Leaves: A New Perspective

Leaves: A New Perspective


Spiraling downward on invisible currents,
Sailing on updrafts, leveling, landing
Gathering as a conference; colorful and individual
As members of a happy crowd
They dance and gossip
On the tarmac that is my drive
Moving in as close as possible to my door
Waiting there, quietly, out of the range of fall gusts
A steadily growing crowd of fall leaves
Their last wings
Final meeting
Waiting


It has frustrated me in past falls
This constant gathering, whispering, waiting
That they do at my doorway
As if hoping to sneak in on sneakers
Or breeze in on boots
Keeping me sweeping, sweeping
No end it always seems to the
Trail of crumbled colors
Descending into dust
To be vacuumed up
Discarded and dumpstered
A constant chore


As they leave the classroom, the group of teens
Who have sat and shared
discussed and drawn characters from their imaginings
For the last hour and a half
A fasting from the fall fury of school
And homework, SAT’s, exams
I complain about the levee of leaves that blocks the door.
Hearing them crunch beneath Rebooks, Nikes,
My background chorus as I say,
“Goodnight, have a good week.”
“They are all gathering here,” they cheer
“They love your house!!!”


Leaves, gathering here in safe haven?
Nature’s palette of creative colors
Floating, hovering, piling one on another
Inviting games like dig potato
Or offering to model
For rubbings or paintings
Or even just reminders of the myriad of colors
That only fall can conjure
Leaves for lessons
In letting go or going with the flow
A new perspective:
Leaves

Mellow Musings.....

   As I walked into my studio this morning, picked up my pen and began to journal, I realized I had allowed this week to get so busy that I had neglected this for a few days.  When I do neglect to journal I am not quite of the same awareness in my day.  Somehow, saying a conscious hello to flowering lilies floating on sun-sprinkled pond, talking to the fishes (Heloise, Abelard and St. Francis), acknowledging how simply good it feels to breathe and stretch--to be alive--and being grateful--these things awaken me more, not just to the day but to "joie de vivre."

This morning, though still summer warm, there was that scent of fall on the gentle breeze that played the chimes in my garden.  For me fall is a time for hikes in the woods, biking on the Katy trail, and workshops.
The Artful Journal workshop is filled for Sept. 25, but if you are interested in this workshop do let me know, as I will be organizing another one at a later date.

I also want to remind you of the opening of my exhibit, "Abundance," at American Bounty Restaurant in Washington, MO on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2:00 to 5:00 PM.  This is a wonderful time of year to take a drive in the country, stop in and say hello at my opening, and enjoy sipping some wine at one of the beautiful wineries in the area.

If my post this morning seems a bit mellow, it is because September brings me to a mellow mood.  As we enter the fall of the year I find myself instrospecting about the year thus far.  For me it has been a year of major, yet meaningful change.  I am excited to be back to doing more workshops.  My artwork feels more inspired, and so many things seem to be just flowing.  I feel at peace and so very grateful.

This week, my daughter-in-law, Renee Groenemann, Growth Director at Grace Tree Studio in Cincinnati, sent a contract to me for retail items they will be carrying in their gift shop.  She asked for an inventory of the work and an explanation of how it would be "A Purchase With Conscience." I found this a very thought provoking question.  For me doing anything with "conscience" means doing something that supports my deepest beliefs.
Here is my response:

"Art speaks from the very core of the artist, and those who resonate with a work of art are connecting with that artist's soul.  So if you connect with my art to the degree that you want to take it home and live with it, you have a conscious recognition of that connection......it is here, in this deep place where we are all ONE.  Here we understand that to support another is also to support ones self.  If my work touches you on this level then certainly your purchase of my art is supporting me on that same deep level......therefore, it is a purchase with conscience."

May you experience this beautiful day with a fullness of conscience.