Art is everywhere, if you choose to look.
Lately, as the weather becomes a slightly more pleasurable each day, I am taking the opportunity to get back out on the streets of Toronto to observe what really happens here.
Last Thursday, on the way to an appointment, I was fortunate to notice something I had never seen before.
Just about any day you’ll find Ross Ward hunched over on Yonge Street tending to his art. The ‘Birdman of Toronto’ has been a fixture on these streets in various locations for well over a decade, and during each day he crafts, and sells, palm-sized birds.
Once only a hobby — this is now more than whittling — Ward carves out shapes of common birds from reclaimed wood. There is always a piece in progress, and always a small flock for sale on his concrete workspace.
Perhaps in our day-to-day journeys, we don’t look close enough at all the people. We don’t often observe enough to see art just happening here and there on our landscape. I’ve wandered this street how many times and only last week did I notice the man. I saw him again on the weekend.
Appreciating the beauty of his work, I bought a bird as a gift for someone . . . or maybe a souvenir for myself to one day remember my time in this city.
Couldn’t we all use more memorable hand-made art?
cloud songs
Innocence bathes each shadow
the spaces in-between
Quiet
save gentle birdsong
morning shades senses with
an untranslatable comfort
Mind awash
with appreciation
for what is and
all it may be
This is the now
we have dreamt upon
the moment we wake
the day
we paint shadows and
the spaces between
Substance full of light and
authenticity
the soul is both
a canvas and a palette
Spirit moves
in wide swaths or
provides delicate accents of
hope
confidence
and forgiveness
Embrace change
as you do history family
and honesty
Your thoughts
breath and being
full of kindness
compassion and creativity
What colour
will you be
today?
© 2016 j.g. lewis
April is Poetry Month
something new every day
spread the words