Tuesday 20 October 2009

Warrior, Rising

Sister Moon
I am rising too
upon a new wave
of learning.

Keep the tides high
I am not afraid
to wait until
the mourning.


- for Jeanne-Ming at Wu Feng Road
who is thinking of me in her studio as she paints extraordinary works, and who has named her latest exhibition 'Warrior' after me. Me! I am soaring like Pooh with his blue balloon, melting into the sky so the bees will be fooled... I am honoured.
This painting is called Lucky Pearls, and was sold at auction to an anonymous buyer, proceeds of which went to a home for the homeless in Shanghai. I have lucky pearls too - a string of words, kindness from you, and you and you.
Now how, dear friend, am I supposed to concentrate on the pithy evils of this ghastly disease when you write me such comments?!
"Shaista, I am in my studio tonight painting. I cannot relieve my mind of you. I have a show opening on Saturday and the gallery owner called to ask the title of my show. It seems a bit late to be naming a show but I welcomed the call and told her, "Warrior." So, this show will be for you." - Jeanne-Ming

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous painting, even more gorgeous is the meaning behind it. Put aside the verse, it shows you have a really great gift for meaningfully linking visual and spoken art forms.

Maggie May said...

So moving, all of it.

Jeannette StG said...

A great painting with a lot of atmosphere, Shaista.
Sorry I haven't been at your blog for a while. Still in the "selling old house" mode and driving back and forth between 2 houses! How is you hair, or are you still wearing funky hats?
Hope you get out soon, my friend:)

Sobrina Tung said...

Shaista, I am so sorry to hear about the crazy throes of lupus that you've been dealing with :( I hope that things get much better and soon. You are in my prayers.

Your friend's art exhibit named after you is so touching! Keep staying strong and writing!

Stacey J. Warner said...

This if fabulous, so much love...

Tess Kincaid said...

Beautiful words, Shaista. And I adore Ming's artwork. How wonderful she did a painting after you!!

RNSANE said...

Your writing is poignant and beautiful. And your friend's painting and the title of her show, "Warrior" is most fitting. I can't imagine I could be so courageous as you. You are so entitled, however, to an occasional bit of a crying jag,however, and we will cry with you, then wipe away our tears and eat chocolate.

Jeanne-ming Brantingham said...

Darling one,
I had a good show and the whole night, thought of you.

Maxine said...

I'm too late to be commenting on this, but I don't know how I missed it. I clicked through from today's post, which contains a poem just as gentle and considered as this one. Gentleness is a thing I have yet to master in poetry most times, so I'm envious.

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