i flew in my dreams througha cave of tearsin oceans of tearsthe tear tries to change its shapesharpens itselfstrike of fearit will become a knife yeta sharpened tear is a leafwhen featheredcan fly through lightflywaterleaflight
i am waterwithin watersair water falling toliquid water drinking tobodies of lifemagnetic flux moonscentred powerswithin vorticities of watersthat stretch, grow,and formthe deep voided faceof the universe breathesicicle fern frondembryo’s tree & human & it dries & dries &floats & flies intoferromagneticmud
luminosity’s compassion is weightier than symbols solight equals time herradiance is flowinglike the water’s skinreflecting trees within shadows casta silken cloth laidbetween uslife in the warmth oflight is kinder than numbersthe deep water’s faceis shaped byreflections of radiancelightequalstime
communal rain gathers and rivuletstwisting and rushingall our paths we step uponare carved by water marathonseven our lungs breathe liquid airin the same feathered root shapestrees drink water within the dark earthtrillions of webbed rootscradling the shape of the earthwhen the last tree goes we will simply crumblewaters link and form elementsinto veins andbark and skin and breatheand heart without waterit cracks and dusts as ocean heart beats crush sand grains endlessly forming the pathwater drew between the earth and the sea.sandwaterdrawing
light and time patterneach other wildlyin strict choreographyas birds are masters of dancing with lightand touching heaven’s facewhen mud-formed creaturesgaze on water’s skinwhen ripples ofabundant sea thingsfly through their own skiesdreaming of breathinggods mirror multitudinouslymoves endless fractalswhere rest is sacred and illusionendless motion standing stillwe are finished and completeonewordallwouldchange
light before the stars and moonwhen all is finishedyet infinitely cyclesthrough life and deathwaves, waves of lifewithin and withoutlight created timeupon the deep waterssilken surfacemagnetised watersmud forming encasedcreaturesseed within itself not withouta tree, us, weshare roots, and frondslet it bethe paths water drew as artwhenplantswaitforsun
Lathalia Song
3 Questions for Lathalia
What was your process for creating this work?
Lots of reading about origin stories, fascinated by identity. Combined with walking so often under gum trees, Australian sky, the beach and river. I wanted to create a contemporary origin story for myself that was respectful of the Indigenous caretakers and my own experience. The poems are the word version of the images I see when I reflect on my path through a land I don’t fully understand, and a very challenging life. I wanted to make a gentle challenge to how we see meaning by using no capitals and pushing the title words together with no spaces, and using a freeform pattern.
What is the significance of the genres/mediums you chose for this work?
The fabric is so important, my dear old grandma supported her four children and disabled husband making frocks in rural Australia. Her example of tenacity, business and friendliness inspired me, I love fabrics because of her. The screen printed ink process is part of my personal reflective journey, using oodles of glorious colour and a giant squeegee, don’t you love that word! Then layering the design on top of that colour to mimic the layers in nature and in my life. Colours have been so soothing and healing, how many greens are there I ask!?
What is the significance of this work to you?
These works are my way of integrating the massive grief I have at times carried with the concurrent beauty of life, just like my local river. There is such a pull to only see grief, see only the water. They are also an attempt to represent the intricacies of multiple experiences in one day. The visual aspect of my poems are a deep reminder of how possible it is to be stricken and whole at the same time. Also, very exciting, you can get little print copies soon from my new website flywaterleaflight.com.au, not launching till November 2021. Would love to share my little fables and poems with you all!
Lathalia's art is a process of integration of life, near death experiences and everyday nature miracles. She uses poetry and images from her inner self walking in nature. Lathalia Song has "ings"; writing, creating, guiding, advocating, and screenprinting ink designs on calico, splashing in small watercolours, simultaneously dreaming up poetry for healing and meaning. Finding freedom in the way nature makes her illustrations. Currently an editor for Authora Australis https://www.authora.net/. Once an editor, designer, and copywriter for various design agencies. Sharing the joy of creativity each year at heffalumpdezign.com.
Social media tags are Twitter: Hope Song@flywaterleaf, Instagram: lathaliahopesong, editor for Authora Australis https://www.authora.net/
