The latest edition to our Guardian: Cemeteries and Their Sentinels project is entitled Memory of Wings. I could really use your feedback on this one. Feel free to leave a comment here, or go to the Guardian Group page. I've started a discussion there about this piece in particular. This is the first writing I've done for the book.

Memory of Wings is inspired by a stone girl I met in an overgrown cemetery in the Czech Republic...

Memory of Wings

I came upon her
late in the day
at the edge of the path,
alone. 
The Armless Maiden
The Wingless Angel
whatever one would call her
there she was
stranded.
Kneeling at the graveside
eyes turned toward heaven
beseeching
or accusing
no way to tell.
Hands and arms
crumbled to dust
and I am reminded
of the fairy-tale girl
betrayed by her father
given away like chattel.
The daughter
sacrifices her hands,
surrenders them to bloody stumps,
rather than be bought
and traded
like so much
lumber.
But this one--
this forgotten girl
at the edge of the path
has lost more than hands.
Rising from her back
rusty bones that once held
wings.
The twisted iron
hovers behind her
as if it remembers
flight.
The crumbling remnants
reach toward heaven
beseeching
or accusing
no way to tell.
And I am reminded
of another fairy-tale girl
not so long ago
now, even
somewhere
going about her days
wingless
grounded by thoughts
of Too Much
and Not Enough
freedom traded
for normalcy
for Fitting In
for Right and Proper
because it's
expected.
All of us
everywhere
driving in traffic
waiting in line
laying in bed
or standing at the
edge of the path
alone in the wood
considering her self in stone.
This woman
that woman
haunted every night
by the aching in
her back
and the one
in her soul
the ache
that contains
the memory of wings.
********************************
Photo and words ©Angi Sullins. Thank you for not reprinting without permission

You've asked for it, we've done it!  We now have a "Guardian" gallery! In addition to our 2010 Guardian calendar, we've added twelve more images (these to be seen on next years 2011 calendar) and soon prints will follow. So many of you have asked for a book of this film and while we'd love to produce it, the publishers we've talked to are very conservative with their bucks right now (and who could blame them?). We're still hoping that your enthusiastic support will lead to a book deal, so if you love this project as much as we do, drop a line of encouragement and support on our...

brand...

new...

Guardian Facebook page! Oh yes, here is where you can show your love and pass the word along to friends, romans and countrymen. Not on facebook? No problem! We've also created a section on our forum where you can leave your comments and show your support. This kind of show-and-tell enthusiasm could lead to a published book, so don't hold back! Tell your friends! It's such a beautiful, romantic product. In my humble opinion, the world needs more beauty like this, honoring the place of transition and the gorgeous, triumphant human spirit!

Our Guardian gallery is located here, and you can order your 2010 Guardian calendar here. While supplies last!