The image really gets me. There’s something powerful about the rearview mirror still being present in the forward gaze into the future
On top of that, a rearview mirror filled with saints gazing upon the Holy Spirit speaks all kinds of things to me. Brings me a feeling of protection and confidence.
The vehicle leaving tire tracks that will soon be washed away can be taken multiple ways depending on which angle I view it from
To me the poem means showing gods glory through love. “Sweetness” even though salt on my tongue “suffering” exists. Hands keep returning to the earth, never stop glorifying him. Perseverance. Very lovely poem that got me thinking! {as always)
I wish I understood saints better to get the reference from the collage tied into the poem. Would love to hear your interpretation on this!
Mandy! What does this poem mean to you? For me it represents a cycle of people that spread the gospel: "planting the panela of His love." the sweet words, "my hands still return to earth." in ever returning forms.
Whats does "panelas" means here? I'm confused because in portuguese It means pans and I didn't find any meaning in english for the word panelas. But I loved the piece!
It’s a reference to panela, an unrefined cane sugar used throughout parts of Latin America. I first came across the word while reading Annals of America while doing erasure and became fascinated by it. Since panela is shaped through fire and labor, I used it symbolically in the poem as small pieces of sweetness and mercy being planted into the earth.
Panela is a great choice, it's referred as piloncillo if you go to Mexican restaurants here in Texas (not Tex-mex, actual Mexican restaurants.) Your poem brings up personal memories of dishes shared at tables growing up, the sweetness and saltiness together. To me, that sweetness of piloncillo is one of the sweetest additions to a dish, the same level as raw local honey and better than other artificial sweeteners. For the tide swallowing whole, it's like my "bad day" swallowing the sweet and salty dishes in a warming meal, hoping more will be served soon.
A different route from the imagery, but I'm literally tasting the memory as I type and wanted to share 😁 I'm excited I'll be getting this imagery as a postcard, I agree with some other comments about reflecting on the paths Saints have carved for us and the shores ahead of us. I love both what you presented as well as going down this extra rabbit hole it created for me. <3
I really like the last two lines. I can't help but think of where I currently live, which is by water and according to the water. It floods easily here. And it's peninsula after peninsula, which creates a slower kind of culture as the roads are not through roads to or from anywhere beyond the peninsula itself. The tides very much matter here.
I'm still trying to get used to that, though, as I'm a mountain person. I like where I live, but I understand the earth far better than I do the water.
"...hands feel the earth..." I LOVE IT. I had a mini farm in CA about 40 years ago... 3 rows of corn, green beans (which were purple and gorgeous but turn green when you cook them) MAJOR tomatoes and watermelon! The new owners ruined that with their RV garage BUT... I have photos... I'll send you one, my hands in the earth are as heavenly as the ocean surrounding me while I am on a raft (past the waves) and singing to the ducks... (CA, Santa Monica)... you are an inspiration while I sit here with pneumonia... I'm still the body-surfer girl in the bikini, LOLOLOL
The image really gets me. There’s something powerful about the rearview mirror still being present in the forward gaze into the future
On top of that, a rearview mirror filled with saints gazing upon the Holy Spirit speaks all kinds of things to me. Brings me a feeling of protection and confidence.
The vehicle leaving tire tracks that will soon be washed away can be taken multiple ways depending on which angle I view it from
To me the poem means showing gods glory through love. “Sweetness” even though salt on my tongue “suffering” exists. Hands keep returning to the earth, never stop glorifying him. Perseverance. Very lovely poem that got me thinking! {as always)
I wish I understood saints better to get the reference from the collage tied into the poem. Would love to hear your interpretation on this!
<3
Perfect imagery! We are all called to be "saints." From Latin sanctus meaning holy and as time passed evolved to the word saint.
Mandy! What does this poem mean to you? For me it represents a cycle of people that spread the gospel: "planting the panela of His love." the sweet words, "my hands still return to earth." in ever returning forms.
Hope all is well! and that picture is wicked!
We’re too called to be saints…like in them, the love is sown, a fresh start, every day
Yup. Saints in the Rearview is exactly why I picked collage as my favorite thing you share. This one is so genius, it hurts.
Whats does "panelas" means here? I'm confused because in portuguese It means pans and I didn't find any meaning in english for the word panelas. But I loved the piece!
It’s a reference to panela, an unrefined cane sugar used throughout parts of Latin America. I first came across the word while reading Annals of America while doing erasure and became fascinated by it. Since panela is shaped through fire and labor, I used it symbolically in the poem as small pieces of sweetness and mercy being planted into the earth.
To me, it means @Mandy Morris is out here crushing it.
Panela is a great choice, it's referred as piloncillo if you go to Mexican restaurants here in Texas (not Tex-mex, actual Mexican restaurants.) Your poem brings up personal memories of dishes shared at tables growing up, the sweetness and saltiness together. To me, that sweetness of piloncillo is one of the sweetest additions to a dish, the same level as raw local honey and better than other artificial sweeteners. For the tide swallowing whole, it's like my "bad day" swallowing the sweet and salty dishes in a warming meal, hoping more will be served soon.
A different route from the imagery, but I'm literally tasting the memory as I type and wanted to share 😁 I'm excited I'll be getting this imagery as a postcard, I agree with some other comments about reflecting on the paths Saints have carved for us and the shores ahead of us. I love both what you presented as well as going down this extra rabbit hole it created for me. <3
What an incredible collage and poem!!
I really like the last two lines. I can't help but think of where I currently live, which is by water and according to the water. It floods easily here. And it's peninsula after peninsula, which creates a slower kind of culture as the roads are not through roads to or from anywhere beyond the peninsula itself. The tides very much matter here.
I'm still trying to get used to that, though, as I'm a mountain person. I like where I live, but I understand the earth far better than I do the water.
"...hands feel the earth..." I LOVE IT. I had a mini farm in CA about 40 years ago... 3 rows of corn, green beans (which were purple and gorgeous but turn green when you cook them) MAJOR tomatoes and watermelon! The new owners ruined that with their RV garage BUT... I have photos... I'll send you one, my hands in the earth are as heavenly as the ocean surrounding me while I am on a raft (past the waves) and singing to the ducks... (CA, Santa Monica)... you are an inspiration while I sit here with pneumonia... I'm still the body-surfer girl in the bikini, LOLOLOL
God in the review mirror, who gave the gifted lover who always returns to the earth. Absolutely love your visual image!!!
I love this erasure.