The Embrace
Yesterday I hugged a mother and child
The arms unyielding
The bodies cold and unrelenting
Yet such warmth in expression
A soulful tenderness in their closeness
A unique embrace, where the usual
Do not touch
Replaced with
Please hug me
Art is for all
Art is not remote
To be viewed at a distance
Art is life
Art is all our lives.
@Annika Perry, October 2024
My poem above was inspired by The Mother and Child sculpture by Henry Moore (1932) which is one of many wonderful, striking and thought-provoking pieces of art at the innovative and eclectic art museum of the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich, East Anglia. Originally a private collection by the Lord and Lady Sainsbury it was later donated to the University of East Anglia in the specially built museum. The collection is part of a desire to allow visitors to emotionally connect with the pieces (I did!) and enhance the belief in the ‘living life-force of art’.
Personal Note
Many thanks to everyone for your lovely comments on my last post and I was looking forward to returning here in September, Alas this became impossible. Tragically there was family bereavement as well as a devastating cancer diagnosis of a close family member. Along with the practical busyness of such news, emotionally I had to hunker down and slowly find my equilibrium. For now, my posts may be rather more erratic, my comments not as timely a I would wish. My heartfelt thoughts are with so many of you going through difficult times.
Annika Perry 
Loving this photo and poem! Such beautiful writing.
Sending love your way and thinking of you during this difficult time.❤️
Layla, it’s wonderful you liked the poem and photo – hugging the statue proved a healing and inspiring moment! Thank you so much for your care and concern; your thoughts mean a lot to me. Xx ❤️
Hi Annika, it’s great to see you and your photo and poem are so lovely, but I am very sorry to hear what your family is facing. Please take care of yourself and know that you have a whole world of support right here. Sending you hugs and love and an abundance of light. xoxo
Lauren, I feel blessed with the incredible support, understanding and warm wishes from everyone here, including yourself. Aww ..the abundance of light is much needed and I can already see glints of it. 😀❤️ It was hard to write even this little personal note yet felt wrong not to say anything to my friends here – the response has been overwhelming and all your love lifting me up. Thank you so much for your caring words and concern, my dear friend. Also, lovely that you enjoyed my poem and photo – at the moment there can’t be too many hugs! Xx
I’m very sorry that you’re going through such a difficult time Annika. It’s good that you can take some time to reflect and to connect. Sending you best wishes and hoping that things improve.
Andrea, it has definitely been a time of intense reflection and after the initial turmoil of emotions a matter of reconnecting with oneself and others. Thank you so much for your warm words, empathy and wishes. Xx
Such a beautiful picture of you with your heartfelt poem, Annika. My heart goes out to you as I know the trials and tribulations of such times as these. Sending you a big hug and lots of love as you are taking care of your family member. Take your time and I will send you lots of love and healing🤗💓❣️💓🤗🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Dear Cindy, your wonderful and caring words bring me comfort and solace, thank you so much. Your empathetic soul more than understands my pain and I am sorry that you have experienced this too – one endures and a it is matter of finding that light again – with the help of such friends as yourself it is possible!
It’s lovely you enjoyed the poem and picture- of course I wanted just the right one so had to give quite a few hugs! 😀😀 hugs xx💕
Oh, Annika, I’m so sorry to hear about the bereavement and the family member’s cancer diagnosis. Those are challenging times emotionally and to deal with big issues like that. Please take your time and take care of yourself. I wish I could give you a hug!!
Your poem is beautiful and I admire the museum’s approach to enhance the “living life-force of art.”
Awww, Esther, bless you for your wonderful kind thoughts and sentiments! The virtual hugs here are working wonders, yours included – thank you so much. Yes, I finally realised I had to listen to my inner self and step back for a bit as it was (and to a certain degree still is) emotionally challenging. Lovely to post here now though and it’s great you enjoyed the poem. Absolutely, the museum’s ethos is fabulous with a unique and fantastic visit.
That’s a lovely poem and it goes perfectly with the sculpture. I’m so sorry for what you are dealing with, and please take all the time you need to cope. Blogging is fun, but sometimes we just need to step back from it and deal with the very real issues in our lives. Take all the time you need, and know we’ll be here when you get back. Praying for you and yours!
