"Vintage" ~ Poem/Photo Collaboration by Cristina M. R. Norcross and Des Hanie

I had the great pleasure of coming across this intriguing photo by artist, Des Hanie, while posting on the ‪#‎BeOtherwise‬ thread of the Alphaeon Facebook page. We connected, when I reached out to say how much I would love to write a poem for her brilliant photo of this old, abandoned house in Virginia. I wrote the poem, "Vintage," to accompany her photo, and I will always be thankful for the stories this house whispered to me about age, strength, and beauty. Hope you enjoy this collaboration, too.

photo credit: Des Hanie

VINTAGE
(Inspired by the photography of Des Hanie)

One day we will all cave in.
Windows drawn –
rooftop bent –
foundation bow-legged.
Joints creaking
from the slightest howl of wind –
the structure still holds.
Our center core stands –
lungs filled to capacity –
chest emboldened
by a strength never known before.

There is song in our bones.
It is the length of our stance,
the broad sweeping lines of curves,
and proud jawline.
The eyes look out from weathered floorboards
and delicate hands.
Each vein speaks of the years
pulsating through our lives,
and we sit with the silence of now.
Remembering hymns –
remembering the body’s
movement in space –
knowing that time’s passage
is just our vintage gaining value –
our red velvet density
shifting in the light.

Poem by Cristina M. R. Norcross
Photo by Des Hanie
Copyright 2015

"Blue Lapis Sea" - poem/photo by Cristina M. R. Norcross (Aquinnah, Martha's Vineyard)

Aquinnah Cliffs, Martha's Vineyard

Blue Lapis Sea

Within the chest

is a wide, blue lapis sea.

The ribcage breaks open –

dancers leap out,

spinning in unison.

The thump, thump, thump

of a hand on the drum –

the only way out

is in.

Cristina M. R. Norcross

photo/poem Copyright 2014

Sharing another offering of poetry and art from my ekphrastic project, Postcards from the Eternal, currently-in-progress.  I have been creating this fusion of photography and poetry for the past 3 years.  I often give these postcards away, as gifts, and donate bulk copies of cards to non-profits and charities.  A selection of these cards are also available online at Fine Art America and at my local indie bookstore, Books & Co. (Oconomowoc, WI).

"Know Stillness" - photo and poem by Cristina M. R. Norcross (Aquinnah Cliffs, Martha's Vineyard)

(Aquinnah Cliffs, Martha's Vineyard)

Know Stillness

If you breathe

through the moment,

it will pass.

If you become one

with the breath,

you will know stillness.

Cristina M. R. Norcross

Copyright 2014

Sharing another offering of poetry and art from my ekphrastic project, Postcards from the Eternal, currently-in-progress.  I have been creating this fusion of photography and poetry for the past 3 years.  I often give these postcards away, as gifts, and donate bulk copies of cards to non-profits and charities.  A selection of these cards are also available online at Fine Art America and at my local indie bookstore, Books & Co. (Oconomowoc, WI).

NEW book! Living Nature's Moments by Cristina M. R. Norcross and Patricia Bashford (pub date April, 2014)

(forthcoming, April 2014 / Vox Novus Press)

In Living Nature’s Moments, Cristina M. R. Norcross and Patricia Bashford celebrate the theatre of nature’s display, as well as pay tribute to how moments of awe-inspiring beauty can nourish and nurture the soul.  Contemplative verse, hidden narratives and innovative visuals invite the reader to create a new story, one that honors our relationship with the natural world.

