You know that feeling of recognition when someone really "gets" you? When it seems as though they can peer into your soul and understand something deep and unfathomable about you? Something that even those closest to you may overlook?
Well that's Christina, friend and photographer extraordinaire. Even though we have never met in person, she really gets me. That was reaffirmed today when I opened my mailbox to find her package. Unwrapping the brightly-coloured tissue I was so excited to find a copy of Nikki Giovanni's new book Bicycles: Love Poems. I was even more thrilled - and moved to tears - when I opened the book to find that Ms. Giovanni had signed it for me!
You see, recently Christina took an amazing photograph of Ms. Giovanni. When I commented on the wonderful image Christina had captured with her lens, I mentioned something about being a longtime admirer of Nikki Giovanni's poetry and what a joy it must have been not only to spend time with her, but to photograph her.
A few days later, the book arrived! What a wonderful surprise! Thank you, dear Christina!
And it just so happens that I have an identical red Electra Hawaii bicycle to the one Nikki Giovanni's posing with on the book cover. Mine - which I got in Cambridge, England and brought back to Paris - is languishing, neglected, under a tarpulin on the balcony. Now I love riding bikes - love it! Riding a bike makes me feel happy and care-free. Yet for various reasons - and not just the cold weather - I haven't ridden mine for ages. I think it's high time that bicycle comes out for air.
In the book, Ms. Giovanni writes: "Bicycles: Because love requires trust and balance."
Here is her poem No Heaven:
How can there be
No Heaven
When rall falls
gently on the grass
When sunshine scampers
across my toes
When corn bakes
into bread
When wheat melts
into cake
When shadows
cool
And owls
call
And little finches
eat upside
down
How can there be
No Heaven
When tears comfort
When dreams caress
When you smile
at me
You sound like David. Whenever I talk about poetry, he starts in on the limericks. :)
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 13 February 2009 at 11:17
I could write a poem about me on a bike though it would be more of a limerick :)
Posted by: Di Overton | 13 February 2009 at 10:22
Me too, Becca! Am waiting for the weather to improve to take my bike for a tune-up, then start riding regularly again. I miss it when I'm not riding.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 11 February 2009 at 15:30
Wonderful poem - I must get this book.
I love the feeling of freedom on a bike! I was out riding just the other day, and it was so liberating!
Posted by: Becca | 11 February 2009 at 03:36
I will check out the link. Although I don't really worry about style when riding a bike. My Dutch friends in Holland have at least three bikes each: one for long trips; one for going to the grocery store, that they don't care if it gets stolen and one for weekend journeys.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 10 February 2009 at 20:59
Amy, sorry about the issues. I knew it was you, anyway! :) xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 10 February 2009 at 20:57
Gill, yes, you're right about Christina. And bikes? Love them. Maybe someday we can go riding bikes in Paris. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 10 February 2009 at 20:57
Amy, you're so lucky! Hope you and Christina have a wonderful time together.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 10 February 2009 at 20:56
Raquel, you're right about Christina - she's very special. And Nikki Giovanni is such an amazing talent.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 10 February 2009 at 20:55
My Dutch half of course loves this story. Your bicycle is very beautiful. I have some wardrobe suggestions for you:
http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/search/label/Bicycles
...but I know you will look stylish no matter what.
Posted by: dutchbaby | 10 February 2009 at 16:45
Thank you, Helen! Yes, pure joy! The friendships made among this blogging community are good for the soul.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 09 February 2009 at 20:54
Simon, you're lucky to have such a good selection of bikes. Haven't tried the French brand "Singer," although I have a vintage sign from a shop that repaired those bikes. :)
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 09 February 2009 at 20:53
Yes! And you're one of the people I'm hoping to see in Paris - or Portland! xo
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 09 February 2009 at 20:52
I do not like this typepad key sign in...my info is old and I can't edit it:( so know that these two amy m posts are Me tara:)
http://amymad.squarespace.com/
Posted by: Amy M | 09 February 2009 at 19:52
Christina is quite the talented photographer, and such a kind wonderful lady.
I really enjoy her blog! I love that she thought of you and sent you the wonderful gift. It isn't wasted on you; poetry is in your soul T.
I should get a bike; haven't ridden one in ages. I like bike riding as well, and what great exercise it is.
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 09 February 2009 at 19:37
Ride it sister! I'm so happy to have met Christina's place through you ! what a neat surprise to hit your mailbox....Once our weather turns warmer I'm going to travel the mere 20 mins north and meet that girl!
Posted by: Amy M | 09 February 2009 at 16:54
What a wonderful gift! I found Christina's blog through yours and love to visit her too. She is full of depth and soul. Beautiful poem.
Posted by: RD | 09 February 2009 at 14:15
Perfect gift, perfect poem, perfect post!
I remember when you posted the link to the extraordinary photo and I went there to look at it. (Big fan of Giovanni here.) Truly, I am so happy and excited for you. What a generous and thoughtful gift and friend. Though most bloggers may never meet in person, we add a special dimension to our lives when we blog and share. It is so wonderful when things like this happen!
Serendipity-- and synchronicity-- with the bike/book/poem from a blogger friend...bliss!
Posted by: Helen | 09 February 2009 at 14:00
I have to confess I am a bike lover too. Especially the Cannondale product. I have a Prophet mountain bike and a Synapse road bike, But I also love the french brand "Singer"
:o)
Posted by: simon | 09 February 2009 at 04:11
Don't you just love Bloglandia ! This is yet another lovely moment in the world wide web of friends that have become so meaningful to us. It amazes me that people I have never even met are my best friends because of blogging.
Posted by: pam aries | 09 February 2009 at 02:36
TB, I intend to do exactly that (well, maybe without the baguette)!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 08 February 2009 at 23:18
I could say the same about you, dearest Maddie. I think you'll like the book. And let's try to have that chat this week! xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 08 February 2009 at 23:17
Thank you, my dear friend! I always believe when a door is closed, a window opens. And as soon as the weather improves, I'm taking the bike for a tune-up and a spin. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 08 February 2009 at 23:16
What a lovely surprise! I hope you'll put a little basket on that red bike of yours, put a baguette and some flowers and your book in it, and take it for a ride. (When it gets warmer, of course.)
Posted by: tangobaby | 08 February 2009 at 21:36
'and little finches eat upside down...'
ohhhhhhhhhh i love that line....
such a beautiful way you have dearest tara of
attracting soulful kindred's about you:)
it's that beautiful heart of yours and oh!
i must order that book
Posted by: maddie | 08 February 2009 at 19:28
Happy tears! This (ironically) is my favorite poem in her book. Ms. Giovanni caught on to that, real quick. : )
My grandmother used to say- God never closes a door,without opening a window. I remember the day you became that window.
Get the polish out for that bike of yours, my friend.
one love-
Posted by: Christina | 08 February 2009 at 18:11