Ann, bless you for your warmth, care and understanding – sometimes one just has to step away. At first I tried to write something here but my mind and soul were in turmoil and just not right then. Thank you so much for your kind words about my poem and the sculpture hug moment was definitely inspirational. Thank you also for your prayers, they mean a lot to me. xx
Your photograph and the lines ‘Yesterday, I hugged a mother and child’ are beautiful. How surprising that they allow you to hug the sculpture. It’s metaphorical too… In today’s world, where we are becoming more distant while remaining constantly ‘connected’. Lovely post, Annika.
Smitha, I love how you see an additional perspective in my post and the interaction with this art piece – maybe it is more important than ever that we can come close to art, experience directly the emotions they elicit in our ‘remote’ living and working world! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and it’s wonderful you found my post beautiful. xx
I was wondering how you were and sounds like difficult times. Not easy to blog and find the time too but we are all thinking of you. The poem and the sculpture are beautiful. So sending abrazos/ hugs from Spain.
Georgina, bless you for wondering where I’d disappeared to! I’ve been feeling quite remiss with my absence here but fortunate it is such an understanding and caring community. I had planned to write upon my return from Sweden but in spite of some attempts just couldn’t find the words – I was numb. Thank you for your lovely words and also for the likes & comment on Goodreads. Your abrazos are heartwarming – thank you. xx ps. hope you and yours are safe from the horrific floods in Spain.
Thanks, Annika, a strange year here for rain. Could be back to normal but not. Yes, too much in short time in Valencia. And today here advice is stay inside!
Stay safe! xx
It’s so great to see you here, Annika. I’m sorry your family is going through a rough time. It looks like hugging the famous statue was good for you. I enjoyed your poem. Sending love and hugs. xo
Thank you so much, Darlene and it is special to be back here after everything – the love and hugs from you and so many here is giving me much such comfort and support. Oh yes, that hug was definitely a healing one – a unique moment! hugs xx ❤️
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So sorry for what you and your family is facing, Annika. My thoughts and hugs are with you. Peggy loves it when it is allowed, even encouraged to touch sculptures. It adds another whole dimension to the art.
Curt, thank you so much for your warm and kind words and thoughtful wishes – they mean so much.
Peggy is right, being allowed to interact with the art gives a unique new perspective and added dimension to the piece – it was a fun and interesting museum visit.
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Sending hugs and love, dear Annika. Take care! ❤
Dear Khaya, your words means so much to me and I am trying to take care. hugs back, my friend xx ❤️
Annika, your poem is moving, and I’m so sorry for your sorrow. Hugging the statue must have been very healing. You’re so right about art!
Jennie, you could tell straight away, couldn’t you – it was healing to hug the statue and I bet some visitors were giving me looks as I went back for one – or three – more! The whole museum was inspiring and there was a group of younger school children there and they were hooked by the visit, soaking it all up! Fuel for their creative imaginations! 😀
Yes, I could tell straight away! It was THE best hug, and meant to be. Art museums are so inspiring. You often don’t know what will strike you, change you, inspire you when you visit. But when it happens…. wow! You must have smiled at the group of young school children, seeing that they were hooked. Yes, art is fuel for creative imaginations.
Annika, I have an art post coming soon. It’s nothing I’ve experienced before, truly a wonderful happening. 😀
Oh, Jennie, I look forward to reading that post; yours are always special so this sounds like something extraordinary.❤️
Very extraordinary! I have one post ahead of that, bur next week! Thank you, Annika!
Dear Annika
We regularly visit the Sainsbury Centre. There are always interesting exhibitions and not only that we also like the building by Norman Foster. There is a book about it full of info:
Rybczynski, Witold: The Biography of a Building (Thames & Hudson, 2011)
All the best
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Klausbernd, if we lived closer we would also visit often. The exhibition downstairs was fascinating although I didn’t dare view any of the videos after the warnings. The policy of letting visitors pay what they can afford is an inspired idea. I read that it was Norman Foster building and very impressive indeed.
Love, love, love this.
Awww … thank you so much, Bernadette! ❤️
I offer a virtual embrace
Derrick, that is so sweet and much needed – thank you.
