The following 'found' poem hangs on a wall in my kitchen. I assembled it some years ago after happening upon a bin of defunct supermarket signage in a scrap yard. I was on the lookout for building materials for my studio at the time. Each word or combination of words was a separate piece back then.; turn it around and you'll find a labyrinth of duct tape holding it all together. (Where would we be without duct tape?) This odd and slightly comical word image sums up for me, life's kitchen; the necessity, incongruity and crazy unpredictability of its sweet and savoury ingredients. Toss a bit of hardware in amongst the honey and pickles, add a light bulb, a tube of toothpaste and a pair of pantyhose and we're set to go. . .
Wherever and with whomever you gather this Christmas - whether around a table, a picnic hamper or hospital bed; on a beach, atop a mountain, in a family home, on a friend's porch; with snow and stars in the dark or beneath sunshine and blue skies in warmer climes. . . let us feast and be thankful. Life has been tough on many counts this year. May the muscles we've grown serve us and each other well.
Thank you all for being such a rich part of my year, integral to my staying upright - no matter the lurches and malfunctions, the gnarly knots and finer silk threads. . . Heavens, 2010's been a mega-balancing act. I know it's been so for many of you, too. What a gift our community is. Take care, have fun and stay safe over the holidays - xo
Egg yolk tree
Strawberry starfish
And the same wishes,like a balanced boomerang,back to you,Claire.
ReplyDeleteWonderful foods on your list, Claire, redolent with comfort. Have a lovely Christmas.
ReplyDeleteFeast and be thankful! Yes, in spite of most of us suffering more than we deserve. 2010, 2011 . . . on and on. Trouble--it's always something. But so far so good. Be well! Dear Claire, I smiled as I read your post and looked at the delightful pictures.
ReplyDeleteWe have been beacons for one another, Claire. Thank you for the light you've shone into difficult hidden places--and this community would be darker by many beams without your presence in this gruesome year. Perhaps because we've all linked hands so securely this year, 2011 may go a little easier as long as we remember to be grateful. L, M
ReplyDeleteclaire--the pictures are so wonderful, childlike, joyful!!
ReplyDeleteyour warmth and thoughtfulness shine through as always.
thank you--and enjoy!
see you next year!
xo
susan
You're a master of serendipitous delights. Happy Christmas, Claire.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Your starfish strawberry reminds me of the star at the heart of every apple ... Merry Christmas, Claire.
ReplyDeleteBlog stops, like Christmas eve calls with my grandparents nearly 60 years ago, feel like company and celebration. Tea with canned milk (for their Englishwoman friend the war was not so long over) for the child, candy and fruitcake. My plate is full here, the treats so generous and sweet.
ReplyDeleteWe will dance around the egg yolk tree. xo Merry Christmas
Happy Christmas, yesterday? Or today. love,
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Happy Holidays, Claire. Be safe. Thank you for your presence in the world.
ReplyDeletexo
Rachel
MERRY BELATED CHRISTMAS CLAIRE AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!
ReplyDeleteDinah - a balanced boomerang? Now that's something I like the sound of. They do always come back, don't they. . . I heard a story recently about a boy who threw his into a high wind. It disappeared, of course. A couple of years later he - the no-longer-so-young boy - found it washed up on a river bank beside the camping ground he'd pitched his tent on/in; easily identified by his initials carved into the wood ; ). Thanks for your recent snake story! Loved it. And it made me nostalgic for Africa, which is not at all a bad thing ; )
ReplyDeleteDear Elisabeth - a bit of this, a bit of that?! One has to be careful when biting into a light bulb, but aside from that most things become digestible with a little patience and perseverance? Thanks for the great conversations this past year, Elisabeth - and happy holidays to you and your family, too.
ReplyDeleteDear Mim - yes, 2010 has been a year like no other; memorable for the very best and worst of it. Sigh. But, we have each other, daybreak and dusk, plants that grow and waves that crash and re-form. There have been many high points, too; not least this online community - and you in it. Thanks for your generous presence no matter what, Mim. I wish you a new year that's in full support of your writing and surprising in all the best possible ways. Love, Claire
ReplyDeleteDear Sparrow, we have been beacons for each other, yes. And I am grateful - ever so grateful. Long may our torches burn, and ever more brightly. L, C xo
ReplyDeleteDear Susan - it's very childlike, this eggy tree ; ) (your saying so takes me back to soft-boiled eggs and toast soldiers!). . . getting to know you over these past months has been a joy, Susan. I have loved looking at the world through your eyes; it's always a pleasure to spend time on your blog and to connect up on the many others we both visit. How can one not believe in magic and miracles, I wonder? Love to you, Claire
ReplyDelete. . . and you, dear John, are a master of mnemonics (I think!), of new and old worlds, micro-vision, and a whole lot more besides.
ReplyDeleteKeep the fires burning over in Tipperary . . .C
Helen - you are right (I had forgotten), there IS a star at the heart of every apple. Lovely! Thank you for refreshing our memory. Happy days - C
ReplyDeleteMarylinn, a pleasure as always to link arms in a dance with you. I am mystified and thankful that we ended up in the same dance hall; it's been heartening indeed to look across the room and find you there, stepping out of the old and into a whole set of new steps. One, two, three; three, two three. . . and up and on ; )
ReplyDeleteL, C xo
Rebecca, Radish King - (I love that you're a female king, btw). It's days since Christmas, but thanks for your wishes; I've been elsewhere and otherwise slooooower than slow in getting back here. I hope you and the surfer are enjoying a splendid and creatively lavish few days at the sea. L, C xo
ReplyDeleteRachel, thank you, too. I'm so glad we met over at Rebecca's and then at Marylinn's (me being all weepy and wobbly on R's blog that very first meeting, remember?!). . . I hope you've been feeling better; what a time you've had. It's been the oddest Christmas, hasn't it? I'd have liked to come over with a bunch of stories, a pot of nourishing soup. Take care, dear Rachel. Love, Claire x
ReplyDeleteJan - hello! I was happy to see you'd returned to your blog after what's seemed like a very long time away! Can we look forward to seeing more of you? I hope so. Happy holidays and New Year to you, too.
ReplyDelete