Okay, that sounds either more adventurous or more grim than I intended. As far as I know, I’m not going anywhere at the moment, so let me explain. I was recently asked to contribute to an upcoming exhibit at ArtSpace in Loveland (Colorado)* by writing an ekphrastic poem to accompany a photograph by Robin Snyder. It’s a beautiful close-up of what I believe to be a couple of African violet leaves–NOT pictured below–so I wrote a poem called “Leaving.” I don’t have the right to share either the photo or the poem with you here, but I can offer you a few of my leafy photos to get you in the spirit of it:

And here’s one of my favorites from Courtney . . .

Ekphrastic poetry is simply writing a poem in response to a work of art. What I love about it is that by focusing on artistic details, I find that my mind opens in a fresh way to other images and ideas.

In this case, Robin Snyder’s photo is primarily of the beautiful underside of one of the leaves, with the prominent veins and striking coloration, which I noticed was so much more interesting than the other leaf in the photo, “right-side” up, showing only the smooth, perfect top we normally see. How could I not see a lesson there? How much energy do we all put into showing only the most perfect, smooth version of ourselves?

Then I noticed how the spread of the veins resembled the extensor tendons that become increasing visible on aging hands, mine, certainly, but I also David’s at the end, when the world was no longer in his grasp, when all he could do was take the outstretched merciful hand of God bringing him home, as he left this world behind.

I pray for you today, that the things you’re leaving behind are worry, shame, resentment, bitterness and their ilk, and that you get to keep your dear ones for a while longer. I hope you cherish every day.

Grace and peace to you, my friends, as we leave 2023 and head into this new year!

*I’ll be reading my poem during Loveland’s monthly Night on the Town. Here’s more info, in case you’d like to see the exhibit and hear the poems: https://visitloveland.com/events/night-on-the-town-4/