Aww I’m so sorry to hear of the sad news within your family Annika. We never truly know from one to the next what life will bring, which is a perfect reason to embrace each other as often as we can. Your poem is beautiful and the sculpture a perfect symbol of the hugs we all sometimes need in our lives. Sending love and a big hug to you too. Take care ❤️🙏 xx
Miriam, your warmth, wisdom and gift for words are interwoven in your wonderful and heartwarming comment – thank you so much. The symbolism of the hug was not lost on me and the healing power of hugs on all levels, from giving one to an inanimate objects as above, to the virtual ones I am so lovingly bombarded with in my post, including yours, my dear friend, is profound. love & hugs xx 💕
Art is purely a healing source.
Sorry for the family’s loss and the diagnosis! Sending comfort to your family.
Sanjo, many thanks for your reflective comment and hugging this mother and child statue definitely proved a little healing for myself. Your kind thoughts are much appreciated.
“Do not touch replaced with please hug me,”—brilliant idea!
So sorry to learn of your family situation.
Peter, think if more museums adopted this – although probably mayhem if for every piece but just for one, as in this case, it would still make a huge difference to the appreciation and enjoyment of everything arty. Truly inspired and throughout the museum I saw so many interacting with the art – and in one becoming an exhibit themselves! Yes, it has been and is a tough time but having each other and the support from so many, including here, does help to make it more bearable.
“the usual Do not touch Replaced with Please hug me” that is beautiful. Your poem is beautiful and the two photos. An uplifting post. I am so sorry about the family bereavement and the cancer diagnosis in the family. I wish your family member strength and a good recovery.
Thomas, that welcoming approach to physically embrace the statue can’t fail to lift one’s spirit, raise a smile and of course, I was there in a flash, hugs ready! I am glad you find the post uplifting, I so wanted it to be while yet adding the personal note. Not an easy decision but I know so many friends here, including yourself, would wonder what had happened to me and sharing has been soothing. Thank you so much for your warm wishes, Thomas.
Very sweet poem. I’m sorry to hear of your family’s struggles. Kind of you to post such a peaceful, tranquil image to leave us with. 🙂
Betsy, thank you for your kind words and it is lovely you noticed the final image. I was blessed with many such tranquil moments during my holiday in Sweden and usually I share them here afterwards but haven’t had a chance this year. That morning was pure magic and as if my heart couldn’t be any more full with bliss. hugs xx
Oh, man. Those magic, bliss-filled moments are so powerful. I had one once while on a hike with my family. They were all ahead of me, and I was momentarily isolated from them behind a boulder next to the trail when this delightful warm, refreshing wind swept around me like a hug. It was so sweet and peaceful, a momentary breather from the chaos. 😛
Beautiful and evocative are your words Annika. This was a bittersweet post. I’m sending you light in your journey. And what a beautiful thing to be able to publicly share a hug. So many need that. Sending some your way too. Hugs ❤ xx
Debby, I am all up for hugs at the moment and thank you for yours, albeit from afar! It is lovely that you enjoyed my poem and one I wrote at the hotel. (The hotel is the oldest hotel in the UK and been a hospitality since 1090s!)
It was difficult writing the personal note but yet felt wrong not to let my friends here know why I disappeared and what is going on – the warmth and kindness flooding back here such as your and others comments mean the world to me. love & hugs xx 💕
I’m happy if I made you feel a tad better. 🙂 I noticed your absence and remembered you were gone for most of the summer. Take your time, and be where you need to be. We’re always here when your return. ❤ xx
Sending light and love, Annika. Your poem is beautiful.
Jan, the light and love so welcomed and heartwarming – thank you. xx ❤️
“Art is for all
Art is not remote”
I had goosebumps reading your poem, Annika. Your words resonated, reminding me that art is accessible to everyone. Art has the power to speak to our hearts,
offering comfort and connection, hope and resilience. I find that art captures our memories and emotions. When I viewed your photo, I felt a shared experience with you that transcends barriers of time and space.
My thoughts are with you on the journey ahead. Sending hugs across the ocean.
