Poetry Corner: Secret Essence

POETRY CORNER

– 8/10/16

♣ Artists and poets Toti O’Brien and Cindy Rinne will present a duo art show called “Secret Essence” at a private Living Room Gallery in Pasadena. At the opening program, each will read poems on the other’s work. We are honored to share short excerpts in our Poetry Corner today.

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“Best of Impossible Worlds” – Mixed-Media Art by Toti O’Brien.

Cindy Rinne

When nature calls me home
Cold water splashes
Toward Kokone Yume Bridge
Tender shadows float in mists
Surrounds me in cocoon

Cindy Rinne says “I found the words “Secret Essence” in one of Toti’s poems. I felt it expressed the depth of our art and writing. Toti had the idea to match poems with each others’ art. Finding my poems to go with her art help to reveal the deeper secrets in what both of us create.

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“The Journey of Hope” – Fabric Art by Cindy Rinne.

Toti O’Brien

You appeared, velvety, dense—a queen dressed up for a court dance, but your size made you childish.
Cheerful ballerina, hand in hand with rosy-cheeked playmates twirling in brazen tutus.
Caroling, playing hide and seek in a maze of dark leaves.

Toti O’Brien says “It is Cindy who came up with “Secret Essence” as a name for the process we shared, deepening into one another work/world. It rang true, of course, and how could it have not? Essence is a Secret. Both words means a distillate—the most concentrate juice you can dig out of anything—that pure, tiny drop you don’t want to miss. Art is it.”

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“Tina’s Dress Fabric” – Art by Cindy Rinne.

Toti O’Brien

…a bit every day
with fine needles
silk thread
with the care of my hands
with the sharpness
of my wide open eyes…

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“God of Salt and Stone” image by Toti O’Brien.

Cindy Rinne

During the night
I look into your body –
Three crows caw before
mountains
of wax.
They say,
Do not worry about anything.

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>The Poetry Corner is hosted by Kathabela Wilson. She says “We are delighted to welcome Toti and Cindy, both fine artists and poets and their special duo show “Secret Essence” to our gallery. You may RSVP on Facebook, or in comments below, to request attendance at the opening program in Pasadena near Caltech. To see the exhibit at any time, contact the artists or Kathabela. The show will run through Dec 31, 2016.

♣ We welcome and encourage your response especially in the form of short poems. You may reply by leaving a comment below.