Datura

Photo: Elaine Webster

Sketch Rendering: Blake Webster
www.mediadesignservices.com

Datura

Beautiful poison
Inspired by  love and death
Irresistible.

Illustrations add pizazz to poetry collections, cookbooks and children’s books. Many writers don’t include original artwork because of the expense involved. Today’s technology, however, can create sketches from photographs.

I took the original photo of a Datura flower at Fort Ross in

Sonoma County. Mercedes Call, the beautiful Chilean wife of

George W. Call, who purchased the Fort in 1873, was an avid gardener; the legacy of her efforts can still be admired in the garden she tended until her death in 1933. I was surprised to find this powerful plant among her collection. The substantial aged vine drew me in with its magic. The poisonous plant also has hallucinogenic properties. I wonder if Mercedes planted Datura only for its beauty or did she have other planned usages?

The sketch rendered by Blake Webster, captures the intensity even more. Blake’s experimentation with various enhancements has produced special effects that previously required an artist’s hand and he has added photographic rendering to his list of services. For more information contact Blake at blake@mediadesign-mds.com

Datura

Pan

Pan

I had lunch today with Pan.

–A birthday party;

he comes each year,

to eat oats and honey.

–Life’s nectar,

and to tell me that all is okay, all right, blessed.

Though reassuring, I don’t believe his devilish lies.

“It could be better,” I say.

He takes a sip of orange tea.

–Nibbles a tidbit of raisin bread toast with strawberry jam.

“There are special ones who feel deeply, but lose joy,” he says.

‘They are the most vulnerable,” I add thoughtfully as I take a scolding tone,

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

“Is there any other way?” he asks.

The sun is at sky’s peak and we laugh.

 

photo courtesy of Blake Webster

www.mediadesignservices.com

Pan