
Today is the first Thursday of November and a group of bloggers gather to share their spiritual journey. Fran selected the theme for today, holy. I immediately thought of the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy. I thought of the torn apart hymnal I was given by an artist friend to use for collage. I didn’t find that hymn but one that did use the word Holy. I wanted to create an erasure or black out poem. I googled Zentangle designs and set to work on the page.
This exercise became meditative and holy. I used a pen that I had picked up from my dad. He was a pointillist artist. I felt his presence as I imagined the time he spent making dots on a drawing. He was always fascinated by the play of dark and light. One of his favorite Bible verses was John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Sufjan Stevens has a wonderful version of Holy, Holy, Holy that I am placing here for you to listen to. These singers are wonderful, but they start goofing around on the video around the 3 minute mark.
Wishing you a happy and holy holiday season. What does holy mean to you?
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Margaret, there is something meditative about zentangles. With no restrictions it allows the artist to go where s/he wants. Your poem illustrates that holiness doesn’t have to be over the top, but can be found in simple quiet prayer.
Margaret, thank you! This is a beautiful depiction of holiness, and a process I would like to try. Love it!
Margaret, I am so moved by the act of drawing with your father’s pen (fascinating that that he was a pointillist artist) and with the incorporation of John 1:15 as you meditated through the Zentangle design. Holy, holy, holy, indeed – stunning and powerful, as creating is meant to be. This is lovely on so many levels. The song was in my mind also, with this theme – I am thankful that you referenced it here. Thank you for your magnificent offering!
Margaret, I love how you used the page of the hymn to create the Zentangle cross design and your poem. And that you used your father’s pen and referenced one of his favorite verses. I’m always in awe of the creativity of my fellow travelers.
Margaret, your Zentangle cross is so lovely with its small poem/found poem. To think that you used your father’s pen to create your Zentangle must have brought a certain peace. Your father was with you in spirit. I am glad you share your father’s favorite Bible verses. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” It is a hopeful line to ponder. Have a holy weekend filled with the love of family.