Longevity - Art & Time Project

by Isa LeWinter and Oswald LeWinter

My Hands
My hands, cupped, can't hold air,
not even tiny doses. They have been fists,
when young, that sometimes struck strange faces.
They've also loved, caressed breasts, fondled
children, wiped away indignities of bruises
and picked up newborn sons to hold up
to the sun. They've had a full life, rich
with friends like the ten fingers that reached
out to the world. They've held a violin,
a gun, a hunting knife, the steering of a mountain
bike, the wheel of new car, proudly.

They've palmed pistachios, holding the exotic
odors to my nose, and held dollar notes
in their grip, while letting coins slip
through their crevices. Choices of ties
and colored shirts might have remained closeted
thoughts without them but they never asked
for more than to belong to wrists with wrinkled skin.
No sense of their cardinal importance,
they demonstrated great humility and clasped
whatever hands reached out to them in peace.

They have no voice, yet they are capable
of fashioning the most eloquent gestures, and casting
shadow images of small bird's heads on empty walls.
I will be proud of the fine lines that crease their palms
until the day they rest, one on the other, on my chest.

Poetry: "My Hands" by Oswald LeWinter (Rilke Prize winner, 1997).
© 2003 - all rights reserved.

Art: "Longevity" by Isa LeWinter.
© 2011 - all rights reserved.

Vote for your favorite Art & Poetry Collaboration!

"Longevity/My Hands" is one of the Art and Poetry collaborations being considered for the very first publication of "Art and Time" - a unique and innovative Coffee Table Book filled with beautiful images and inspiring words of art.

If you would like to see "Longevity/My Hands" published, just click LIKE to place your vote!

The inside scoop!

Back in 2011, The Artist In You challenged folks to post their Art and engaged Poets from around the world to 'mash up' their words of art to translate how each work made them feel! Synergy of thought and creative process engaged hundreds of thousands to view, like and participate. 'The Ultimate Collection' (working title) Art and Poetry book series mission was born! Have you seen the video yet?

For those who love poetry! For those who love art! For those who still love the feel of a big coffee table sized book, to visit, peruse, enjoy each day...we are so excited to present our first intended publication "Art and Time"! Renowned and Burgeoning artists have created an opportunity, a visual keepsake presentation, that erases all imaginary lines, engages, explores, and substantiates our mission statement: Inspiring Change With Every Brush Stroke!

How you can help

Through Kickstarter, our goal is to receive pledges for at least $5,000 by Sunday May 20th 2012. When this goal is reached, we will be able to begin producing the first in the series of "Art and Time" books - unique collaborations between artists and poets.

The proceeds from the sale of these innovative Coffee Table Books will be donated to support after school Art Programs for kids of all ages!

We hope you will share our commitment and enthusiasm by making a pledge to support this project via Kickstarter! Donate a dollar, or few if you can, and if you can pledge more support you can choose from a menu of great gifts and rewards - simply
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Thanks so much for your support!
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If you would like to participate and submit your art and poetry, let us know by completing this simple form!