Passing Through brings together of the upper world and the lower world, or any two worlds that are opposed to each other. Set in our political climate, the joining is the break-through, the energized dissolution of boundaries. The gold spot, so necessary to the design of the painting, is the glimmer of hope that maybe our worlds can come to some understanding and acceptance of differences.

I am working with a new technique of pasting mulberry paper on top of my initial painting. This gives me an extra layer to work on, and a way to create more depth into my painting.  The asemic writing brings in some energetic lines without placing meaning on the strokes, beyond what the viewer sees.

Passing Through

I borrow this dust
from a lonely planet—
earth rotting and dry,
scaffolding sent to the heavens,
wanting more.

I borrow this heart
from a worn out soldier
sharing a victory or defeat,
lost in the questions,
lost in himself.

I borrow these eyes
from the one who sees
beyond the surface
into the lagoon of many faces,
into the water of life.

I hold it all, heart in hand,
visions of better days—
freer, more alive.
My longings cast on the mountain,
scattered.

Some held back to ignite me now
as I rise through the blanket of ash
wafting through snippets of dreams—
trying to make sense 
of the path I’m on.

Consoling the losses,
encouraging the remains.