It has been some time since I last wrote, and I am sure some of you can relate to the feeling of biting more than you can chew. I am not here to describe or complain about the challenges of university and instead my journey to returning to art and writing. As my first step on this journey, I would like to share a new poem with you.
Over a year ago, I wrote my first poem: A Note for Her. While the process was obscure, to begin with, each version of the poem encouraged me to dig deeper into my choice of words and the image I was building behind the words. Where I initially felt motivated to write another poem, the need for a break combined with thoughts on what to write left my pages blank for quite some time. This was until one day when my journey home was delayed due to a disruption to a tube line. With the warm, early September sun resting on the ground and a calming park nearby, I decided to do something that felt like a film inspired by it. I took my trainers off to feel the cool grass beneath me, hid within the crisp shade and pulled out the laptop tucked inside my bag to type.
The simple task of writing at a park brought unintentional breaks involving staring at pigeons nibbling away the crumbs left behind from work lunches and picnics, and importantly, the opportunity to sit with the sounds and sights around me. My page accumulated words as the warm air began to circulate the park. I smiled at my progress and joined the crowd heading towards the now accessible tube station.
It was not until a few months ago that I revisited this poem, and somehow the long break away from the poem helped me recognise the words that no longer served the feelings and message I hope to share with you. Today, I am happy to share my new poem: Walking Along the Brick Wall.
If you read my poem, thank you so much for taking your time to do so.
The illustration supporting my poem stems from an idea of wanting a design that is simplistic and one that does not pull the reader's focus from the words. At first, I went for a burnt orange background with mismatched thin white bricks. However, I recognised that the switch from a pumpkin to snow coloured background was more appropriate for my aim to share an uncluttered design. You may have noticed already, but the bricks in the illustration are asymmetric. While this was unintentional at first, I started to see how the awkward and uneven bricks generate feelings about hidden beauty in imperfection. This observation made it almost impossible to return a perfectly-laid brick wall in my design.
I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog post, after a very long time, and that it has urged you to take a step at a hobby you have left behind.
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