Friday, March 2, 2012

the Butterfly Project

"The Butterfly"
The last, the very last,
So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.
Perhaps if the sun’s tears would sing
against a white stone....
Such, such a yellow
Is carried lightly ’way up high.
It went away I’m sure
because it wished
to kiss the world good-bye.
For seven weeks I’ve lived in here,
Penned up inside this ghetto.
But I have found what I love here.
The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut branches in the court.
Only I never saw another butterfly.
That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don’t live in here, in the ghetto.
Pavel Friedman, June 4, 1942
Born in Prague on Jan. 7, 1921.
Deported to the Terezin Concentration Camp on April 26, 1942.
Died in Aushchwitz on Sept. 29, 1944.


Whether it was the fact that my early childhood was in a Jewish neighborhood, or that the mother of my first childhood "crush" was a survivor of the camps; I have always held a special place in my heart for the Jewish people and especially for the victims of the Holocaust. So when I heard about the Butterfly Project by the Holocaust Museum in Houston, it wasn't a question of "if" but "what" shall I make. The inspiration for this, was the poem itself. I tried to put myself in the ghetto or a camp, & think about what seeing a golden butterfly would represent. It would represent Hope of a life outside these walls, Freedom to fly wherever without fear or cruelty, and Life instead of death.
This is the piece I am sending for the Butterfly Project. You can learn more about it here.

6 comments:

  1. I agree, it's a beautiful poem and painting.

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    1. Hi Ann, thanks so much for the compliment & for stopping by! I enjoyed your blog as well! :D

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  2. Simply Beautiful, Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Oh thank you so very much! It's so nice of you to stop by & leave a kind word!! :D

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  3. Hiya babe!!
    Well, well, well, showing just how smart you are at following instructions! I'm so glad to hear that their clear enough. One wonders you know!!

    Wanna read an article?? Hmmm? It's finished, I'll email it, Yay!
    Oh, and I am adding to Etsy a few pieces of jewelry I made last year and promptly put in the bottom of a drawer, unworn. so I'm polishing up the silver findings and listing them now, I'd love your expert opinion and also love to hear what you think of my descriptions. Talk soon,
    Jenn

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  4. Hi there Jenn! I loved your article! and your cool jewelry is a great addition to your shop! and btw, your descriptions are perfect! looking forward to seeing still more of your jewelry! :D
    hugs!

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