home that evening. She absolutely loved it and right away hung it on the wall at the head end of her bed. Then I got to thinking if my daughter could give something to AFL in return and I thought of a poem she had written a few months before. She didn't think it was that great but everyone we showed it to thought otherwise so we produced a copy and I gave it to AFL the next chance I got. I'm telling you, he was so happy I could see his eyes moistening up on the spot! So here now is the poem which my daughter JAS wrote:

                    Memory
Somewhere out along the sea,
Lives a lonely Memory.
I've seen this Memory once before,
Wading near the ocean's shore.

It glides about just like a bird,
It never stops, or so I've heard.
Folks only know to believe it exists,
Some place far into the mist.

Just last week I stood alone,
Waves rolling in; a bluish tone.
I swear I saw, upon the sea,
A familiar sight, the Memory.

I'm not quite sure if it was that,
But at one time it was here that it sat.
So live a while, and possibly,
You'll come across this Memory.

JAS 2010

Thursday, June 16, 2011

from feeling to thought to paper

Here at the Christian Community I think it is fair to say that creative Spirituality is a good part of our social aspect. Past festivals come to mind where we had various workshops of many kinds, poetry contributions from more than several people and a whole assortment of artistic presentations brought forth also with people from Cascadia and the Waldorf School.
Almost exactly two months ago I had a sudden flood of ideas for this poem while I was at work at Cascadia, I had gone down to the creek to wash my hands I believe. By the time I got home that evening I had it pretty well worked out on paper but I have to admit I tweaked a few words just before I got ready to type it out here today. I am calling it:


Water trail, woodland grows

We went down to the creek today; my childhood came with me and held my hand for awhile. Invisible, nearly silent and not quite so noiseless beings came to murmur almost secret goings-ons of Spring's gradual but ever faster explosion along the water banks. My childhood smiled and spoke softly:
" These are the kinds of places you used to play in, among Nature's peaceful roots popping out of the ground and the wide spread of green boughs and different coloured blooms." The spaces between trees were calm as Sun unfolded it's golden blanket and elsewhere a woodpecker hammered on a metal furnace chimney. "Still looking for bugs?" I wondered. I thought to myself: "The woods are almost nicer now than in mid-Summer because every thing is so suddenly fresh and not over burdened." Don't get me wrong, I like most things about every season by the time it comes along. Then I went back to my work and to write this down later so I could think of it again someday and to share it with you.

(That woodpecker was heard a few times this Spring on the North Shore and I would be amazed to see who responds to say they heard it too. Once, during a Thursday morning co-worker biography presentation, it began a very loud rat-a-tat-tat on the Cascadia chimney and most everyone had a good chuckle about it!)

Monday, June 13, 2011

Vespers Tomorrow Night

If you are a parent or a teacher, by this time of year, you may be feeling frazzled, fatigued, frayed, or if you're watching the Canucks, just plain frustrated.


Tomorrow night, Rev. Locey is offering something very special for Whitsun, a vespers service. Now I may just be getting old, but I don't recall ever having a vespers service here in Vancouver before, especially not for Whitsun.


It's a very special way of being able to detach yourself from the events of the day, perhaps even dating back to the Essenes, especially when it is preceded by a community meal.


In my own limited experience, I have found it to be renewing and re-enlivening - but you'll just have to come and "see" for your Self.


If you can't make it for 6:00 for the potluck, I recommend "shooting" for the service at 7:00.


Hey - it's been 40 years - it's our turn for the Cup!





Sparky


Song for the day: Stompin' Tom Connors' Hockey Night in Canada