18 Comments
Mar 13Liked by Conny Borgelioen

A beautiful poem, Conny, and a striking message. Of course the trees can be any colour we wish. I am also laughing because this is the third time I have seen Christina's World appear in two days.

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Thank you, Faye! I appreciate that, and what serendipity...

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I do love The Summer Book.

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I do too, Edgar. But I need to buy a new copy because I destroyed mine to scan the pages!

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That’s the sprit. I only recently came across it, and Jansson generally, so I’ve read it once in a newish paperback that I’m looking forward to wearing out.

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Feb 9Liked by Conny Borgelioen

Perhaps Peter Pan wanted to always be a little kid and never grow up because he wanted to always have open eyes and the ability to see colour! All while living life in a fun manner. Just a thought mind you. ;) Wonderful words.

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It's a wonderful thought, Angela! Thanks for sharing it.

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don’t say

that trees can’t be

that colour

because they can,

and one day you will see it too.

🌿🍂❤️

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Thanks for letting me know what your favourite lines are :)

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Feb 9Liked by Conny Borgelioen

I love the parallel you draw between the freedom children use in their art and your own new freedom of expression. This is such a good example of being wide awake and growing in your craft.

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Thanks Ann! That's such a beautiful and encouraging thought.

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I’m thrilled to provide any sort of on-ramp to a poem like that! And the collage…is slightly uncanny since when I was a teenager I had a poster of “Christina’s World” in my room (very light-hearted child, I was, lol.) I love her transformation here, and her realignment/reattunement. I’m definitely in the same creative place vis à vis chronic illness so I’m very excited to see the future stories you weave in.

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Thanks so much Sun! I've been searching for paintings where the subject has their back to the viewer. I find them so fascinating. I'm glad you like the reorientation. Often I'm not sure why I choose the things that I do, but when I read people's comments it often clarifies what I subconsciously was trying to express.

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Feb 9Liked by Conny Borgelioen

Beautiful poem.

“but I think I’m done with Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book as a source. I started with that book as way of expressing my struggle with chronic illness, but I’ve moved on now.” I love glimpses like this into someone’s change. Thank you for sharing this!

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Thanks for letting me know that, Brian! I'm still finding my feet with this newsletter here. It's nice to know what resonated with you.

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Feb 9Liked by Conny Borgelioen

Wow Conny! What an interesting point you make in this poem about perception and life! And all in just a few words! Love the collage too!

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Thank you, Dominic. I'm really trying to keep it simple these days :)

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Feb 11Liked by Conny Borgelioen

I see. My pleasure Conny!

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