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SOUL
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Windows sas 2005 by Steven Scroggins
When all windows become locked doors When pessimism becomes the norm When windows of the heart and mind and soul are boarded up by the cold vicious hands of time When windows learn no more of sunshine and become gloomy portals of dank sticky shame When windows refuse to open and the caress of breeze realized no more When the luscious scent of flora flounders and the stench of pain so loud it roars When windows are barred with jealous thoughts of what might or could or should have been When windows are all broken yet perceived too jagged to crawl through Then evil will have thought to of beat us the cool pessimist prevailed When the last of all called good does plummet
OPE IS A COMMODITY THAT CAN ’ T BE PURCHASED AT ANY PRICE . It is an amazing stimulant that gets me up and going each morning . The boost hope gives far exceeds any quad shot latte or other stimulants I have ever tried . Through this past couple years of unprecedented worldwide challenge , my hope has been tested and stretched , yet fortunately grown exponentially !
I am grateful , yet sad for the throngs of my fellow humans that are hurting and hampered from fulfilling their own dreams . I have decided the best I can do to help the overall situation is to be a better me . I believe hope is infectious and likely to spread or influence others in a rapid manner for good and not for evil . I believe fear is evil , dark and destructive but that hope brings light and life and assurance of better days ahead .
I attempt to exhibit these attitudes through my various artistic endeavors . I like to say , “ Every mark matters !” Whether words , thoughts or actions , I believe every mark makes a lasting impact on those around us . So I work hard at choosing to help instead of hurt , to lift up instead of put down , bring hope instead of fear . Art is my weapon , my tool , my therapeutic release from stress or doubt .
I tend to get bored easily . Thankfully I have a wide variety of outlets , whether photography , sculpture , music , painting in oil or water-based materials or utilizing text , exemplified here in my “ Windows ” poem . I allow myself to bounce from one to the other or incorporate these together , reminiscent of one of my art heroes , Robert Rauschenberg . We all have this season to live , love and make more art . Embrace the gift of hope — you ’ ll be glad you did ! like teardrops from an unborn child and lay wasted in a murky puddle away from sight and touch and sound When all windows become terrifying doors of seclusion and all keys of hope vanish in mystifying urban lore Still the grace of God will come shining through piercing tomb and torment and all sorrow known and each person who cries out for mercy will know the warmth of love once more .
Steven Scroggins By appointment residential studio / gallery
86 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE