Kawonawo (The Survivors)

Amidst a tide in the water, many traps have been set to capture them. (The fish)

This is their home a place where they are meant to thrive.

They’re vulnerable in a no-escape situation.

They swim and dance with the tide.

They escape and survive captivity.

This artwork speaks about mental slavery.

The following poem by Julianne DiNenna was inspired by this artwork:

The Carp Gets Caught Before the Fire Is Lit 

The eagle snatches a carp

its talons stab its reddish brown

scaled filets.

Air breaks its gills.

Its gray glassy straw

eyes rotate

away from sun sparks.

Droplets swirl back

to the expanse of the lake.

Fish-hopefuls row further

from the scene

rivet their eyes up

dragging and dredging mud

in filaments smacking of smoke.

A girl screams

there is fire.

Earth worms churn in and out.

So this is what it means

to be caught in flight

to be caught in fire:

the lake unravels

hues ignite from sucked heights

trees turn their eyes

from the carnage

cast a warning scent

cry lake

we need the tears

the earth burns

the earth burns