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
