because I was a leaf
riding a stream of moments
to the sea
resistance was futile
time had run out
except for one day
enough for paint to dry
before the flight
one more was possible
just one more
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just One More. 18×14″. Acrylic on paper on panel.
Painting and poem by clinock.
This is the original image of #1 of ‘The 100′ series. Sprayed onto a particularly uninspiring example of city architecture in East Vancouver this single word “going” attracted me because of its carefully inscribed Grade 6 style of writing, so different from most urban wall graffiti. Its simple one word power of mystery, poetic evocation and pathos enchanted me.
I considered the obvious, that this was the beginning so it should also be the end. However, I am placing it at #99, just before the cycle finishes, because I need to contradict the obvious.
I have made some changes to the image and use it here as the penultimate #99. I cropped and added text to the photo creating a poem of sorts, or perhaps more realistically, a primitive chant, of leaving, of departure…The illuminated ‘One’ was unintentional but when it happened it gave me pause…despite our going and separation we are still one, always one, here together…
going gone
going gone
going
going going
gone
going gone
gone going
gone going
gone
going going
gone.
the song of the sailor raising the sails,
the drums of the warriors leaving forever,
the pounding heart of the refugee,
the hurt voice of lovers
walking away,
the boots of the restless
embracing the highway,
the cry of the imprisoned
as iron doors crash close,
the breath of the dying
on their final beds of light,
time, seasons, love,
friendships,
life.
Photo and poem by clinock.
Credit and thanks to the unknown street writer.
slipping quietly away
it took so long
the leaving
mute as shadows
step by quiet step by
tiptoed second
the slow disappearing
barely noticeable
the slow increments
of separation
the widening chasm
the darkening distance
between the leaving
and the left
the left behind
the wreckage
the stripped bones
the abandoned child
the sheets of insomnia
the barbed and broken
understanding
slipping quietly away
taking nothing
leaving everything
to the silent drifts of night
drawing and poem by clinock.
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