daphne's narrow escape

Media: Mixed Media, Found Objects on Wood Panel
Dimensions: 24" x 48"
Date of Work: 10/03

the last thing I remember, was running,

And him- Close Behind

Hot breath

at my nape

Hungry hands-

The scalding graze

Of eager fingers

His face

As sweet as a seraphs smile

Poised mid-smite

-the flaming sword!

And me, Blindly lunging Forward. Breathless Dizzy The world dissolving- Into blur

Like one of those crack-of-dawn nightmares Where you’re running fast From some
faceless fear and always in slow motion!

But at the final moment- Just as he was poised to enter..

I dodged his aim

By becoming something other then his prey

Now, unseen behind this little leaf of green arms outstretched My trunk intact
Feet firmly planted where they paused I proudly stand unbroken.

So what if I can never turn my head To change the view

Or tap my foot to music Or blink or speak Or even, just a little, move

And Who among you, in my place, Would not do the same?

Who would not sue for shelter In the semblance of a stone? Or implore
the boundless ocean To swallow them up whole?

Who would not beg To be remade back into humble clay? or, if they could

Engraft Themselves to some dark

Secluded wood?

For isn’t shade a better fate Then to burn in God’s consuming flame? That
kindles all our fond illusions Like so many autumn leaves

Snaps the little self in two As if a brittle twig

And shakes us Like a sudden wind hard and

long

Deep

down

To our Buried roots

(Poetry by Dane O'Hara)