Bursting Forth

ARTIST
Melissa Redden

SENIOR OR ELDER
Mary Ann Carruthers

ARTFORM
Combination Visual Arts and Poetry

ABOUT THE ARTWORK
Watercolour painting inspired by the life of Mary Anne Carruthers. Bursting Forth seeks to capture Mary Anne’s adventurous, vibrant spirit as a much loved friend and community member in Fort McMurray, Alberta. – Melissa Redden

Bursting forth,
not holding onto plans,
but taking a leap,
crossing the ocean.

“There’s a fresh one off the boat!”

Looking
for wide open spaces.
“We’ll take the first bus from Toronto, wherever it’s going!”
To small towns
where everyone knows each other.

Who knew
all those people wore rubber boots.
Have you seen the mud?

“Can you start right now?”
An immediate connection,
then time
and growth
through the hard times.

It sure wasn’t easy.
A listening ear for others
And so stubborn,
learning to accept help.

Release
Friends leave,
Loved ones soar,
and the adventure continues on.