Mandala #2 – Slowing the Daily Whirl

Second Mandala – Slowing the Daily Whirl

This mandala was just finished yesterday and as I was drawing it, I realized I was attempting – almost literally – to unwind. The title followed…
Having a few days off work I felt I had the time to draw a fairly elaborate pattern and allow the space to quiet my mind. Once again, some patterns are “zentangle” inspired but this time, others came from looking at traditional Buddhist mandalas. A colour version may follow …but not today. 🙂

UPDATE: New poem from Tom! Just posting now since I was off-line for a few days …that also helps with the unwinding!
Thanks Tom! The poem really reflects the nature of this mandala!!

within wheels the turning turning forms
each exotic ecstasy enfolds
syncopated synergies the norm
countering the rotors of the bold
geometry and moments of the wheel
turning through the stations of the cross
reaching deep to find what’s only real
tessellating like a spinning boss
around the central singularity
wherein the secret sits alone unknown
enigma cloaked in puzzled mystery
beneath dark clouds the windmill’s arms are blown
by daily whirls of work and joy and sin
that spin the wheels and spin the wheels within

image (cc) 2016 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2016 Tom Radcliffe

today’s doodle – two crows…

two crows joy

For some reason, I was thinking during the week that the next bird in the series needed to be a crow. When I started to look for interesting photos for inspiration, I was reminded of the rhyme “one crow sorrow, two crows joy…” and so of course decided to do two crows – more of a challenge too! I actually did a computer doodle on that theme some time ago (2011!). In any case, I found this fabulous photo (scroll down – it’s the eighth photo in their post) and got to work.

This time, I left the drawing strictly black and white with just a bit of pencil shading – which seemed right for the subject. I had originally thought that it would be 3 1/2″x 5″ like the last doodles I posted but the crows took over the page and spilled onto the margin. Once again, inspired by “Zentangle”… I am pretty pleased with the effect.

UPDATE: New poem from Tom just right for the image as usual – thanks Tom!

We’ve gotta stick together, Bud,
upon this cable’s span
clinging ‘gainst the gusty winds
that blow from Autumn’s fan.

I’ll lean on you, you lean on me
we’ll be OK together
no matter what tomorrow brings,
nor even what the weather.

You’re lookin’ slightly hollow there
your wickerwork’s askew
but stick with me and sure as eggs [*]
you know I’ll stick with you.

Then in the Spring we’ll fly away
and build us nests of gold:
fresh straw and twigs, the very best,
for Fortune’s with the bold

and who is bolder than we two
who cling to this thin wire
up in the sky while groundling folk
stand firmly in the mire?

It isn’t always pleasant here
but ain’t the view just fine?
And when you’re famous-rich I’ll say
you was a friend of mine!

poem (c) 2015 TJ Radcliffe

image (cc) 2015 Hilary Farmer