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To those who see” by Gwen Frostic

I ask myself why have I not shared this small poetry book “To Those Who See” by Gwen Frostic with you, my readers? Simply put, it’s my most treasured book. And treasures are to be hidden, aren’t they?

the winds blow freshness to our lives

and stars seem

close enough to touch……

A brief 33 pages, Gwen Frostic’s words and striking crafted Mid-century block-prints, offer a potent potion for those who seek to restore themselves while in the midst of the grieving process. It is also one of the most perfect bereavement gifts, guaranteed to be fondled, loved and revisited for years to come.

For me, To Those Who See digs as deep as the cold, spring fed glacier cut ponds of the real Seven Ponds lakes (the inspiration for our website) in Michigan. It’s where I spent my childhood summers and Ms. Frostic, both author and artist, lived, created and was one with the woods, not too far north of the lakes.

Each page we turn takes us into another part of the woods.

……the cosmos continues

governed…

not by some mysterious plan –

but by the simple fact

that all things must be transmuted – –

– – – from life today

tomorrow’s life is rising – – – – –

keyed not to the survival of the fittest

for each thing – – –

in its time – – – must go – – – – –

– – but to the ceaseless revival

of the universe …….

The text is carefully placed on each page like words floating in the air.

How can I best describe my beloved book? The author uses more than her gift of words, she adds her gifted hands and love of nature to grab our hearts and emotionally move us, like the tall white pines swaying in the winds.  The text is carefully placed on each page like words floating in the air, with a cadence that emotes. Papers with different color, texture, transparency and weight are combined with sublime Mid-century Modern block-prints (copyright 1965) so that each page we turn takes us into another part of the woods. We feel the warm sun, experience the changing seasons and are drawn into the wonderous rhythms of the earth in conjunction with her nature-inspired poetry. She explores the meaning of life by using “the circularity” of nature. We become one with this book.

I highly suggest this book for those who have been through the grieving process and seek to restore themselves, make well again. It’s for those who are ready to start their new life and get out from under the heavy bereavement part of grieving. It’s to those who (want to) see (again). Like the wind, her prose will “blow freshness to our lives”.

To those who see

bare branches –

and know they hold the buds of spring

to those who see

stars falling in the heavens –

and know the constellations will remain forever

 

to those who see

long lines of geese

fade far beyond –

and know they come back again to nest

 

to those who see

with wonder in their hearts – –

and know – what glories there can be

 

for those who see……

The many pages of ragged edges reflect the torn holes in a life exquisitely bound in juxtaposition to the perfect edges of other pages.

Fortunately the late Gwen Frostic’s legend lives on. Her Michigan studio can be visited and this book, along with other 60’s books she designed, are still printed on her original presses and paper stock. The many pages of ragged edges that reflect the torn holes in the fabric of life are exquisitely bound in juxtaposition to the perfect edges of other pages. It is an analogy of how we expect life to be, yet we know never is. Her references to ”one with the earth” both soothes and comforts. It reminds us as we emerge from the grieving process, that it’s “time for the imagination to recreate itself”.

I love my copy of To Those Who See. How few books offer us the full spectrum of life; the tactile, visual and emotional – a holistic journey. Now that I have exposed to you my most coveted treasure ever, perhaps you will offer yours to me too.

If you enjoyed this post:

• Read about my childhood on the shores of the real Seven Ponds Lakes, the inspiration, mission and vision for this website.
• My favorite grief card written and designed by Dana Shields, who lost her brother in a plane crash.
• A past post about Gwen Frostic and her sympathy Cards.