The Light Within

The Light Within is the visual representation of the artist's poem.

It is silk, eco-dyed with flowers and ferns, given by friends, to lift the spirits of my soulmate as he struggled with life-threatening illness. Smaller elements were Shibori wrapped, then eco-dyed with turmeric, iron and copper mordants. The Amaryllis blossom was stitched free-motion, representing loving hope for his future.

During months of care, the silk elements were composed and Sashiko soulfully applied, binding the pieces into its holistic purpose.

Through this piece we received the blessings of tonglen and yutori.

The Light Within

For years, as we surrendered the day to life-giving sleep,

I whispered, “Breathe in the infection. Breathe out the cure.”

I filled my lungs with your breath like the lake’s swells before a torrential downpour.

In the stillness of the night I felt your heart beat like thunder.

Through three winters this prayer seeped into our pores.

In the darkness of the dawn,

a river flows beneath the earth’s surface.

New life reaches for the heavens.

Your veins, like branches silhouetted by morning light, are full.