I saw a watercolor painting the other day on Facebook, and it was posted along with a poem. Both of them spoke to me on different levels.
The artwork because I like to dabble with watercolors myself (although I am not nearly at this level!), and seeing the way the artist told a story without ever saying a word. It shouts, “True Love!” to me. The manner in which the gentleman is lovingly holding his lady’s hand, and that they are taking the time to experience a quiet moment together is lovely. I adore the way she painted them in a real world scenario, with wrinkles and imperfect bodies – it is simply beautiful to me.
The poem spoke to me because I find myself in this ever-changing time in my life where I feel caught between the need to do all the mundane daily work so it doesn’t hang over my head, and yet wanting to play, and to create, and to spend as much quality time with my husband as I can. We are both aging, and the time passes more quickly each year. It was yet another reminder to me to take time out to not only live life, but to enjoy it.
I contacted the artist and asked her if I could use her painting here on the blog. She graciously agreed, so I present to you “Dust If You Must”, beautifully accompanied by the artwork of Watercolours by Rachel.
Dust If You Must
Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better
To paint a picture, or write a letter,
Bake a cake, or plant a seed;
Ponder the difference between want and need?
Dust if you must, but there’s not much time,
With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb;
Music to hear, and books to read;
Friends to cherish, and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the world’s out there
With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair;
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it’s not kind.
And when you go (and go you must)
You, yourself, will make more dust.
~ Poem by Rose Milligan
~ Artwork by Watercolours by Rachel
