"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