Illustration Friday: Speed


deercollage1a, originally uploaded by emily999.

When I was in 7th grade we had to memorize a poem from a selected group in our English class. I choose, "Swift Things are Beautiful" by Elizabeth Coatswork.

On Friday, as I drove slowly home from piano lessons, the road wet from the recent rain and the sky looking heavy with yet another down pour, I caught sight of some creature crossing the road ahead of me. About 50 feet away, a deer crossed my path and then two more deer followed. It felt like a dream or an answered prayer. I stopped and watched as they went past and I slowed down to see where they disappeared into the thickening trees and brush. I wanted to capture a little of that feeling in my illustration...Here, also, is the poem that came to life for me...

Swift Things Are Beautiful

Swift things are beautiful
Swallows and deer,
And lightning that falls
Bright-veined and clear,
Rivers and meteors,
Wind in the wheat.
The strong-withered horse ,
The runner's sure feet.

And slow things are beautiful:
The closing of day,
The pause of the wave
That curves downward to spray,
The ember that crumbles,
The opening flower,
And the ox that moves on
In the quiet of power.


--Elizabeth Coatswork

Comments

Majane said…
Very clever and decorative.Well done collage!
Heartful said…
Wow Emily, your collage is beautiful, and along with your story of the crossing deer and the poem, gives it a realy magical feel! In fact it gave me goosebumps!! :)
helenahimm said…
your collage is awesome.. is amazing how in much fast speed we are sometimes or most of the times of our life that we dont look around and beauitful things happen right in front of our faces.

lovely poem btw.

tschüs,

H e l e n a

PS: you're on my fav ;)
Steve H said…
great poem and great illo!
lovely collage so much movement! and thanks for sharing that poem, too.
Emily said…
Thank you for your comments! They mean a lot to me.
carla said…
That is such a beautiful poem! The collage is a perfect illustration...the repetitive shapes and patterns create a hypnotic and peaceful mood, probably much like what you felt when you watched the deer cross the road. No matter how many times I see an animal - deer, fox, turkey - appear in front of me, I am always thrilled. It is like a gift of some sort. Your illustration captures that magical, wondrous feeling.

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