Wow! Rebecca, your in-depth and insightful comment touches my soul – I’m nodding throughout, smiling, thinking just so! When writing a piece one hopes it will move others, resonate with them and your words here show this to be the case in abundance. Now I have goosebumps reading that ‘When I viewed your photo, I felt a shared experience with you that transcends barriers of time and space.’ Here is to the wonder and power of art, in a world where technology is becoming the new god, may the importance of art not be side-lined, forgotten. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and for the hugs … they mean so much. hugs back xx ❤️
Hi, Annika – That is such a beautiful poem. I was fortunate to have been able to visit the Henry Moore Museum and Gardens when I was last in the UK. It was an incredible experience.
Sending my heartfelt warm wishes to you and your family. Thinking of you. ❤
Donna, first I am excited that you’ve been to the Henry Moore Museum and Gardens. I am sure that must be Perry Green Much Hadham Hertfordshire, in which case you weren’t far from me at all. Over the years we’ve visited there many times and simply love the place. Aren’t his miniature models of the bigger statues amazing?! Ever since I started my blog I meant to share about this special place and your comment reminds me to do this soon.
I’m a so glad you liked my poem and many thanks for your warm wishes and thoughts – they mean a great deal to me. xx ❤️
Take the time you need, Annika. Things will get better – at least, we get better at dealing with tough times. Most of your blog followers will have known hardships like yours and have worked through them. It’s just hard to be the one who is dealing with them. But you’ll manage, find strength you didn’t know you had. Thinking of you.
Anneli, your words bring solace and suppor. I had to smile at ‘we get better at dealing with tough times’ – isn’t that the truth! I’ve known loss and hardship before but this is too close to home but yes, I will manage – we all have too, alas. The warmth and friendship here is touches my heart, your thoughts mean so much. Thank you. xx
Annika, my heart goes out to you. You are such a kind lady, I wish I lived nearby to bring you your favorite tea, sip together and give you a shoulder. I will say a prayer for you. Hugs, harmony, and healing coming your way. 👉
Dear Lori, I can feel that hug and I’d tell you my favourite tea is chamomile with chocolate biscuits! Your words here are a virtual shoulder and already bringing me some peace – thank you. Thank you also for your kindness, prayers and thoughts. Sending hugs right back xx ❤️
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This is really good!
Thank you, Kirsten! 🙏
Lovely poem. And I hope your close relattve’s health situation is treated successfully.
Thank you so much, Neil and I praying for that.
This is a beautiful poem. It’s lovely to see you on here – I know things have been hard. But you’re loved by us all, as you can tell from all these wonderful comments.
Esther, it’s wonderful that you enjoyed the poem and your thoughts on it are very much appreciated.
I know, I am almost overwhelmed with the love and care in all the messages – a veritable blessing to have such friends as yourself and everyone here. It is a real source of comfort to me. xx ❤️❤️
Beautiful poem and picture, Annika. Sorry to hear you are dealing with so much. Sending healing hugs xo
Bless you for the healing hugs, Denise. 🙏 It has / is tough but finding a new balance and lovely to return with this post – so glad you enjoyed the poem and photo! I told my husband that the photos weren’t good enough, although they were, I just wanted to give the mother and child some more hugs! 😀
I’m sorry that it’s been a difficult fall, Annika, and I appreciate your poem and that lovely photo. I agree that physical contact with sculpture makes sense.
Audrey, it felt very special to touch such a special piece in a museum and ensured I appreciated it on a deeper level. Maybe that is even what Henry Moore would have wished. I am so used to be extra cautious in museums so I double-checked with the staff that it was okay! 😀 The outing was such an uplifting and restorative time.
I’m sorry you are in a rough patch. I’m praying for you and those you love. God bless you!
Anne, that means so much, bless you! 🙏
I agree that art is for everyone, Annika. Art is a vital expression of life, and at its best, it moves us. The image of you giving a hug to the huggers is lovely. And so sorry to hear about the difficulties and loss your family has been facing. Taking care of yourselves and each other is the epitome of kindness. I’m glad your honored your feelings and did as you needed to do. ❤ ❤ ❤
Some museums have a great ability to make the experience remote and therefore the work of art fails to move us as one (and the artist, no doubt) would wish. The Sainsbury Centre is the absolute opposite of this – enveloping our senses with art, to this close level contact to to lying in a comfy chair to view a piece hanging above! Diana, your empathy and understanding touches me deeply; I never thought about ‘honouring my feelings’ but yes, what a beautiful phrase and one I will keep in mind. hugs xx 💕
❤ Hugs, backatcha. Take care.
