Monday, February 15, 2010

Under The Wing of a Hawk




Shrewd of eye, sharp of ear, the Hawk is a magnificent hunter and protective mother. In time she will teach her offspring the ways to capture prey and survive in the wild.

I was raised by a woman who is quite like a hawk: smart, instinctive and completely invested in my survival, giving me all the knowledge I could ever need to thrive in this world.

There are still days even now when I need her like a small child, though I rarely allow myself the emotional luxury of dwelling in that place of deep lack - you see, she taught me that a strong spirit is one of the most important cultivated possessions a person could ever have.

So I sit quietly with my tears, my grief, my anger or injustice and I work to find that place inside that is beyond all pain, beyond all perceived slights.
It is the source of endless strength that we all have in our bravery.
It is accessible whenever we need it most.
It is never farther away than a prayer
or
a surrender.


In making this wing cuff, my mother was constantly on my mind; the parent she was and is, the gifts of maternal wisdom I am certain to receive should I have a child of my own...

We are all under some Greater wing, be it that of a mother, a Mother, a father or a Father. 

Strong as our arms are, supple as our musculature can be it's a nice reminder to have our delicate wrist under the wing of a bird,


wrapped in Falconiforme wisdom
protected by sharp vision
and
the luminous instinct to survive.

12 comments:

Jaime/GirlLovesGloss said...

oh my....
Such strength and impact - love it!
Jaime

susie said...

Love it. I'm a bit obsessed with our resident neighborhood hawk- I must have a million pictures of him,and I never tired of watiching him. Love the analogy of mom and hawk. I hope my children think so highly of me as you do your mom.

Rosy Revolver said...

You're amazing. Have I said that before?

miznyc said...

It's breathtaking! This post! This piece!

Kiki said...

The coloration of that cuff is so earthy and rich! Maybe you could incorporate the new wing design into a necklace, like the feather or koi fish. Then, you could get the full of effect of the wing and all of its beautiful lines!

MrsLittleJeans said...

This is too real Allison, how I too feel about my mother! Lovely in every way!

xx

westbyron said...

absolutely amazing...absolutely stunning.

Anonymous said...

You are quite the genius, Ms. Sunny. Lovely.

AppaloosaMoon said...

...my heart just skipped a beat...



LOVE @ first sight...

Brooke Arin said...

this is amazing, allison. just gorgeous.

candacemorris said...

WOWZA!

Christina Edwards said...

oh wow. amazing.