The Bell of Light
02.19.2011 There is a screen in front of each of us, a bell of light
moving over the map of the world, shadow to either side.
Green land, blue sea, silver plane, red route. We’re all in the dark
now, the bell of light has swung from east to west.
Europe and Africa are sleeping, America is awake.
When America sleeps, light will rise in Asia.
On one screen, Depardieu discovers books.
On another, some jerk is batting Julia Roberts around.
Someone’s always finding illumination.
Someone’s always bringing down the dark.
Beside me, he stretches his mouth and waves his hands in the air
like a child freed at last from school, levitating with joy.
Astonishing! This massive metal bird that carries us over America,
Greenland, Iceland, the vast Atlantic, British Isles and France.
A line of red gold shimmers at the place where sky meets earth.
We’ve shed years of weight to arrive in the City of Light,
flying into dawn,
our hearts birds of delight.
2-19-2011, Paris
Street art (c) 2011, Jérôme Mesnager
Reader Comments (9)
Floyce: You are so generous. And yes, more and more, I'm seeing art as play, not work, just the daily expression of joy in living. That's part of shedding the weight of years. I agree with you that Paris is the greatest city on earth. And since you know that, it follows that you must not miss seeing it. Won't it be fun to meet, you and Richard and me, for the first time in Paris? And Irish Cathleen will have to come and also dash over to Ireland. It's close. See you here one of these days.
Lisa: Oh, you darling. We felt as if you were on the plane with us too. I had the impression you enjoyed "La Tete en Friche" as much as I did, yes? Give our love to all the birds of Ballona Wetlands, especially Grace the white duck, and the seven geese, and the red-tailed hawk family. They have such a good friend in you. Miss you.
Love to all,
Kaaren and Richard
This is oh so beautiful. Kaaren... the poem! The images of a world sleeping, the world on the verge of regaining its color, the light and dark of life, swinging like a bell - lovely! And, Richard's image an absolutely perfect complement to the poem. Hearts free to fly...
Thank you for your inspiring post, and your inspiring lives.
Love to you!
dawna
You do know I meant enjoying the FILM "La Tete en Friche" (not the blog) with you, since you said you felt like you were there on the plane with us.
XO,
Kaaren
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You know how something fascinates you over and over again, and FINALLY you address it in a piece of writing? That's what that bell of light is to me: something I can't take my eyes off when I'm flying, as it seems like a metaphor of light itself. A musical thing.
And Richard keeps finding these great graffiti images all over Paris. We ARE having fun. You told me a long time ago that I ought to do a blog about Paris. Think of it as a LURE to get you here, this city for which you have so much feeling.
Love,
Kaaren and RIchard
I love what you're doing! It is a marvelous collage of striking imagery and poetic story. So perfect. I look forward to reading more.
I am doing many creative things in a fun city too... Screen-printing, painting, photographing and designing posters (for a graphic design class).
Sending you big hugs,
Love Bayu
aka squirrel girl
Poulet heureux!
C'est toi! So happy to hear from you, ma petite poulet. I absolutely love that film that you and Jonah and Wes made together. It's so your weird wacky sense of humor. Just love it. Keep on doing these films. And all the other art you're doing.
Can you post an image of a piece of art you've done in New Zealand? I'd love to see it. I hear from Jane and Rachel wonderful stories of your adventures in Wellington. We have quite a few gypsy souls in our family, don't we.
It will be fun to have a gathering of the tribe in New Zealand when Jane visits in April. Maybe at some point we'll trade places in N.Z. and Paris...?
We love you,
Kaaren and Richard