Times of birth and growth start unseen, below the surface. Everything is dark and still unformed, yet teeming with motion. Difficulties and chaos loom. Despite this struggle, energy and resources are collected, and form begins to take shape. The young plant takes root, rises above the ground, and is brought to light.
--Hexagram #3, I Ching or Book of Changes
It's my last day in the office. I'm taking down all the pictures and postcards that I've collected over the past eight years. My nephew was born my second day of work; there's a pic of me holding him as an infant; now he can outrun me, tell better jokes, and beat me at Monopoly. Pictures overlap pictures. Another grinning nephew stands among pumpkins; a baby niece is plunked in an oversized pot surrounded by flowers; cats on the floor; cats pondering a lamp; a cat in a courtyard in Paris. An angel with a lute. Billie, Chaucer, Woody, Bessie, Ray, Janis, Bob, Uncle Walt. A 50's Tupperware party. Freud's office. Jill's winter trees. A card for Honeymoon. Andromeda chained to a rock, the serpent snaking around her with its jaws wide open. The Three Fates from the east pediment of the Parthenon. A pack of Teaberry gum. My favorite painting of the Annunciation in which, in the midst of being delivered the news of a miracle, Mary looks positively overwhelmed: who said the path to revelation and glory was easy. Kiki de Montparnasse cries round glass tears. Finally, a Kenneth Patchen painting:
NOW, WHEN I GET BACK HERE, I EXPECT TO FIND ALL OF YOU MARCHING THROUGH THE STREETS WITH GREAT BUNCHES OF WILDFLOWERS IN YOUR ARMS
3 comments:
Vogue here you come?
Vogue, here i . . . knit.Yes VL, you are spot on. I cried a bit. My head still hurts a little.
I loved the fact that you're familiar with the I-Ching Hexagram... the name of my upcoming collection is actually derived from their symbol for Simplicity. Anyway, I don't have you email address and needed to contact you. Can you email me at mclnyc@yahoo.com. It's michelle from Soho.
Thanks!
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