Et le verbe s’est fait chair

In a previous post, I discussed at length my interests in the relationship of literature and the visual arts, and mentioned et le verbe s’est fait chair, a livre d’artiste done in collaboration with Francine Gravel. The publication, in 1975, marked the beginning of an ongoing friendship and collaboration. Francine is an accomplished painter, poet and print-maker widely collected in North America and Europe. At one point, in one of the many roles I played in this life, I owned an art gallery, and Francine was the very first artist to have a solo exhibition at Graphica (1976-1983). It was also Francine’s first solo show, so, needless to say, it was for both of us, of momentous importance.

As a livre d’artiste, et le verbe s’est fait chair was published in a limited edition of 25 copies and none of the work ever appeared anywhere else. Both Francine and I have agreed to share with you one of the original poems and a reproduction of the accompanying etching.

Phénix ma nuit gorgée de givre fouille la fulgurance de tes yeux attisant le feu l’été de vivre mais le tam-tam de la vie noue la solitude de nos deux corps banquise et mort dessus les cendres et puis l’envie et l’éclair joue en ma mémoire fondant le jour la nuit de glace faisant le vide sur la place pour te coucher sur mon grimoire

Phoenix My frost-filled night Searching your eyes flash Stirring the ash Summer of delight But the tom-tom of life’s fire Binds the solitude of our breath Ice fields and death Over embers then desire Lightning plays in my mind Dissolving in day the glacial night Discovering absence of light To lay with you the spells bind Translation: Brenda Jackson)