Sunday, August 3, 2008

in which the fish looks at things with her hatchling



I take her by the arm.
I say: we are going out today.

To the other side of town: this here is part of my landscape, as you know. I show her tracks invisible to the naked eye.



Here in this market, I tell her, I used to sell strange jewellery.
A kind of collision between Elizabethan miniature and the remains of a car smash: I was well known for them.
At the end of the day my eyes would be full of the fluff from the pods of the trees, which was sprinkling down as I told her this in the silver sunshine. Just like always.

It used to be more edgy then, I tell her.





Then there was cockatoo Island: I thought I may have to defend the Biennale Artworks. This could be tiresome if so.
But it wasn't necessary, and I was surprised.
William Kentridge a favourite of hers, as it happens.
Despite the potential for the site to completely engage all thoughts, the works spoke intriguingly enough within them.

It was hard to emerge from a dark space in which one was immersed in an enactment of the 1984 Coal Riots in Northern England into the shining day here on Cockatoo Island.



Soon I shall post at length about cockatoo island. Tomorrow I will paint and I will not think about anything but that.




At the end of the day she was holding my hand.

17 comments:

Red Hen (dette) said...

That's lovely!

Jellyhead said...

I'm so glad you two had fun together. And that last line gave me happy goosebumps.

Kate Moore said...

Good for you ... art can be common ground ... I once waited on a Sunday until my "she" (one of three) was so completely bored I dragged her off to a regional showing of the Archibalds. She still paints today. Yesterday she let me help her with her textiles homework. Next weekend I take her to a runway show for the fashion festival. Always searching for middle ground. Enough that I won't be bored to snores, enough to make it appealing - and noteworthy/boastworthy - for her. Sigh. Too hard. When does it get easier? Does it get easier? In the words of a Mamma Mia mum, "I had fun once".

Anonymous said...

Lovely closing sentence.

Kirti said...

what a way to end a day. how wonderful. (and those beautiful ceramic pieces, cups? vases?)

meggie said...

This country has such a light, that unusual things can take place. Almost miracuously.
Hugs Fifixx

meggie said...

Or even, miraculously!!

Anonymous said...

Oh so beautiful. Eloquant.Loved it.

Mary said...

I am glad.

Your own silvery golden day!

meli said...

sounds like a very good day.

meggie said...

Here I am again, stalking you!
Today is the 8th of the 8th, so Happy Birthday Fifi!!xx

a kings cross muse said...

Yes .... we were born on the same day. That is so cool.
And all the 8's as well, Have a great birthday and I'll see if I can get a poem going to celebrate! x

Suse said...

Happy birthday Fifish!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely day. Sounds perfect!

Pod said...

cherish such moments fifi!
i intend to go to the island this sunday
have a great weekend yourself

meli said...

is it really your birthday? i hope you have some nice cake. xxx

now i will go back and finish the section i have been poking my pen at all day. i will i will i will!

fifi said...

thank you all!


kirti, they are fine porcelain cups and vases.

katiecracker, I love your comment.

actually everybody I love all your comments.

meli, I did have cuttlefish balls, and some caramel cake but not raspberry rollup cake...