Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Rose Poems from "Shadows - Leaves - Roses" Exhibition in Monrovia - to September 22, 2013


At the opening of my exhibit of photography and poetry at the Scenic Drive Gallery in September 2013, I read  a selection of poems that were either unpublished or appeared in Miriam's Iris  (the ones with numbers in titles), or Rose Always. 



Amor 6


the more I love
the more dangerous
life becomes
in its graphic beauty
carved with a dagger
stolen from time

the blade cuts
old wounds open

it slides on the skin
of the moment 

 pierced by knowing 

© 2006 by Maja Trochimczyk



Desert Rose

I grow roses in the desert
They wither in merciless sun

Their petals, scorched by the heat,
crumble into dust
from which they came

The magic of water and light
brings them back.
Open blossoms smile at me
shyly

One after one after one
they come to make love
with the air

They shrivel
to stay unchanged
clinging to life that left them


© 2001 by Maja Trochimczyk





Rosa Incognita

it had to be the eleventh,
the time of perfect absence

of all time’s measure,
the number so uncounted

that doubly prime –
the day of fullness

in a second there is
a universe never heard of

in a glimpse  –  a mystery
fully apprehended

once for all understood 
found and lost together 

all times swirling
in a glorious wreath of the present

St. Augustine was right –
sometimes God

makes a hole in Heaven,
for us to peek in

© 2000 by Maja Trochimczyk



Ellenai 6

with the noise
of unfurling wings
silence descended

turmoil within
my frightened self
dissolved
into the glass surface
of tranquil seas
at sunset

angels account for
moments such as these
love’s cruel sweetness
my days are numbered
I’m caught again

emptied
of thought and sorrow
poured
into the last vessel
of midnight calm

(c) 2001  by Maja Trochimczyk




Mira Mataric, Susan Dobay, Rick Wilson, Kathabela Wilson at Scenic Drive Gallery




The opening reception of my exhibition "Shadows - Leaves- Roses" featured a poetry reading with the accompaniment of Rick Wilson on fujara (bass flute from Slovakia) and shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute), divided into two parts: "Shadows and Leaves" and "The Geometry of Roses." Jean Sudbury provided an interlude between the two poetry presentations with her violin transcriptions of pieces by Chopin, Dvorak and Elgar.   Mira Mataric read her translation of "Memento Vitae" - a poem that is a subject of an international translation project and already appeared in Spanish, French, Polish and Serbian versions. The attendees enjoyed the show and the reception, thanks to the hospitality of Susan and Endre Dobay.

The exhibition;s program features the following explanation:

"The play of light and shadows, reflections on the water, miraculous shapes of rose petals, the veins on a leaf… This exhibit presents a close-up view of California landscapes – limited to the elemental shapes and colors found on a yucca flower, or a petal. These wonders are found in Sunland and Tujunga, distant from the urban core of Los Angeles, yet a vital part of the metropolis. The profusion of gardens and wildlife areas permeated with intense sunlight transform these small towns into places of magic – captured with a digital camera."

For the record, I admit to being influenced by Georgia O'Keefe and her monumental, sensual flowers. Yet, I want my roses to be just right, not too big, not too small, something to enjoy in my home or office. Something simple that's all around us, and taken for granted... yet, incredibly, intensely beautiful.

                         

An interview with Susan Dobay about my artistic interests is on YouTube: http://youtu.be/nY7cp-taPbs



The exhibition is on display, available by appointment only, until September 22, 2013 at the Scenic Drive Gallery, 125 Scenic Drive, Monrovia, CA (off Myrtle, exit from 210 go up towards the mountains, turn left into Scenic when the road starts to turn. scenicdrivegallery.com


 
Reading love poems for roses, all red.


Jean Sudbury's performance at the opening of the exhibition.