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
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