“…only light and wind before us…”
more poems and paintings by John David Wissler
“Near the Beginning” oil on panel, 12 x 12 inches
Light of the Firefly
cloud, broken, gray, blue, purple.... hint of orange,
red sky, green against cadmium orange, Naples yellow...
sun descending,
descending, revealing its size
brightening the sky
touching the clouds, its color moving towards me through haze,
atmosphere brightening, filling space with color,
earth darkening,
masses merging, shadow passed and enveloping
dampness rising...filling my nostrils with moisture and smell
bare feet touching the now wet grass
time without comprehending, only feeling,
light now dim, star, cloud,
birds sing there ending, jubilant (my eyes close)
light of the firefly...... rising...lofty..holy...
“Until Tomorrow” oil on panel 12 x 16 inches
The Brilliant Light of Dusk
facing toward the brilliant light of dusk
wind, cold, crisp, clear
seeing, as if the first time, into our future
knowing what has been
cherishing what is
relishing the future (with trepidation)
loving friend, there by our side
loving family, there with us
loved ones there, on our left ...our right..only light and wind before us.
God is there, not just light and wind!
faith tested, strong, by our side
friend, family, steady the coarse
you, there for me,
I, there for you,
not knowing, but there, always…
“A Shared Ending” oil on panel 12 x 12 inches
Chill in the Morning Air
chill in the morning air,
sun begins its trip as I wander through the field behind my studio
looking for the beauty of things
light...color...tree...earth...green...
turning, I see the edge of my studio, red in the clump of pine
painting...collecting
empty, this morning I am empty
empty can be good...for it can be filled...this morning
just
empty.
I stop walking, knowing I must soon get my coffee and ride to Lancaster,
working at the gallery...while my head is out here
walking in the field
looking...wandering
just want to keep walking,
days like this...you know!
just keep looking, wandering, collecting what I see
filling myself...my mind,
not sure of it all,
wandering...wondering...looking ...painting…
life is empty today, and so am I,
no paint...no marks... (in the studio paintings turn to mud)
there is beauty in the chill of this air
the sun raking through the pine hitting the red studio wall
I will enjoy the coffee... seeing the folks at the gallery
I begin to fill…
“Beyond the Cove” oil on panel, 12 x 24 inches. This painting will be part of my show, opening in April ( 4-5 ) , at Lancaster Galleries.
Pierced By Stars
darkness, pierced by stars
ink, alive and moving
night, pierced by stars
brush, scraping and flowing
my day .... fulfilled…
fulfilled in darkness,
fulfilled in ink,
alive and moving…
“Eyes Wide Open” oil on paper 4.5 x 4.125 inches