#atelierchallenge

2022 #1

Prompt: Russian dolls and stories they tell.

China | 2018

Xiamen, Fujian 福建厦门

My grandfather standing in front of the alley (unseen in the photo) where my late great-grandfather’s house was located.

—————————————————————————

Where we finally rest our heads

On the cushions of understanding

That holds no space for any argument,

Where we find a warm bed

To stretch those muscles

Taut with the strain of undue engagements,

Where we drink the peaceful melodies

Of our long mindful breaths,

And we allow ourselves

To sprawl, shimmer and radiate happiness,

Weaving the memory of this day

Into every part of our consciousness,

So that whenever some days ahead

Seem too long and endless

We'll have something nice

To reminisce

If you travel past the fields,

The forest,

The lake,

And finally,

The rolling hills;

You’ll come to a wall.

It’s so tall,

You cannot climb it;

It’s so strong,

You cannot get through it;

It’s so long,

You cannot get around it.

No one knows when it was built or why;

It just exists

Like the earth and the skies.

It has been a part of everything

And probably will be there

Long after everything dies.

What was it originally for you ask,

Hmm …. Maybe it was

A lover,

A mother,

A philosopher,

A guardian,

A shoulder to cry on,

A secret,

Or maybe it could have

A tyrant,

A monster,

A prison,

A rouge sentinel,

An omen,

An obstacle,

I don’t know.

Maybe time will tell -

One day.

--Raven in the Matchbox

CURIOSITY

Remaining material has served its purpose. Purpose accomplished, what to do with it? Plastic packaging is a good example. Before it is bio-degraded or recycled it surrounds us on all sides, in quantities. Well, well, well why don't we use it to create, curious, mentally challenging images?

~zd

Complementary Colors: February Challenge Abstract Challenge - @stephiramona 

Atelier Challenge # 3  Resiliency

look for gratitude during hardship

help others instead

of too much brooding

find a method for coping

through giving time or resources

when schools shut down Friday

I was frustrated until I learned

students in my community

still need lunches until schools resume

I went out and bought as much

as the store manager would permit

and when we returned home,

my daughter smiled knowing

a lot more kids would smile today

suddenly we both realized

we are not defined by work and college

we are defined by the humanity

that circumstances instill in us

if we develop compassion, character

if we care for our neighbors

and those who need

then life becomes

the greatest blessing

and hardship can find healing

Rhapsodyinblue45// school lunch

Image: From Daily Calm

3.16.20

standing in darkness

middle of emptiness

crimson love surrounding

unreachable, unattainable

forever a lonely voyeur

viewing love's passion

a long distance warrior

wanting to get burned

feel its flame melt this ice

Copyright @followcb | February 16, 2020