June 28, 2010
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Beyond Time
I have a beautiful little book titled Beyond Time by the late Michigan block print artist, poet and paper maker and printer, Gwen Frostic. I got it a couple of years ago while working our AAUW annual book sale. This book is physically so beautiful ….with each page on a different type of paper and with lovely nature inspired block prints of animals and plants to enhance her lovely words. Frostic really was ahead of her time! I was reading it again this week and realized the truth in her writing…especially in light of the news about the damage being done to the waters and shores of our southern states because of BP’s oil spill. Her words…in the first poem in this book published about forty years ago…..are so relevant today:
This Earth…
with its great great trees..
its infinite life..
and boundless beauty…
the only earth there’ll ever be………
These Waters..
of deep springs
of rivers and lakes..
drops of dew..
and clouds above…
all the water there has ever been…
all … there will ever be ……….
The air all around…
that everything must breathe….
over and over …….
forever and ever……
Love this earth….
love it as much as life itself…
earth from which all life has come..
earth to which all life returns…
Love its waters…
and keep them clean……
water on which all life depends……
Love clear air….
care enough to keep it clear…
clear enough to see the stars…..And earth will remain…
beyond time……………..
Comments (8)
Some books are timeless. Cry, the Beloved Country is one of them. Read the first chapter by clicking on the following: http://choyshinglin.xanga.com/729239566/cry-the-beloved-country-chapter-one/
Oh I love this poem and the book itself sounds beautiful. As for the author being ahead of her time – well perhaps not. If her words had been heeded back then, perhaps the earth would have been a little better off today.
I know that book! And it is a beautiful collection of art and word. Some people are more mindful of our role as steward of this planet than others and some have no clue.
What a beautiful poem. I do not know of this book, but your description is so vivid. I hope I can get my hands on it.
@choyshinglin -
Thanks for the link and posting that chapter on your Xanga blog.
@Chatamanda -
I agree wholeheartedly! There have been people interested in the preservation of our planet for a long time, and the rest of the population is still to be convinced it seems!
@murisopsis -
@ZSA_MD -
@ZSA_MD -
This short book of poems is a work of art all by itself…without even reading any. There are second hand ones are available online through Amazon. New ones cost @ $22. Used ones are half of that price.
@Gma_Joyce - thank you. Going there to order one now.