Thursday, March 17, 2016

Columbia Gorge Book of River Memories

This origami box contains my final class project. The box cover is made from a photo in the Friends of the Colombia Gorge newsletter.


Inside is the 2¼ x 2¼ inch book of River Memories.

The front cover is lettered in Uncial on painted tyvek.

The diamond fold meander book structure fit the theme.

The book is hand lettered in walnut ink in Bookhand and Uncial on Arches watercolor paper.

I wrote the poem in a Paulann Peterson writing class last summer. It represents a lifetime of many memories of trips up the Gorge.

River Memories
River memories run deep in my heart
West to East- a shift in color
lush to dry, fir to pine- Wind.
Dog Mountain to Memaloose- balsamroot, lupine, paintbrush
a chocolate lily, shooting stars, a whiff of lilac
wildflower Heaven every Spring.
Cascade vistas reward hikers on steep trails
babbling brooks, forest ferns- Water.
She Who Watches remembers sacred ritual
sees river traffic, hears trains- Voices.
Basalt cliffs, Bridge of Gods, high plateaus
form Gorge walls where the river flows.
With each season visit, we return home singing
Woodie Guthrie lyrics- roll on, Columbia.

3 comments:

Suzanne Reynolds said...

This is beautiful, Paula. Love the structure, origami box, and the words! I think you captured the essence of the Gorge.

CarolCot said...

Very nice Paula! Beautiful poem, book and box. I think your book structure is perfect for your poem. What a wonderful project!

CarolCot said...

Very nice Paula! Beautiful poem, book and box. I think your book structure is perfect for your poem. What a wonderful project!