Graffiti Walk in Woodstock during Covid 19

On one of my morning walks during lock down in the Western Cape I came across a feast of graffiti in Woodstock and Salt River. I have always been fascinated by graffiti on walls and for the most part saw it as unlawfulness and an irritation. I found that the earliest bubble and triangular graffiti wasn’t very exciting or attractive, and seemed to degrade an area.
These day I find myself taking quite a different view. The graffiti artists have come a long way and are producing some wonderful art which is transforming the dreariness of buildings and even homes. I love turning a corner in a street and finding to my surprise a wonderful piece of art inviting me into its world of imagination or telling me something of the history and struggles of the people. You will find that in Woodstock and Salt River. Graffiti art is the urban version of land art, another compelling love of mine.
I am reminded of the words of William Blake

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
From the Everlasting Gospel 1888
It was a wonderful morning’s walk during one of those depressing Covid 19 days when one had had enough of isolation and needed something to raise my spirit. Thank you to the artists of these painting.

Soul Food
This week’s poem is by Margie Weir-Cairns.
Margie writes: I recorded the reading in Cecilia Forest sitting on a rock overlooking False Bay with the sea beckoning. First attempt by memory! Margie worked as a spiritual companion at the Centre for Christian Spirituality for 12 years. She practices Centering Prayer and is actively involved with Contemplative Outreach.

A story by Dorian Haarhoff, poet, writer of childrens’ stories, and writing mentor.

Rumi Quote
The way of Love is not a subtle argument.
The door there is devastation’.
Birds make great sky-circles of their freedom.
How do they learn it?
They fall and falling,
they’re given wings.
A photograph by John Donald