I HAVE BEEN ATTENDING DRAWING AND PAINTING CLASSES twice a week at South Seattle CC since 2004. I learn not only from the instructor, who –has a keen eye and imparts a sense of discovery in each student– but all of the other students as well. It is a community rich with camaraderie and support. Returning students and first time students alike share a love of art, learning and creativity.

About ten years ago the Poetry, Art and Photography professors came up with the idea of an Art-Poetry exchange. In the first exchange, art and poetry students each submit a piece of art and a poem. Each poetry student receives a piece of art and creates a poetic response to that piece. The art student creates a work of art based on the received poem. The second exchange is the big reveal when students see the interpretation of their respective works. I look forward to this exchange of ideas. I find it exciting, stimulating, and challenging to interpret the ideas of another and I have a chance to create something I might not otherwise have thought of doing. (My responses are featured here.)

“Foundation” 2011 Acrylic on canvas

Foundation by Kevin B.  2011

each tree stands on opposing edges of the plain

gazing gazing and growing out worldly

the field is nothing but dirt as their roots spread

and from the branches fall nothing but dry arid twigs

 

both seek the safe security that comes with greater land

and each fight to muscle out the other

eons pass as the roots meet in the center

and drive forwarde in to opposing territory

 

the roots tangle together

onto one solid knotted mass

of whtich fills the entirety of the dusty plain

and strains into every last gap of soil

 

this stress on the trees from underground

draws all their force from above

it pulls the branches back into the trunk

which shatters the tree and buries its splinters

 

the lifeless roots release their grasp on each other

and lose their hold on the land

the remnants fade into a fog up to the surface

and press with ribbons into the open air

 

eventually the ribbons will fade away

but for now the field is green

 

 

“Babushaka”  2010 Collage

Babushka by Jacoby M. 2010

 

An azure day

I go for a long walk

clouds sit packed like big

stacks of meringue

 

I listen to real old music

and I listen to the new

a meld of psychedleic angst

dance from ear to ear

crrash in the center of my mind

kaleidoscope of notes

never  played before

 

the fugue begins to splinter

the cat wants to eat

the dog has to pee

something has to give

 

She never sees me coming

until I am alomost right next to her

Babushka pirouettes up off the bench

she grasps her chest shoulder raise

hands clench in to fists

her liquid brown eyes

give way to solid black

 

She stares at the dog

as if she is in shgock

and there is nothing

I can do

My warm smile

it is not enough that you will

be assured and so the dog 

and I walk quickly away

 

Bubushka widow

head covered in black

trimmed in white

like Chopin’s piano

before it became kindling

on its fateful defenestration day.

“Jenny” 2009 Mixed Media Collage on Playing Cards

Jenny by Pedro  2009

 

We’ve gone through the good and bad.

I’ve helped you when you were sad.

We stayedup all through the NIGHT

Till the sunwas super bright.

We played our computer games.

The next daywe played again.

You opened up that door.

You showed me there was a floor.

We may be an ocean apart.

You’re likefamilyyou’re in myheart.

Days seem to disappear.

You showed me there was a floor.

Holy crap it’s been4 years?

We laughed while we played board games.

You always win and nothing’s changed.

One day we’ll meet for real.

I’ll greet you yesthat’s the deal.

The 2012 Art-Poetry exhibit opens January 5th at South Seattle CC.