My heart and prayers go out to you in your current personal struggles. I’m sure that ‘hug’ helped a lot.
Jacqui, that means so much to me and warms my heart – thank you. Oh yes, giving that hug helped a lot, I kept going back for one more!
It’s nice to see you smiling and hugging the sculpture Annika. What a great art idea. May your family find peace and healing.
Aww … thank you so much, Brad! it felt good to smile and I think I needed to give that hug! 😀 It’s a fantastic museum, not overwhelming and this ensures it really stays in one’s mind and heart. Your kind caring words mean a lot, Brad – I know you have gone through so much yourself.
Yes, cancer is hard.
Annika, the poem and the picture are wonderful. How nice to see a museum with interaction is encouraged. Hope your winter is less stressful than your early fall.
Pat, the whole museum was inspirational and I came away uplifted – the high point was definitely giving this very special statue a hug (or three!) The interaction is a terrific idea and also that the museum wasn’t segmented into time lines ensured one saw the similarity of art across the millennia – truly fascinating. Yes, I truly hope the winter is more calmer – I’m gradually settling into a new equilibrium and more than ever seeing the magic of each day.
Definitely heading in the right direction. 👍👍👍
Sending love and healing thoughts, Annika, and deep gratitude for the wonder and beauty you share. 💜
Carol, that means so much, thank you. Your words give me such warmth and bring light into my soul. Bless you. 🙏❤️
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Beautiful. My prayers are with you.
Pam, that means a lot – thank you. 🙏
Sooo enjoyed the poem and the whole post. Thanks. Be well. 🤗
Selma, your understanding means so much to me, thank you and also for the lovely Mary Oliver quote – I feel more like this than ever before. Rocky days but taking the blessings in them all and some turn out to give such a lift and bring unexpected light. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem and post – it felt right to share this – and as with much of my writing, if I have a beginning the rest writes itself. xx ❤️
Hey Annika, dear one. Blessings. So nice to see you returned. My sweet, sorry about your loss and other news…
Also, I received your message the other day but chose to give you space. What I did about your lovely book came straight from my heart my friend. Very deserving. Wish I could have done it sooner. Anyway —anyway.
And, (Mary Oliver) If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it…
Please be well. I bless you again.
I love your poem with accompanying photo. I’ve bookmarked it to come back to. I am so sorry to hear about your family’s bereavement and cancer diagnosis. I’ll be thinking about you, Annika.
Liz, it is wonderful that you love my poem and great that you’re coming back to it – thank you so much. 🙏 These times in life are tough to say the least and your thoughts mean a lot to me.
You’re most welcome, Annika!
I’m so sorry to hear of your bad news, and hope that you and your family are managing as best you can. Take your time, as we’ll all be here for you when you feel up to a full return.
I studied History of Art at UEA and the Sainsbury donation was the big story of my final year there. Sadly, the Centre didn’t open until I had left but I have been back for a visit, and it is a fantastic collection!
Clive, your gentle kind words brings tears to my eyes – knowing the warmth of the community here, such as yourself, means so much to me and is a great support. I am seeing some light and feel an increasing sense of equilibrium thankfully.
How exciting that you studied at the UEA! I’d never been there before but the campus looks great and Norwich is a lovely arty town. Also, I love that you’ve been to the Sainsbury Centre. When we were looking for things to do in the area my husband read out the name and I dismissed it as something to do with just food – I couldn’t be more wrong! 😀
The blogging community is the best form of social media, isn’t it, and I know you can rely on much support.
