Mandala #43's ground is a letter that my artist and musician friend, Kevin, signed on June 27, 1989, when he was still able to use a typewriter. He had been diagnosed with ALS a few years earlier and wanted his letter to be sent to his friends and loved ones after his death. As the ALS progressed, his speech could be understood only by the one closest to him. He died on June 25, 1991. It was only after my friend, Deven (Kevin's wife) died unexpectedly this last February that I realized Kevin's major role in leading me to do a series of mandalas in recent years. His final paintings were monumental mandalas. Kevin and Deven were unwavering in their enthusiasm for my art work during a time when I felt inadequate and uncertain and lost in so many ways.
My goal once again this year is to complete 12 mandalas. My first mandala was for Deven. Now it is July, and my second mandala is for Kevin.
Meditation on Mother Earth:
The Cart The strap that holds the cart in rein Has been let loose by wearing thin By wearing thin, by biting through The shift in power leans to you And the cart is on a wheel I've wept with joy for the things I've done And I've wept as hard for what I left undone For what I left undone For what I couldn't deem mine For what I thought was yours And so I drew the line And the cart is on a wheel And the wheel is on a hill I heard someone fall I saw another one flail I saw an arm dig deep Where there was no rail Well there is no rail And there's no 'because' Though the body be strong The Spirit is law And the cart is on a wheel And the wheel is on a hill And the hill is shifting sand And inside these laws we stand. If we are lives and souls to keep If we are Love, I hope we do not sleep I hope we do not sleep I hope we stay our ground Hold fast to the Mother as she turns us 'round. 'Cause the cart is on a wheel And the wheel is on a hill And the hill is shifting sand And inside these laws we stand. Hold fast to the Mother...hold fast.
(Song and lyrics by Ferron)
