SPARK - the Internet project that pairs writers with visual artists for mutual inspiration - is always fun, but always a challenge, too. SPARK 19 just came to a close and proved more of a challenge than usual! Because of work commitments and other plans I had only a few days to shoot within the ten day limit participants are given to complete their work.

My inspiration piece conjured images of old people, and things related to the end of life, but I just couldn't find a suitable subject. As the time limit approached, I created a collage of some things I'd found which related to the poem, and tried to evoke the feeling of the words. The result is very different from my usual style!

SPARK 19 Response Piece (Untitled)

Here's my inspiration piece:

Hospice

When she’s rocking in a chair of silence,
swaying between now and then,
her world may not be silent
as she drifts into the distant past-
To listen.

Her senses focused inward
on voices near and far –
those melodies from long ago: a child’s laughter, a lover’s song,
the winds that moved her life along- and blew the echoes
Into the stillness.

The rush of youth just slipped away
leaving wordless images that make her smile
and so much empty time to fill -
to fill with thoughts, and thoughts, and thoughts
While waiting.

No words can set today apart when today comes once again,
yet ticking moments in these precious weeks
are gifts that some receive
to have that time to listen, remember, and reflect –
In peace.

Donna Kendall, 2013

The official SPARK pairing page is here:

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Here's the Image I provided to Donna:

I Nexus

Here is Donna's response:

Durus

He whispers - that the leopard still has spots
and the lion has its mane
but the she-wolf can be found no more
among all who are the same.

Alone - that poet stands upon the precipice
of verse that plunged us all
past reefs of frozen currents
where all alike may dwell.

Obscured by unbelief, his shadow pines away
where night and day have all but gone.
In the city that no longer weeps
lie the cold-sober shades of self-pardon.

Yet, his song still haunts our foolish games
while fog enshrouds the wrong
and pop-lit fantasies
have tainted epic songs.

Scheming hunters and their gatherers
have grown eyes instead of hands
and hearts which reached for others
withdrew within again.

Yet he whispers - that the leopard still has spots
and the lion has its mane,
but the she-wolf can be found no more
among all who are the same.

Donna Kendall, 2013

The official SPARK pairing page is here: