Ladies & Gentlemen & Children of All Ages....
Erected in front of the Post Traumatic Stress Center in New Haven is a piece of carnage that was once a steel girder from 9/11. Thrusting out of the foundation it is cemented into, it emerges towards the sky as an unrelenting symbol of survival we all identify with.
The brown carpeted stairway winding it's way to the 2nd floor of the PTSC, which was once a firehouse, is adorned with a huge twisted metal sculpture suspended from the ceiling. Depicting someone's inner turmoil, it is creatively displayed and immediately understood. The gnarly metal with sharp edges is tightly coiled and tangled around itself. Diffcult to tell where it begins or ends, much like someone's tangled past which is raveled around itself with no seemingly way in or out.
Ascending the stairs, art work wraps around the brick firehouse walls and continues up the steps. Nine steps and a landing. A landing placed to take a breather and glance at someone's soul displayed on the walls. Another nine steps, another landing in which to ponder and wonder about the lives of the artful survivors.
Abstract works of art, scream at you with their clashing colors and jagged shapes and beckon your attention. Other works of art are drawn with child-like mindfulness, but the content is far from a childhood lived in peace.
One drawing depicts grave markers of dead soldiers with ransom like writing- RIP - on the tombstones. Fallen comrades, drawn and remembered by the survivors with names, places, and field of death.
One startling piece is framed in a glass boxed frame. Nails, nuts, bolts and screws lie in a heap at the bottom of the frame.
The title: Pieces of the Survivor.
The artwork is stunning and dark, yet a glimmer of hope resides in each and every piece.
At the top of the stairs is the Trauma Group meeting room.
In this room on the second floor are the current survivors of their own personal war. A war that was declared on them, and not by them. They too were called into battle on someone else's terms.
The people in this room are part of my current circus. They bring their own acts as I bring mine. Escape artists, clowns, mimes, magicians, trapeze artists, sword swallowers and 1 or 2 who consider themselves to be the sideshow freaks.
We have perfected our acts that have gotten us through life to shield ourselves from our abusers and our perpetrators and anyone else who tries to get "too close".
It's now time to take off the masks, costumes, cast away the titles we've been given and face our fears with the same courage that has allowed us to survive.
The Ring Master, TGD is waiting.
to be continued.
The brown carpeted stairway winding it's way to the 2nd floor of the PTSC, which was once a firehouse, is adorned with a huge twisted metal sculpture suspended from the ceiling. Depicting someone's inner turmoil, it is creatively displayed and immediately understood. The gnarly metal with sharp edges is tightly coiled and tangled around itself. Diffcult to tell where it begins or ends, much like someone's tangled past which is raveled around itself with no seemingly way in or out.
Ascending the stairs, art work wraps around the brick firehouse walls and continues up the steps. Nine steps and a landing. A landing placed to take a breather and glance at someone's soul displayed on the walls. Another nine steps, another landing in which to ponder and wonder about the lives of the artful survivors.
Abstract works of art, scream at you with their clashing colors and jagged shapes and beckon your attention. Other works of art are drawn with child-like mindfulness, but the content is far from a childhood lived in peace.
One drawing depicts grave markers of dead soldiers with ransom like writing- RIP - on the tombstones. Fallen comrades, drawn and remembered by the survivors with names, places, and field of death.
One startling piece is framed in a glass boxed frame. Nails, nuts, bolts and screws lie in a heap at the bottom of the frame.
The title: Pieces of the Survivor.
The artwork is stunning and dark, yet a glimmer of hope resides in each and every piece.
At the top of the stairs is the Trauma Group meeting room.
In this room on the second floor are the current survivors of their own personal war. A war that was declared on them, and not by them. They too were called into battle on someone else's terms.
The people in this room are part of my current circus. They bring their own acts as I bring mine. Escape artists, clowns, mimes, magicians, trapeze artists, sword swallowers and 1 or 2 who consider themselves to be the sideshow freaks.
We have perfected our acts that have gotten us through life to shield ourselves from our abusers and our perpetrators and anyone else who tries to get "too close".
It's now time to take off the masks, costumes, cast away the titles we've been given and face our fears with the same courage that has allowed us to survive.
The Ring Master, TGD is waiting.
to be continued.
posted by Suzy at 12:45 PM
15 Comments:
ABSOLUTE PERFECTION! You've NAILED this! Every word is gorgeous and evocative! Your best writing to date!
I can see every piece of art and the little scrap of hope in each! Beautifully painted Suz.
"...a huge twisted metal sculpture suspended from the ceiling. Depicting someone's inner turmoil, it is creatively displayed and immediately understood. The gnarly metal with sharp edges is tightly coiled and tangled around itself. Diffcult to tell where it begins or ends, much like someone's tangled past..."
I see that metal. I feel the energy of it. Through your writing, I know it. This is fantastic, Suze. What a place to walk through on your way to your healing.
Other standout lines:
"...called into battle on someone else's terms."
and the whole last paragraph, esp. "face our fears with the same courage that has allowed us to survive." No greater challenge, my friend. Onward. xo t
What an awesome description! So nice to read your words today. Thanks, Suzy!
"They too were called into battle on someone else's terms."
Incredible writing, my friend. And like others, I'm delighted to see you here. Gonna go reread the piece, right this very minute.
Suzy you were born to write.
Awesome post.
Love.
That's an awsome description, beautifully stated and it looks like there is a glimmer of that light at the end of the tunnel beginning to show. Keep up the good work. I send you love.
js from NC
So very nice to have you back! Indeed, you are a memoir writer!
One startling piece is framed in a glass boxed frame. Nails, nuts, bolts and screws lie in a heap at the bottom of the frame.
The title: Pieces of the Survivor.
The artwork is stunning and dark, yet a glimmer of hope resides in each and every piece.
Link is on it! As is Grammer! Keep going.
xo
(you're rockin' it, baby)
Incredible Suz. Something has shifted, it's true. Your seeing, your voice, the way you stand back and witness but without any distance at all bring us to the center of meaning and experience. Beautiful.
WOW. I am floored. AMAZING writing Miss Suzy!!
Sorry to be so slow in my reply, when I read this days ago and just wanted to come read it again and again.
Incredible, beautiful, and so evocative in the details. Brava!
I come back from vacation to this! Hooray! It is so wonderful to find a new post here. Your writing has changed. It feels deeper, more connected to your pain, and contains a glimmer of hope. Absolutely beautiful - just like the writer! So glad to have you back. Hoping you don't make me wait so long next time! :)
Abosutely fantastic writing, Suzy!
just f'ing gorgeous all the through!
you rock!
and, ditto Kim! I've been here and read this multiple times!
Suzy,
This took by breath away when you first posted it. I have been back to read and re-read several times, and each time brings something new. It is absolutely Beautiful, full of hope and healing.
Love You.
The people in this room are part of my current circus. ..Escape artists, clowns, mimes, magicians, trapeze artists, sword swallowers and 1 or 2 who consider themselves to be the sideshow freaks.
truly gut-wrenching description.
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