Your Final Journey

The artwork featured in this piece is a print of a watercolor painting by British Columbia, Canada artist Donna Hanlon. Donna is an extended member of my family, through my brother, who was married to her grandmother, and I was happy to support her creativity.

I fell in love with her work when I first visited her home gallery in around 2010. I own several of her prints, including the piece featured in the cover picture of this story.

I’m not sure how much Donna is painting or dabbling in any other artistic ventures currently. I do know that she’s got two kids now to keep her busy, but I do also hope she’s finding time for her art as I am a true fan of her talent. She does have a Facebook page if you’d like to check out her work https://www.facebook.com/tinypurplepebble

I’d never claim to be an art aficionado, but there was something about Donna’s paintings that drew me in, this featured one in particular.

At first glance it looks as though the human hand has a hummingbird tethered to a chain, holding the bird back, preventing movement, stealing its freedom, and eventually, its life. As we humans seem to have a knack for living our lives to suit only ourselves, not caring about the very nature that sustains us, it made sense.

Except. The title of the painting, “Follow me,” may tell a different story. The title leads me to believe that the hummingbird is taking to the skies and encouraging the human to follow, dragging the human along, even. But follow where? Where is the hummingbird going? Are they trying to teach us the errors of our ways? Maybe by showing us their view of this beautiful rock we share with all creatures; they hope we’ll get a better understanding of our own part in nature - that we all have equal importance.

Or maybe it’s got nothing to do with nature. Maybe it’s just what it looks like on the surface; a hummingbird chained to a human finger. Or maybe it’s more surreal. I’m sure there are times in our lives when all of us felt trapped in one way or another. Maybe we are the hummingbird, the chain is our anxiety, and we just need to let go.

What the artist was specifically going for with this piece, I do not know for sure. As I’m confident she would tell you herself, it means whatever you want it to mean. Just like all art, it’s subjective. I’ve had this print for approximately ten years, I’ve admired it many, many times and even I hadn’t quite decided what I think it means to me.

Today that changed.

Those of you Vocal friends who are also Facebook friends of mine are aware that my brothers and I recently lost our mother. Some of you who subscribe to me on Vocal may also be aware of our loss from a poem I wrote just last week. Before I go further, I’d like to say thank you for your kind words of support.

Today, when I looked at the print of the hummingbird tethered to the hand, I got a whole different perspective of what that painting means to me. I did not see the hand holding back the bird. I did not see the bird trying to teach the human a lesson. I saw the bird leading, carrying, helping the holder along a journey and I finally figured out where they were going.

This short, simple poem is dedicated to my mother, Regina, and based on my interpretation of Donna Hanlon’s painting, “Follow Me.”

If I had hands to hold you,

I’d carry you along the way.

If I had arms to cradle you,

I’d hold you close today.

I know you fear the journey,

fear you travel alone.

But there’s no need to worry,

I’ve come to take you home.

*

Don’t fear that I can’t hold your weight.

Your spirit’s light and free.

I’m here to help you on your way,

You are no burden to me.

I know you see your loved ones,

and that it hurts your heart

To watch them mourn your earthly life,

and miss you when you part.

*

Don’t cry for those you’ve left behind,

I promise they’ll be okay.

They’ll travel with you, in your heart,

Till you meet again someday.

As they hold you in their hearts and minds,

they’ll know your soul is free,

and that you’ve taken your final journey,

So come and follow me.