In the Shadows

It's hard to get one's bearings as the landscape changes daily. I'm trying to look for and provide a tiny measure of sustenance, if possible, for myself and others who are in despair. Perhaps some strength for the fights now and ahead. On my walks I used to take pictures of this deer statue (whose name, I overheard, was George) because it was decorated for every holiday and special event. This is what George looked like last week.


I'm compiling the spring issue for Star 82 Review, my online and print magazine and looking for some nourishment for the soul there as well. And wrangling/curating a show that will be at the San Francisco Center for the Book in April, called Books of Course, which are selections (books, objects, assignments) from the teaching collections of several of my colleagues. 

A friend said she felt that every day feels like a year. That's kind of where I am right now, too. We visited the Berkeley Art Museum and I saw this. Finding Buddha in the shadows.


Comments

Me said…
I'm glad to see you posted again -- I've missed your thoughts. Just knowing one isn't alone can be comforting. I'm finding that learning about things new to me helps. I'd never heard of haibun before and I've enjoyed reading about it and also examples.
Alisa said…
Your comment is much appreciated! Thanks for reaching out, whoever you are.
I am reading through your blog and it is inspiring! I have a strange story - I have not felt that I found myself until recently - and that discovery came as a shock. I have always played with images and words - they have nurtured my all my life - after experiencing despair throughout my younger life I now rationalise it as a response to having 'aphantasia' - I only discovered this recently. I have no visual memory or imagination. For the past few years I have discovered more satisfaction than I can tell, in being able to perform some creative activity in making handmade books and designing for products at print on demand sites. It has literally given me reason to live. Understanding my 'aphantasia' has released me - I feel 'justified' in using the imagery all around me to help me create. Nature, art, literature - they are all 'soul food'. I love your Buddha shadow. Life will not end here for humanity - hope is part of the human story - resilience, strength, beauty - they will survive the most challenging of onslaught.
'The nation has collapsed, but the mountains and rivers remain.”
(8th-century Chinese poet Du Fu, reflecting on the political turbulence of his own era)
Alisa said…
Thank you for that story and your inspiring words.

Here is another quote that I only recently found—this one by Cornel West: "Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public."