UEA was a great place to study. It celebrated its 10th year while I was there and was growing rapidly. The Broad was being dammed and developed during my final year and is now so beautiful – I revisited for the 50th anniversary in 2013 and wished it had all been like that in my day!. Norwich is, as they say ‘a fine city’ which was always a joy to visit. If you make a return trip I can also recommend the Castle Museum – history and art all in one place 😊
That must have been something to be there so early on. I knew the university was known for its arts but not how much! It must have been an inspiring place.Haha! The Castle was our first port of call but alas closed – will definitely check out its museum next time. It sounds just my kind of place! 😀
It has a great reputation, especially for fine arts and literature. Sir Malcolm Bradbury was a Professor in my time, and his courses and lectures were superb. He started the Creative Writing course which has since produced many well known novelists. His novel The History Man came out as well were finishing there, and it was great fun spotting who the various characters were based on.
A pity about the Museum but it is definitely worth a visit. I spent loads of time in there – in an earlier configuration – admiring their collection of Norwich School paintings.
We sometimes give from what we need. Than tender embrace, so beautifully expressed, is for you, too. Sending an additional hug.
Ashen, your wisdom knows no bounds! ❤️ I fear I kept going back for an extra hug or two from the dear statue, seeing, feeling something different each time. Thank you for your words and the extra hug too! Xx
I’m so sorry to hear of your bereavement and the family illness. Thanks for the lovely poem. Sending you all best wishes xx
Helena, at the darkest one fears never to create again, this poem hopefully just the beginning to writing once more! Thank you so much for your kind wishes.
I found your poem beautiful!
I am so sorry you have been going through a difficult time and I send you all my sympathy and love
Luisa, warmest thanks and lovely that you liked the poem. Your wishes and love mean so much to me – thank you. It has been tough and continues to be so but at last finding balance in my days and life. Hugs xx ❤️
Annika, thanks a lot for your lovely reply!
I wish you all the best 🙏💌🙏
I’m so sorry to hear that you have had loss and illness in your family. Life can be so hard and difficult sometimes. I wish your relative good health and a speedy recovery. Come by when you can and try to be good to yourself. Thanks for sharing your beautiful heartfelt poem with us. 💛
Lynette, thank you so much for your caring and kind words. Yes, life can be almost unbearably hard but then a glint of light will force its way through and gives the spirit a little lift. Alas, barring a miracle, which I’m still holding out for, there will be no full recovery- and even just writing that has me shaking. We are all trying to live each day to the fullest. I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem, it’s taken a while but I’m dipping my toes into writing again and it feels good. Xx ❤️
Hi Annika, I am so sorry to read about your loss and family health problems. I know how stressful and difficult such circumstances are. Sending you love and light. The poem is beautiful.
Robbie, your words mean so much to me and I know you have gone through very difficult times in recent years. Your wishes touch my heart and one must never forget the light. I’m glad you liked the poem – we took a long weekend break away and after everything I seem to feel and see things with renewed intensity.
I am glad you were able to take a break. Caregiving and emotional turbulence are very tiring. Light always helps 💫🌻
The good thing about blogging is we can dip in and out, no schedule to meet and a welcome when you drop in. Best wishes for all your family.
Janet, so true and the welcome back always warms my heart, more so now than ever! Many thanks for your kind words. Xx
Dear Annika, I so love your beautiful and tender poem. What a wonderful idea to have a statue that say “ Hug me “. Your face is filled with tenderness as you hug the mother and child.
I do understand how sorrows and difficulties brings you low. There are times when we just need quiet in our soul to let healing take place. It is wonderful to see you back and read your uplifting words.❣️
Miriam
Dear Miriam, I’m so happy my poem touches you and I was feeling very tender and safe in that moment! Even though I knew it was okay to give it a hug, I still had to ask an employee for permission – it felt so alien to everything we learn about museums!
Bless you for your warm, spiritual and wise words, my friend. I know you have gone through so much so understand the pain of these times. I am moved with the idea of giving the soul quiet time, just so. At first one fights it in our world of busyness but once embraced a kind of recovery can take place, to finding some light and balance in life. Love & hugs xx 💕
You never know when someone is going to flip that switch from happy to sad, Annika. It’s why we always say to live each day, and hug whenever we can. It’s a rocky road sometimes. Sending hugs!
Jo, bless you for your beautiful words. Those flips are rough indeed and I’ve been aware that the moments of light and joy this summer have been fragile but no idea how much so. How true to live for each day and I’m trying to get back to that and find a sense of equilibrium again. Hugs & love xx ❤️