The Cabinet of Harvest Moons

Hidden in the junk shop shadows

smelling of musty moth balls.

A disagreeable and friendless character looms.

Who would have thought?

Over a century ago,

a powerful piece once stood.

Now, like a begging ex army solider

rinsed of himself and spat out onto the street.

Forgotten and discarded.

At the price of pennies, it has no worth.

Holding a secret that only I can see,

I conjure.

I have a twinkle in my eye

for which a transformation will begin.

Using only my time and craft,

this creature of the shadows

will once again be a cherished and celebrated guest of honour.

Brought back to life with love and colour

A striking piece will behold.

First it must be stripped.

A sandstorm hurricane of sawdust,

naked and exposed.

The creature has lost its coats of many years

seems dreadfully defeated;

but, we must yet not retreat.

Go forth and embrace the healing powers of colour.

The paintbrush dips into the liquid pot

fresh emerald green I choose.

Inside, a colour of soft whipped cream, warm in hue, light and airy.

Standing proud like a tall lupin flower

bathing our souls and lifting its mood.

A transformation in full swing.

The moons are now delicately traced.

Inspired by the geometry of shape

the meeting of two points

the line

the space between

beautiful in simplicity

Intrinsically completes.

Swoosh the ink glides through the silk screen.

Sun burst yellow against the midnight night blue.

Repetitively, hypnotising

the hand stitching begins,

unison in length and line.

Marigold rings, flowers and grasses

echoing the circle moons.

My sewing scissors in continuous use

21 years old and meticulously treasured,

sharp and sleek 'pumpkin’ in colour.

Keenly snipping cotton lines

as if cutting imaginary cords to people

who have previously weighed me down;

I breath, let go and release.

Finally,

A coat of light wax for the crown

brass hinges shined,

the panels hung proud.

As if 'a coming together' for a ceremony

The journey is complete.

A contrasting character is born.

A welcomed friend and one to stay.

No longer dark or broken

It beckons for us to look, touch and admire

basking in its own light and glory.

The “Cabinet of Harvest Moons” it is named.

I stare with pure pleasure

Eyes soak in, feeding my soul with a giant grin.

My inner child sings.

This ‘resident’ has reward

a new purpose.

To cradling my cherished tools of craft.

Fit to burst

It's belly so full

of ribbons, buttons, zips gaoler,

paints, printing inks and threads;

Reels of cotton tangled like binding weeds

Sewing equipment abundant

Safety pins, pins, needles with eyes

My beloved sewing scissors

Seam rippers in their numbers;

and giant paint brushes.

A rainbow array of colourful soft, silky fabrics

taken for-granted of how they were made.

Treasures all now held, in the swell

of the Cabinet of Harvest Moons.

Full of desires and dreams

patiently waiting.

Sparks ignite

I crave more

this cabinet a first

has opened a creative door

a porthole to an exciting world

touching the souls of the neglected

through a multitude of hues and texture

A Rebirth.

This is a cycle can you see?

Before we choose to discard,

take a second look

can we bring new life?

Let us not get sucked up

in this consumer world of newly must haves.

We do not want our souls to become

as the shadows in the junk store

to forget to care

of themselves or others.

We do not want our minds to become too busy to notice,

for in front of our eyes we cannot see

of little time, years may pass.

Domani Domani the Italians say, but, tomorrow may never come.

Lets slow time down, while we still can

we are really in no rush

pay attention

make time

to listen

to care

to preserve

maintain

for yourself

for your friends

for your family

or a stranger be.

An act of love for others, seemingly so small, will make their day, or week,

or year.

For they may well have been neglected before.

Stoking the inner fire to glow once more.

The real joys come from things we give time to.

Allow ourselves time

to cherish and love.

The Cabinet of Harvest Moons,

oh so plentiful,

now gives back so much more.

Full of riches, jewels and gems to be used and replenished

It invites us now

come

open its doors.