Cristina M. R. Norcross is the author of Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2007), The Red Drum (2008, 2013), Unsung Love Songs (2010) and The Lava Storyteller (2013).  Her works appear in North American and international journals, such as The Toronto Quarterly, Red Cedar, Your Daily Poem and The Nervous Breakdown.  Featured in the BVAG show, ARTiculate (2011, 2012), Cristina's work also appears in the anthologies, Contemporary Women’s Literature (2007), Verse & Vision (2011, 2012) and Sounds of Solace (2013).  She was the co-editor for the project One Vision: A Fusion of Art & Poetry in Lake Country (2009-11) and is currently one of the co-organizers of Random Acts of Poetry & Art Day.  Cristina is a contributing member for the Art Ambush Project.  Cristina is also the founding editor of the online poetry journal, Blue Heron Review.  Find out more about this author at: www.firkinfiction.com

Patricia Bashford is an award winning photographer and a retired professor of photography, theatre, film, and communications.  A world traveler, her trespasser's eyes connect the revealed image with the rhythms that underpin the landscapes of daily living.  In countries as diverse as Russia, Turkey, Cambodia, China, Greece, Ireland and the United Kingdom, she has captured images that reflect both documentary and personal visions.  Pat works almost exclusively in digital formats, though her background includes the traditional darkroom.  She has exhibited extensively in the Northeast in numerous solo and group shows, and sells her work to private collectors.  She is listed in Women in the Arts and Who’s Who Among Professional Women.  To find out more, visit her website: www.travelswithpat.com

Sample Poem:

You Are Not Really Here

(Inspired by the photography of Pat Bashford)

You are the breeze

that blows a white kitchen curtain

up high above the vision of a field,

while cornbread browns in the oven.

You are a pair of faded, leather sandals

with wooden beads decorating the toes.

They could take you anywhere.

You are the light that flies away

like lightning bugs –

the little sparks from a bonfire.

You are the mighty tide coming in,

challenging the shore.

You are the undercurrent

sending starfish into a spin.

You are not really here.

Your soul has another home –

your birthplace

and your resting place.

Cristina M. R. Norcross

Copyright 2008, 2014

 

 

We Happy Four - poetry and photography by Cristina M. R. Norcross

(Photo by Cristina Norcross / Sculpture art by Bruce Garner, "Joy")

We Happy Four

(Inspired by a sculpture installation on Sparks Street in Ottawa, Canada)

We four, we happy four –

the world rushes by –

a hustle and bustle of crinkling packages

and steaming cups of coffee.

We let them see our faces –

our open lives celebrated in brass.

If they pause,

we become the statues we are –

a mere reflection of the possible.

Most keep walking –

keep rushing about.

I hold my head high –

chin up,

mouth open,

singing in silence

for all to know

the joy of standing still.

Cristina M. R. Norcross

Copyright 2013

Where There is Light - poetry and photography by Cristina M. R. Norcross

Where There is Light

(Photography - a tree in Lake Geneva)

There is light in your hand.

It spreads like a fan –

awakening the melody of movement –

each finger touching words.

Every line begins with story –

the story of a tree,

the story of the sun,

the story of how you started this poem.

There is light in your hand.

You look for it in shadows.

The first flicker of an idea

seems to escape –

a slippery fish.

The tightly held fist

doesn’t hold much.

You must open your hand wide.

Cristina M. R. Norcross

Copyright 2013

www.firkinfiction.com 

Poetry and Photography by Cristina M. R. Norcross Now Available at Fine Art America

In addition to having poetry/photography postcards available at Books & Co. (and other local bookstores ~ coming soon!), an extended selection of fine art prints, framed prints, gallery wrapped giclees and full-sized greeting card sets are now available to order at the Fine Art America site.

Click HERE to be redirected to Cristina Norcross on Fine Art America.  A selection of both photography and ekphrastic poetry layered over photographs is available.

Here are some sample images you'll find.  If you know of a favorite poem by Cristina that you don't see, feel free to CONTACT THE AUTHOR to make a request.  New poetry/photography combinations added each month.

NOTE: To view the collection of poetry/art collaborations ("Poetic Captured Reflections") of Cristina Norcross and Holly Kallie, please visit Holly Kallie's page on the Fine Art America site.  You will want to browse further and see all of Holly's beautiful original paintings on Fine Art America!

"We Are Love" - poetry & photography, Cristina M. R. Norcross

We Are Love

We are all sacred.
We are all love.
See through the veils
which you and others
hang in the doorway
and walk through.

