When it's over, I want to say all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.
~ from "When Death Comes" by Mary Oliver
Ephemeral II
ingredients: vintage book cover, antique photograph, vintage/antique ephemera, vintage buttons, acrylic ink, pencil, artist pens, vintage textiles, pin, lace, leaves, featherAsk the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
from "Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front" by Wendell Berry
Beautiful! I love all the old materials you used and I love that poem, one of my favorites. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you Annie! That is one of my favorite poems, too; Mary Oliver is wonderful.
DeleteIt's as well to contemplate the end of one's life. Let's all hope it has been a celebration most of the time.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Jo. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteWoW! this has a really strong and regal look! NICE!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sue; I'm glad you like the piece.
DeletePut your faith in the two inches of humus
ReplyDeletethat will build under the trees
every thousand years...... Food for thought.
Your latest mixed media piece is striking, Sharmon. The vintage book cover is so deliciously rich and a great background for your exquisite bird skeleton.
Yes, whenever I can't rememeber what's really important, I try to think of this poem.Thanks so much for the kind words, Robyn.
Deleteexquisite
ReplyDeleteThank you Mo, you're so sweet!
Deletethat poem speaks to me utterly.
ReplyDeletethe skeletal bird is just perfect for the piece.
Thank you, Monica. That is one of favorite poems.
ReplyDeleteGreat way to organize, preserve, and present precious bits and pieces, and perfect poems to underline the intent of the piece, in particular the Mary Oliver one. (gee, I think I used up my quota of the letter "p" for the day!)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynne, for all the kind words, especially all those "p's"! I do love me some alliteration! :~)
DeleteI love your work! Every little piece is part of a
ReplyDeletelarger puzzle...or 2...and it just makes perfect
sense to
me. ♥
Thanks so much, Lisa; I'm happy to hear that my work touches you that way...
Delete