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 
The Embrace is fantastic. LOVE it and your poem.
Thank you so much for this!
Sorry to hear about the tribulations in your family. My commiserations.
~ Resa
Resa, thank you so much for your wonderful words about my poem and post and your kind thoughts and care mean so much to me. Hugs xx ❤️
Hugs flying back! xxo🤍🕊💓
Embracing you with a loving hug and understanding. Always, my friend. ❤
Hugs back, Pam and your understanding means a lot to me. xx ❤️ ps. I’m smiling at the bucket of white roses … just the notion has warms my heart.
Annika, Your photo and poem are beautiful. I’m sorry to read that you and your family have been experiencing loss and illness. Like you, I’m catching up on reading blogs. I’m thinking of you and sending you and your family good wishes.
Natalie, bless you for your warm care and concern – thank you so much! It is lovely that you enjoyed my poem and photo. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend … catching up on blogs! 😀❤️
Wonderful photo and poem!
Thank you so much, Dawn. xx
Well done! Such a great inspiration indeed!
Thank you so much!
I love the poem! sending you positivity and love 🌻💛
I love this picture of you hugging the mother and child. I really like the idea of actually connecting with art.
But I’m so sorry you and your family have been facing loss and illness. I understand that kind of sadness. Please know that I am thinking about you and wishing you peace and hope. 🧡🧡🧡
Barbara, thank you so much for your heartfelt words and wishes – I am touched by your thoughts and kindness. Peace and hope proved elusive for a while but I’m finding them again. ❤️ I’m glad you liked the picture of me giving a hug to this wonderful statue – I couldn’t help but feel uplifted and cosseted! 😀
Sorry for your difficult times, but I was greatly heartened by the idea of a “hug me” piece of art/poetry… the world needs more of this right now! Virtual hugs to you, Linda xx
Linda, that’s so true! The world needs lots more of these sentiments, hugs really are healing! Thank you so much for your lovely comment and warm kind wishes. Xx
My absolute pleasure, take care, Linda xx
Your poem and smile brought me so much joy, Annika. I was gutted, however, to read your news. As someone who has been through it, my heart aches for you. I’m so sorry, my friend. As you navigate the days ahead, take care of yourself. During that awful time I endured, I put all my energy into caring for everyone around me while neglecting myself, and I am still clawing my way back to a healthy state of being. So don’t be a Tanya! I’m sending lots of love and hugs to you. ❤️
Tanya, you have me laughing now at your sweet ‘bossy’ comment of ‘So don’t be a Tanya!’ I know you’ve gone so much, given so much of yourself it’s nearly torn you to pieces – I promise to try and look after myself and I’m lucky with family and friends nearby too! Yet, loving so much, caring so much, is not a fault, maybe just who we are and we can’t be different. Thank you so much for your heartfelt concern, my friend, your love, hugs & thoughts means so much to me. Hugs, Annika xx 💕
Thoughts and prayers, Annika. I loved the partridge poem under nature too. Hugs and blessings. oxox
Mary Ann, your thoughts and prayers mean a lot and thank you so much. 🙏 It’s lovely you came across Partridges Without a Pear Tree post and liked it so much. I hadn’t realised that’s actually my second all-time top post – when did that happen?
Small world, Annika. I have missed you and wondered if you were taking a break or writing a book. Hugs and blessings. oxox
I’m sorry for those things, Annika. I know how upsetting things like that are for me. Yet you gave us this lovely, positive post. That’s so great about the museum allowing people to touch the statues. Your poem — and your explanation are simply beautiful. Big hugs.
Teagan, it is the unexpected beauty, the warm friendships that make those difficult times bearable. It means a lot that you understand the duality of such moments in life and I feel for you that you’ve gone through so much yourself. Thank you so much for your care and wonderful you liked the poem and explanation. Hugs xx 💕
Always welcome dear Annika 🙏🙏
A warm and heartfelt poem! Keep writing!
I give your family all my good wishes! May your family member recover from dancer as soon as possible!
Tia, thank you so much for your lovely comment and warm wishes! Also, I’m smiling at your ‘keep writing’ – I will! 😀
Annika your poem is excellent. Kindness goes a long way. So nice to see you hugging the statue.
Thank you so much, Kamal – I couldn’t help but be uplifted and inspired by such a unique embracing moment! 😀
I’m glad to see your recent post, Annika! Your embrace of the mother-daughter sculpture and your beautiful poem are touching. Sorry about your family loss and the cancer diagnosis! It sure is a difficult time for the family.
I understand the concern about preserving the ancient arts and the “do not touch” rules. We regularly take the grandkids to the Oregan Museum and Science Institute. It’s wonderful to have hands-on exploration, science labs, and experimentation for visitors.
Take care of yourself and your family. The blogging community is here whenever you come back.
Miriam, thank you for the lovely and warm welcome back and it’s wonderful that you found my post moving!
Yes, it has, and is, a difficult time but slowly gaining a sense of equilibrium again.
I saw your post about the fun times at the science museum with your grandchildren and wrote a comment there. It looks a fabulous museum and when my son was younger we often took him to similar places in the U.K. and in Sweden – I think we all equally enjoyed the visits! 😀 It is great that art museums are gradually turning in this interactive direction as well.
I have been overwhelmed, in the most positive way possible, by the warm support and friendship here on WP – a blessing indeed and such a support. Thank you for your kind and caring words, my friend. Xx ❤️
My blogging schedule has been erractic since I moved, Annika! My body is still making adjustment to the new temperature and envoronment. I’m seeing an ENT doctor for my constant runny nose. My daughter got a full time job half a year ago. Hubby and I took on more responsibility to watch the girls after school.
As a result, I’m not blogging or commenting on blogs regularly. The WP community is wonderful and supportive. They welcome me whenever I can blog.
Yes, it’s a blessing for us to be here for each other, my freind. ❤ ❤
Hope all goes well with your appointment, Miriam and totally understand your commitments make a regular schedule more difficult. As you say, everyone on WP more than understands and relates to this – lovely to see you here when you have a chance. Xx ❤️
Exactly, Annika! We all have our priorities and we blog for fun! ❤
It appears this Mother & Child returned the favor of connection. 🙂 I’m so sorry for your bereavements, Annika. Be kind to yourself. hugs from across the pond.
ps-your poem highlights what (he)art is all about.
Laura, absolutely! You can see that in the photo and poem, can’t you?!😀 After the trials of the last couple of months hugs mean a lot and this was a more unusual one but very soothing. Thank you so much for the hugs and yes, I’m trying to be kind to myself – but I do need a reminder. Thanks also for your last sentence- I’m glad you think so! Hugs xx 💕
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing The Hug and your latest challenges. Life has a way of doing that to us.
Hang in there!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Deb! It’s all any of us can do – try to hang in and definitely much easier surrounded by the love of family and friends! It’s wonderful you liked the post!
The poem and photo are delightful. I’m sorry to read about your family situations but will look for you whenever you have the chance to write here. Take care.
Awww, Ally, that’s lovely and so glad you found them delightful! Just the sentiment I wanted to share! Thank you so much for this and also for looking out for my posts! I have so many flagged up, including yours and look forward to catching up. Hope you’re having a cosy weekend. Xx 😀❤️