This writer had the privilege of working with Milford artist Paul Tibedeau for an entry in the 2019 Village Fine Arts Association Poetry Art Night Exhibit and Competition. Paul’s beautiful Plein Air Painting “Tracks in the Snow” was the basis for our entry, and also became the name for the poem which I composed as my part of the competition. See more of Paul’s works at the Facebook group page Paul Tibedeau Fine Art https://www.facebook.com/groups/546573392637394 .
The Poetry Art Night (PAN) combines visual art with poetry to create a unique dynamic that is a treat for your senses and begs you to linger in the gallery of The Suzanne Haskew Arts Center (The SHAC) and take each entry in slowly. PAN 2020 was greatly impacted by the pandemic and featured a virtual exhibit. Calls for entries and tentative plans for plans for PAN 2021 can be found here: /https://milfordvfaa.org/pan2021/
My thanks to Paul and his wife Joanne, to Susan Gollon, Lish Brown, The Village Fine Arts Association, and The Suzanne Haskew Arts Center and all of the visual artists, poets, judges, and visitors for a great experience and a wonderful evening.
I heard not a sound save the wind
I saw no movement in the night
and woke to another cold, grey day.
Upon the frozen ground
beneath a sunless sky
breathing air with no scent
a human can detect,
where all seemed dormant or dead,
weary of this winter
stood I alive.
Alone.
So my senses told me.
Yet the snow bears witness
Life has not fled!
Hearts still beat,
blood still flows.
Warm bodies still make their homes
even hidden in this snow.
Even beneath this sunless sky
upon this frozen ground,
no matter how many cold, grey days.
No matter where you stand
be wearied not;
you are not alone.
Even in our deepest winter
forever are there
tracks in the snow.
For more works of poetry by this writer, click here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1695688287
