Poetry Visualized

In October, I'll be the featured artist for the Lawrence Partnership for the Arts. I have a number of ideas and hundreds and probably thousands of pictures I could use that would feature my love of Americana. While I may still include some of that, I really wanted to do something more challenging and so I've asked people through my Facebook page and elsewhere to email or send me a poem they'd like to see interpreted in photos. My first set was submitted to me from my friend and band mate Mike Mulvaney who is a prolific songwriter and amazing guitarist/musician. This is his poem and this is how I see how he "Paints the Sky". These photos were all taken within 20 hours all within 5 minutes of my apartment. Which coincidentally is in Lawrence. Enjoy and if you have a poem you'd like me to interpret, email me at diehlphotographicarts@gmail.com

SKY PAINTER by Mike Mulvaney c1994
Do you lay your head upon His breast
When you see the setting sun?
Do the rays that pierce departing clouds
Bring warmth where there was none?
Does the night breeze whisper to your heart
That He's still in control?
Do you ever pause to see this scene unfold?

Sky Painter, show me the beauty of your works
You're the Artist and the Architect of all the universe
And when my blind eyes fail to see your hand in everything
Please hold me while you teach me how to see.

When a gray sky weeps, releasing rain
Does His mercy wash your soul?
And instead of gloom you feel the joy of once more being whole
Then in winter chill the pearl gray sky
Is a blanket, soft and warm
In this fallen world, He shelters us from harm

Sky Painter, show me the beauty of your works
You're the Artist and the Architect of all the universe
And when my blind eyes fail to see your hand in everything
Please hold me while you teach me how to see.

In the velvet of a clear night sky
His jewelry displayed
Hinting of perfection that mere diamonds cannot claim
And even when the clouds obscure
This vision from His throne
He sees us still, He will not leave us alone

Sky Painter, show me the beauty of your works
You're the Artist and the Architect of all the universe
And when my blind eyes fail to see your hand in everything
Please hold me while you teach me how to see.

In that moment just before the dawn
As your first words speak His Name
See the single spark of day's first light
Ignite the sky to flame
Once again we know new mercies
Once again, the promise learned -
Through skies like these He one day will return

Sky Painter, show me the beauty of your works
You're the Artist and the Architect of all the universe
And when my blind eyes fail to see your hand in everything
Please hold me while you teach me how to see.