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011
www.FirkinFiction.com

"You Are Free" poetry & photography, Cristina M. R. Norcross

You Are Free

The only limits that bind us
are self-created shackles
of fear, apathy and ego.
Untie your hands –
you are always free.

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011
www.FirkinFiction.com

Poetry/Photography Postcards by Cristina M. R. Norcross NOW AVAILABLE at Books & Co.

Pastoral and lake scenes of Lake Country, WI

Poetry and photography by local author Cristina M. R. Norcross

Large Cards $1 each / Small Cards $0.75
Packets of 10: Large Cards $7 / Small Cards $6

AVAILABLE AT BOOKS & CO.
An independently-owned community-based bookstore serving the Oconomowoc Lake Country and Waukesha area since 1983

1039 Summit Avenue Oconomowoc, WI 53066-4457
(262) 567-0106


Learn more about this author:
www.FirkinFiction.com

"Be the Breath" - poetry and photography, Cristina M. R. Norcross

Be the Breath

The breath connects to the beat –
the sway and swoon of the body
moves to this rhythm also.
Look how you breathe
without thinking.

Feel how the heart beats
without instruction.
You are trying too hard.
Be the breath.
Be the beat.

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011
www.FirkinFiction.com

Loving Your Skin, A Meditation

Loving Your Skin, A Meditation

You are taken by the wind
when the strings begin to play –
like a lover’s attentive touch to every inch of skin.
Wave upon wave of sound reverberates
and refreshes your eyes, mind and muscles,
because you are exactly where you need to be.

You are the pearl with glowing curves
rolling toward an open hand.
Every length and depth of you is beautiful –
from the rising of your shoulders in sleep
to the tender arch of your foot,
held with care by softened leather sandals.

Your divine purpose reaches across every golden field
and every pebbled road to meet the beginning of you.
For you are the world,
and the world exists in you –
in beauty and in acceptance.

Behold, you are the sheen and honeyed glow of your skin.
Know that you are this fullness –
this rich delight.
Whole and healed –
you are the gift.

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011

"You Were Meant for More" poetry & photography, Cristina M. R. Norcross

YOU WERE MEANT FOR MORE

Seek your passion,
play it out –
hold it in your hand
like the delicate bird
that it is,
and then let your soul’s
free flight dictate
where you will go next.

Sitting on the branch
is your regret,
your lack of courage,
your last try
that didn’t quite work.

But this is not you –
this is not the you
that was meant to flourish
and drink up the sun.

You were meant for greater things
than atrophy –
than ennui.
You were meant for life!

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011

"Conversations with an Angel" - poetry & photography, Cristina M. R. Norcross

Conversations with an Angel

A shock of light
permeates the air –
each breath
welcomes you home –
closer to your truth.
Listen –
this is all you need to know.

Soft, silken tones –
these are words of grace.
Flowing like a fountain,
caressing the mind
with water whispers –
forgiveness carries you.
You have everything you need.

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011
www.firkinfiction.com

"Water Stories" - photography & poetry, Cristina M. R. Norcross

Water Stories

I am the afterglow -
wild roots that keep growing.
I am the words looking for song.

I am the tall reeds amidst the wind –
my need for story,
written upon the bluest, open sky.


Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011

"Remember the Joy" - Poetry & Photography, Cristina M. R. Norcross

Remember the Joy

Observe this happiness you dwell in,
and never forget.
Remember this day
like the first light of summer sun -
the first kiss,
the last dance,
the first sip,
the longest look -
the only thing your body remembers
and sings about.
Remember this joy
on the down days.

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011

"Searching for Miracles" Poetry & Photography by Cristina M. R. Norcross

Searching for Miracles

There is a holy tree inside you
where leaves blanket the earth –
where silken petals fly and hover
around your thoughts,
traveling like perfume
on the wind.
This is where you should pray.

A golden, threaded, light source beams
from roots –
to the tip of your violet head.
Eyes seeing for the first time
that this is who you are.
Here – now –
this is who you are.
Why have you come?
What are you waiting for?

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011