Mail Art Martha: Spirits of the woods

[Dean aka Artist in Seine]

I was very delight to receive this print (called;Spirits of the woods) and homemade book from Martha.

And if you are wondering, yes that is real gold leaf.  Now I'll have to buy a safe to put it in.

I received the French version as that is where the story originates.  Collioure, France is a place that Martha likes to go for her holidays. (and get away from the rain of London)

It's a very inspiring Mail Art piece, full of love and labour.  I hate to think of the hours it took to put together.

Lovely, Thank you Martha.  The last line just took my breath away.

[Mail Art Martha]

Thank you, thank you! I coulnd't believe it myself that not only I came up with a little poem but I could translate it to French as well. Mind you, it is years and years that I go to Collioure and think I should do something about poor Machado. It struck me hard that he died only weeks after getting away. So I suppose it was brewing there in the black hole of my brain.

This is my original version:

For standing in defiance of a cruel tyranny,

he was forced to seek freedom over the mountains

only to find the peace of a tomb by the sea.

And there he remains,

   not under the dark shadow of a cross

                                        but under the dappled shade of a tree.

At the moment there is an exhibition in Collioure about Machado and I heard that Spain wants to repatriate  his remains but the French have said: Non!

And yes it is a watercolour not a print, Dean, thanks Katerina.

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

Very lovely watercolor from Martha.

And the poetic boekie is amazing, yes?

Perhaps beautifully poetic in French, lucky you :-)