There is a sacred limit to any closeness,
Even the passionate fact can't transcend,
Though in fearful silence lips on lips may press
And the heart love tears to pieces won't mend.
And friendship is powerless and years
Of intense high minded happiness,
Where the soul is free, a stranger to fears
Of the slow langours of passionate excess,
Those who strive to reach it
Play the part
Of madness,those who succeed are stricken
And
Now you understand why my heart
Is not beating beneath your hand.
painted by Amy Cohen Banker, told to Meredith Elaine Banker, written by Anna Akhmatova
This poem has had meaning for me since I first read it 20 years ago.
In 2001 I had trauma and tragedy and painted it out and now in 2010 it still resonates.
I do not know how to organize the site well enough but I will try.
Thank you for your help.
I do have the very large painting online from 2001 and then again framed in 2003
on amycohenbanker.com
It has been a focal point of some shows but I never sold it but just improved it and used it for
inspiration.
My "love" who inspired it, actually was at Burning Man when I painted it!
I think that it is about unrequited and platonic love. Sexual unfulfilled but deep friendships.
Comments
This is the poem:
There is a sacred limit to any closeness,
Even the passionate fact can't transcend,
Though in fearful silence lips on lips may press
And the heart love tears to pieces won't mend.
And friendship is powerless and years
Of intense high minded happiness,
Where the soul is free, a stranger to fears
Of the slow langours of passionate excess,
Those who strive to reach it
Play the part
Of madness,those who succeed are stricken
And
Now you understand why my heart
Is not beating beneath your hand.
painted by Amy Cohen Banker, told to Meredith Elaine Banker, written by Anna Akhmatova
This poem has had meaning for me since I first read it 20 years ago.
In 2001 I had trauma and tragedy and painted it out and now in 2010 it still resonates.
I do not know how to organize the site well enough but I will try.
Thank you for your help.
I do have the very large painting online from 2001 and then again framed in 2003
on amycohenbanker.com
It has been a focal point of some shows but I never sold it but just improved it and used it for
inspiration.
My "love" who inspired it, actually was at Burning Man when I painted it!
I think that it is about unrequited and platonic love. Sexual unfulfilled but deep friendships.