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