Small Things Take Time

Small Things Take Time

By Susan Wallbank

Small things take time

they twist into fragments

which hang like strands of DNA

impossible uncoded strips that thread the days

between the cut glass black jet nights

to form a kind of necklace

Small things take time

they scatter it with actions

the deed-compacted seconds lie

like long-gone moss and little flies defy decay

suspended in warm amber hours

to make a kind of bracelet

Small things take time

they grind it into powder 

and from the dust create a paste 
that glues the wasteful hours between each deep decade

compression-packed, dull-glimmering

to forge a kind of ring

Horses and cushions ...

 I've been working on a couple of pieces that I wanted to share.

I remember my father taking me to see the white horse of Uffington when I was quite little. Carved into the side of a hill and visible from miles away it is an experience that has stayed with me ever since. One of the most ancient of the hill figures found in England, the white horse probably dates back some 3,000 years. Nobody really knows what it stands for (or indeed if it is really a horse at all and not some other animal). This not-knowing regarding its purpose does not detract in any way from its beauty and grandeur.   I remember being completely awe struck when I understood the scale of it and I also remember wondering what motivated the people who came together to create it. Was it fear, an appeasement or gesture of faith?  

Without careful maintenance the white horse of Uffington quickly disappears from view as nature reasserts itself and this is the narrative behind this piece.  

The brass horse of my necklace, and its accompanying cluster of bits and pieces, are not as they were - once bright and shiny they are now aged and flaking but still I think beautiful.  Caught between new and old the items are preserved. But, left to the ravages of time they would have disappeared completely.

I've noticed that my pieces seem to have lots of colour or no color. And so to this:

I am still completely obsessed with using little textile cushions as a base for embellishments.  This one uses a vintage sari scrap and some gold trim.  I like the fact that the fabric is a little bit tatty and frayed (bit like me really).

Lastly, judging by your comments quite a few of you are not, stating it mildly, fans of Facebook.  Far be it from me to defend this bastion of bad grammar and mundane status updates I do think Facebook's powers can be used for good rather than evil!!  An example to illustrate - Facebook is an excellent way to link people who would otherwise be socially isolated for mutual/peer support and friendship.  Facebook's relatively straightforward interface makes it a better option for those that are not quite so computer literate or who may be intimidated by other online options or who, for one reason or another, are unable to get out and about and, if not for the internet, would be rather disconnected.  Also individual pages are a little different than pages for organisations/businesses. The latter tend to be much less ...well, teenage.    And I have to say Quisnam's Facebook page has connected me with some really really lovely people.  It's definitely different than blogging but, as I said in my last post, horses for courses.

'til next time.