The Journey of the Neshama

The painting below happened one night recently, created with plates full of extra paint. After a paint workshop, I was left with puddles of excess acrylic paint in shades of blue, purple and pink. I hate waste, so I started to let it flow on a large canvas (36 x 48) until some shapes started to come through the blur. After a few hours (maybe around 2 am), eventually a small glowing figure appeared, basking in the light. It felt to me like a depiction of a neshama, waiting (can you see her below?) -- and then I picked up a pen and started to write about her, from a place of longing and confusion. The poem below is the result of that writing:

The Journey of the Neshama

Alone, the neshama waits

Like a lonely dove

Perched atop a cliff

Staring into the abyss below

It appears as a raging sea

Deep and dark in the storm

How can I make this journey

She wonders, in fear

How will I make it back to the light

On the other side of the abyss

When my wings will be clipped

And I cannot fly across

I cannot descend, she protests

I see there will be so much pain

And I see that in my pain,

I will hurt other people

And I may harm myself

Please do not send me there

Then, a still small Voice whispers

My dove, do not be afraid

There will be pain on this journey

But also so much joy

And the pain will make you a vessel

To receive and reflect My light

My dove, I will be with you

Whenever you feel alone

You can get still and quiet

And I will be there in the silence

Reminding you, in your pain

To be kind to yourself

I trust you to carry this burden

To bring light into My world

I will be waiting, says the Voice

So she holds on to the light

Guards it somewhere within

As she prepares to descend