Acacia

Photographed by Susan koster

I once heard the expression “If you have a talent and you do not use it you will surely lose it.” This echoes as I received a piece of art today from my dear friend Susan. This took me back to 1990 when I did my preparatory art work (Batik/Androsia) for my Caribbean Examination Council Exam (CXC). I remember that day; the anxiety, the prayers, the sweat. Now that I look back at it, God has been extremely good to me as it was the best art piece that I have ever produced.

The examiners were totally in agreement as I got a Grade 1. It was the norm that the examiners (All of the students work was shipped off to Barbados for grading ) did not return any pieces back to Montserrat. My Art teacher had even made a special request to have my piece returned. What makes me a bit upset is that – I have just recently learned from an acquaintance that the Barbadian students receive their exam art pieces back. Yet, I still remain hopeful that one day I will walk into a house or office that is displaying my CXC art work on their wall.

I have not used the batik art form since then. Every time I see a piece of Batik/Androsia I am invigorated with sentiment and absorbed with my thoughts as the method is still accurately practiced in my head.

Organic in hot water pan

A montage of whimsical shapes

Driven by a well pattern plan

Punctuated by lines, breaks

Waxed with rhythm of motion

Whirls, twirls

The Jig of dye in rotation

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A tapestry of emotion,

Wet with excitement contains

Bright colors, light colours first

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Mind-set transposes

The sun sears, patches of white retains

Sly smile slid from the soak

The mind twisting effect of strings ropes

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The repetition, infusion

The tubs of cold water

As the fabric gazes

Pegs, swaying on nylon lines

Delights

We wait

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Credible with time

The aural elements

As tender images shines

The resonant emotion

Spring to Life with expression

Hammering the rhyme

Of the impression

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Poem by Brenda L McCartney

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