In conversation with my good friend Bob—I thought of a drawing I did 12 years ago of Eva Zeisel. In 2000 we had visited her at her home in upstate New York. It was a very influential and inspiring experience. We discuss her work, experiences, and life in general. It was so much to take in. Shortly after I return home I sketched this drawing of her (from a snap shot I took) explaining principals behind her work. Bob was able to attend her funeral early this year, and recently shared a poem with me that was read at the funeral by, I believe, her children. Over the last few days the poem continues to become top of mind for me. Eva lived to be 105 (1906-2011), and produced brilliant work until her death—needless to say she was very wise, creatively brilliant, and had an uncanny perspective on life. Despite I only met Eva once, and it was 12 years ago, she continues to inspire my life. Thank you Eva.
Life
by Eva Zeisel (1950)
It’s Life you are living
and life is here.
It’s not sometime later,
it’s now, Jeannie dear.
It’s not a road
with beginning and end.
It leads not anywhere,
it’s the time you spend.
It’s life when the sun shines,
it’s life when it rains,
not where you are going,
but riding the trains.
Life is not a stamp collection
with glimpses of the past.
Life is in the present tense,
the memory while it lasts.
The cloud that hurries gently by,
the bunnies funny leaps,
if you hug them with your eye,
belong to you for keeps.
Don’t think that once will come a day
when all’l be rich and smart
and laughter will be here to stay,
and then real life will start.
Between the not yet gilded past
and the time for which we strive
lies, unnoticed and not to last,
the moment which is life.