Tender Rebellion

Update on The Summer Book Project

In the second half of 2020 I started a book-long erasure poetry and collage project: The Summer Book project.

I have been mining Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book for poetic lines that express the isolation of living with a bewildering chronic illness and the struggle to keep a sense of purpose. This came about after reading a line in the introduction about how “an island can be dreadful for someone from the outside” and how it “has no need of you”. I just couldn’t decide if I’m the person the island has no need of or if I’m the island.

Progress has been slow, because I’m constantly distracted by a million things. Then there was some growth.

I wrote a post a while back “Where to go from here“. I talk about how I realised that this victim narrative was keeping me trapped in my discomfort. So now I’m making a conscious effort to draw out the positive instead of the negative.

I’d like to share some of these newer erasure works with you today 😊

You can also follow my progress on my Instagram page.

Something lovely walked on music, and everywhere was a drawing full of gold.
The minutes poured into her hand and opened up the night.
Follow me. We’re safe on this island.
Calm hours have smooth spines, as sleek and pale as the sea of summer.
A crack turned into a canyon of peace and quiet.
,
, , , , , , , ,

Published by

Conny

Responses

  1. Eryl Gasper-Dick Avatar
    Eryl Gasper-Dick

    These are wonderful.

    Like

  2. Cindy Georgakas Avatar
    Cindy Georgakas

    I love this insight Conny ” I just couldn’t decide if I’m the person the island has no need of or if I’m the island.”

    And your images with your poetry are just gorgeous!!!
    💞

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Conny Avatar
      Conny

      Thank you, Cindy! Being a strong introvert, I relish the isolation sometimes. I guess this illness has given me the space to find those parts of my childhood self again, that I had lost in the process of being moulded into “a productive member of society.”

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Cindy Georgakas Avatar
        Cindy Georgakas

        You’re so welcome!
        This is such a gift!!💕

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Layla Todd Avatar
    Layla Todd

    What fascinating artistic interpretations of poetry! Loving the muse-like feel of these pieces. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Conny Avatar
      Conny

      Thank you, Layla!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. SelmaMartin Avatar
    SelmaMartin

    Too beautiful.
    Your Creativity rocks!
    I will forever be wondering how you get the images over the page.
    Words are lovely. Thanks, Conny.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Conny Avatar
      Conny

      Thank you, Selma! Wonder no more… 😊 I mainly work digitally. I use an application called GIMP. It’s a open source (free) program that does everything that Photoshop does. So, it’s all about layers and blending options and transparency.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. SelmaMartin Avatar
        SelmaMartin

        Gimp. Thanks for sharing that. Keep inspiring me. Beautiful work you do. 👏

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Dominic Alapat Avatar
    Dominic Alapat

    These erasure works are beautiful Conny! Loved the artwork, and the lovely lines! I particularly liked, ‘Calm hours have smooth spines, as sleek and pale as the sea of summer.’ Best wishes for drawing out the positive in you, and your Summer Book Project!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Conny Avatar
      Conny

      Dominic, you’re so kind! Thank you for your support.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dominic Alapat Avatar
        Dominic Alapat

        My pleasure Conny!

        Liked by 1 person

%d bloggers like this: