A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about visual journaling with your own images. But, what if someone else journaled or wrote something about one of your images?

My good friend, Norah Oulahen, is a painter and a poet. A few years ago, we collaborated on a project called “Exploring Edges.” I gave her images that included edges, and she wrote a poem based on the image. It was a fun and creative process.

We are planning more of these types of collaborations and, occasionally I will share a piece with you.

Recently, Norah shared some writing she did while on the subway. I paired it with three images of mine (see below). I think she captures beautifully the experience of being in that moment.
 

“I sit pondering the subway buzz and the white noise I hear from the ear phones around me. A plug. A whimper. In this small space I see line and shape moving toward me. I sit so close to the man beside me that I feel his jacket lock my button. It is not awkward. I realize it is familiar to city crush, people in process, strangers on the move. Suddenly, light shines and the dark tunnel pulls the train forward as if “through darkness we will find an answer.” Each person dresses for a different season, some winter, some summer and other spring hopes. The blank thoughts seem to move in circles in the train. Looks lift, pause and drift again. I breath deeper. I sense everyone is part of my breath, I echo their pain, their stress. I know I breath. That much I know for sure. And they do. Other things are a mystery. I feel a tightness and a release. I don’t want to be anything, especially original, just me in transit. I love this moment. I hold my breath and wiggle in my seat. The man next to me moves and we smile. I know words are not needed in this social experience. We hear one another in motion.” ~ Norah Oulahen

Have you had a similar collaboration?

 
Norah Oulahen – The Poet in Me

Our Project – Exploring Edges

Brenda Gottsabend and Lisa Ahn Collaboration – Wing-Feather Fables