Some challenges are going to be easier and some more demanding; some will be more of a stretch than others. Once a week a challenge will be posted here on the blog with some thoughts, suggestions or whatever to hopefully help with your inspiration. Keep in mind there are no requirements other than stick to the challenge. Work as large or small, in the medium of your choice and in whatever style you chose.
If you can, have someone read this poem to you while you sit listening with your eyes closed and visualize the imagery, otherwise read through it a couple of times out loud and perhaps make some notes; then it’s off to work. Leave the poem behind. The fact is that all artwork, even realism, is imaginary because it is the artist individual visual interpretation within the confines of their perception, skill and medium. The point is to access YOUR pure impressions and only that which is within you. Again, work as large or small as you like, in the medium of your choice and in whatever style you chose. When you finish, if you like, go to the Facebook group Imaginary and post an image of your work. Please post the name of the challenge you are responding to and any other info you chose to include such as medium, size, name of the piece, etc. Please, keep your postings relevant to the groups focus. Thanks!
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
By Maya Angelou
A free bird leaps on the back
Of the wind and floats downstream
Till the current ends and dips his wing
In the orange suns rays
And dares to claim the sky.
But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
Of things unknown but longed for still
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
And the trade winds soft through
The sighing trees
And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright
Lawn and he names the sky his own.
But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.
Of the wind and floats downstream
Till the current ends and dips his wing
In the orange suns rays
And dares to claim the sky.
But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
Of things unknown but longed for still
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
And the trade winds soft through
The sighing trees
And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright
Lawn and he names the sky his own.
But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.
