Etchings Upon My Soul

In 1999, Di and I took a book printing and book making class.

Neither of us knew what we were in for but on the first day of class we formed a bond with Bonnie, a professor and that bond continued through the years even though the last time I saw her was at the last benefit that was given in Di's honor.  

Printmaking is a passion of Bonnie's and she has published many of her works and is a joy to just "chat" with. 

Di made a wonderful book that she wrote about family and raising a family and she put her "Di spin" on it and brough both humor and her incitefulness to the entire process.

We spent a lot of long evenings in the art lab setting type, pre printing, printing and sewing and binding books.

Di's book was featured at the opening of the Book Arts Gallery and she sold some copies of it too.

The book that I did was written and inspired by the people that have had a profound influence on my life.  Little did I know when I was writing the text for my book, I was writing in the present then, Di with me, around me and offering unsolicited comments (she was one of the few that had read my writings over the years), about the future of what is today and tomorrow and what the next phase of my life will hold.

We sometimes look at the present as the "now" and "here" and not as the "what will become"

Profound people and things effect and affect us forever...

"Etchings"

We live within a byway of memories
that bind us to one another
Peering back and looking forward
retracing footsteps
pondering in the future for enlightenment

taking comfort in the outreaches

of the past for serenity

We weave in and out

as the strands of fibers interlock
creating the quilts of our lives

gilded so intricately and precise,

ardent and surrounding us with opulence

We find a secure place between

here and there with affinity

as we turn the tattered pages of our lives

We open new chapters

and close those ones

that we had not expected to...

unforgettable bonds forged

as the seasons change,

fall to spring, summer to winter

And with the brisk air
or the first snowflake

We sometimes find clarity
lingering in the background
awaiting our invitation
of realization
as we are balancing our lives
on a string and trying just to survive

We and you and us and I
cause the impressions on our souls
that are imprinted as etchings
within the lock and key of life
like ripples on a body of water
they cause effects that linger

Concluding how quickly
our days go by with
the tickin' of the clock
as the sunrise burns in
and blinds us momentarily
as we recollect and reminisce

Poignant portraits of you and us and we, weather time
Holding hands and sharing smiles
Flourishing with friends and confidants
Allowing us to dictate who we are as we live with
compassion, distinction and forthrightness
Watching tremendous thunderstorms together
Long nights reminiscing through lengthy conversations

Tears shed for those we lost and
hugs that surrounded us while we questioned fate
Days we never wanted to end
and some nights we thought never would
Time and holidays spent cradled with song, guitar and presence
                                                                                      ~ Ck 1999