for week 6 it's time for a WRITER to come forth and lend us your WRITTEN PIECE and then give all the Artella writers and artists a chance to collaborate and showcase their talents. 

For anyone not sure of the plan 
Here’s how it works:

Week 1 - Each Monday an ARTIST will post a visual, and anybody who wishes to responds with a written piece -- poetry, story, article, essay – or visual artists may respond with another visual piece inspired by the first artist’s work - whatever.  No restrictions or limitations here.  The floor will be open for two weeks for all submissions. (Of course, anyone can jump in and leave a written piece later!)

Week 2 - Each Monday a WRITER (volunteer, or nominated by anyone and agreeing) posts a written piece -- poetry, story, article, essay -- whatever.  No restrictions there.  Then, anybody who wishes to may respond with a visual – or again, another written piece – poetry, story, article, essay inspired by the original writer’s work -  (again, no restrictions or limitations here).  Floor open for two weeks for all collaboration. 
AND SO ON in alternating succession.

Reminder for all new and old to Collaboration Station:  All of the prior Weeks are open to post your responses.  Please to feel free to jump in at any time – there’s no deadline on posting… we’ve just built the 2 week time frame so that we can give another artist or writer “a door”  to open and the others are still open too!  If you have questions and suggestions, we welcome them in the spirit of collaboration!

C'mon -- who's game for submitting a piece of writing?  Bo?  Isabella? Goya? Journeyer?  Desire2Reinvent?  Someone new?

Let's make Week #6 a great week of collaboration!

PS -- Be sure to see this week's Blog Topic of the Week -- it's about Collaboration!  http://artellacafe.com/forums/t/3829.aspx

Okay, here is a short piece about one of the most favorite and influential people in my life.

Bo 

Grandmother's Hair

Wisps, untwisted mohair spun
in pale strands, the strands so long ago blanched white, now faded into watery yellow,
plaited,
a twist plied tight atop her head – the marmish bun –
set with gleaming silver hairpins.

like her eyes – those silvery eyes – lustrous,    yet longing.

Bo -- BEAUTIFUL!

I just wish I were an artist -- to do justice to this lovely piece.

Thanks!  Hugs -- Aunt Bobby

Hi Aunt Bobby, Bo and everyone,

Talk about synchronicity!  No kidding, I was about to push the Reply button to thank Aunt Bobby for getting things rolling again, and in my Inbox, I see a message that Bo posted.  This is just way too fun.....

Bo, your poem is amazingly touching, soulful, and simply calls out for a artwork to accompany your wonderful words.

- chameleon

I think you are an artist, Aunt Bobby.  There are all styles of art, and even simply drawn pictures are special.  Look at the paintings Grandma Moses did.  Her technique was very simple, and it was very obvious she wasn't a "trained" artist.  Yet her work spoke volumes.  I love all of her paintings.  I have enjoyed all the drawings you have posted in our drawing challenge!

Bill

auntbobby:

Bo -- BEAUTIFUL!

I just wish I were an artist -- to do justice to this lovely piece.

Thanks!  Hugs -- Aunt Bobby

Thank you, Bill.  I appreciate the complement, and I understand what you are saying.  I guess what I meant was I wish I felt I could do justice to Bo's great poem!

 Yay, Bo!  That is a beauty!  I love the way you've braided so much feeling into this vivid image.  Just lovely.  Can't wait to see what the artists do with this...

KateSinging 

Dear Bo,

An artwork that I hope will convey the tremendously touching verse you created entitled, "Longing".  Thank you, thank you for this collaboration, Bo!

- chameleon

 Chameleon, this is such a dear image and so powerful.  I've been thinking these days about the way we sometimes talk down to old people, as though they were so simple, so fixed in their ways.  And yet, the more I investigate, the more I see that it is often we in the middle of our lives who are stuck, while the old with their vaster experience prove themselves more tolerant, more able to laugh and cry, and vastly more complicated and powerful than we imagine.  You've captured that sense of a full, rich life, crowned with the flower of wisdom and beauty.

Your work moves me so much.

KateSinging 

Chameleon,

Thank you for this lovely creation. It is so evocative of memories.  It's been a hard few weeks for me, and I really appreciate you putting your creative energies into my project. I worried that it would be one not easily done by others.

Your contribution gave me a real lift today.

Thank you so much.

Bo 

Hello KateSinging, Bo, and everyone,

Yes, I believe the elderly should be cherished for who they are, their vast knowledge and contributions, and what they leave behind.  Yes, they are often ridiculed, ignored, and forgotten.  And yes, it is us in our 'middle years', as you have so perfectly noted KateSinging, that have not gained awareness of what is to come. I came to this realization smack dab in the face when my mother reached old age as well as observing many other elderly people at the nursing home.  How many times I saw them looking out the window, similar to the image "Longing", perhaps reliving another time or place.  What is that saying, "with knowledge comes wisdom?" 

When Bo wrote this very moving poem, it was with some trepidation that I could give enough 'oomph' to the memories and the words.  I am so pleased that it gave you happiness, Bo, and hope that you are well and feel brightened that your poetry is so effective and powerful.

- chameleon

 Picture KateSinging here, champing at the bit.

Please, artists, give us poets something to write about!  Stir up a little Artella brew and let us get tipsy with inspiration! 

Yow!

KS, hoping the next Collaboration Station week starts soon