Media: Sumi ink, oil pastel, watercolor stick, pen, and collage on paper
ABOUT THE SERIES
My partner, Qayyum Johnson, and I have been honoring the moon cycle since the summer of 2019. Each new moon and full moon Qayyum writes a poem and I create a painting. Sometimes Qayyum writes the poem and I make a painting in response to that. Sometimes the other way around. Sometimes we both create from the inspiration of the moon.
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The poem that Qayyum wrote in response to this painting is below. We were both responding to the new moon on June 17, 2023.
All Situations & All Emotions Moon
New Moon June 17, 2023
Human nature Buddha
nature is easy
speaking is like lava
Sea wind & sun light grapple
the white belly of the white-tailed tropicbird
in its shadow one is no longer alone
Heat off summer grass
blowing rust flakes
among the glass shard beach
Evidences of childhood—
peeling basketball
the gulch legend of guava shots
Wild dark sounds
rain familiar chimes
gunshot & two heart beats
Private property sign
no dog untended pine hedge
three pigs snuffle-pray for green mac nuts
Post lady’s new tattoo
a volume of ornate diamonds
fake she says smiling
Last moons in daytime
or late early morning
light blendered by banana leaves
A fierce loneliness
engine without oil
whines & smokes before seizing
Things do respond
they really do
see—just now
