Becoming by Lori Lassiter
Medium: Mixed media on paper
Dimensions: 7.5 x 12 inches
Artist statement: “Once viewed as the scum of the Earth, What was is NOT what is…I’m on the endless journey of BECOMING…THIS IS ME!”
Image description: A woman in a purple robe extends her hands to show an image of a young girl crying in a kneeling position. The woman’s face shows partial gaps in the flesh that reveal teeth and bone, and she is crying. The rawing is framed by the words “What was is not what is…BECOMING”.
Poem by Lori Lassiter:
THE WOMAN I AM NOW
I could paint you a perfect picture
but that would not be true
the reality is I’m stronger, I’m better
yet I still have some work to do…
Everyday is a new journey
a new plight if you will
I often struggle just to keep living
not wanting time to stand still…
The Woman I Am Now
strives to do better each day
acknowledging my imperfections
but not allowing my past to get in the way.
I try to focus on what’s ahead
awaiting this rainbow after the storm
I inflict-impose-incur self healing while trying to escape the morm…
The Woman I am Now?
has honestly learned from her mistakes
I want to be productive, help others
no longer someone the world hates…
addiction-prostitution
committing senseless crimes
these things were all unnecessary
these things I’ve left behind…
The Woman I am Now
smiles often and laughs more
I have grown wiser and more confident
believing any circumstances i can endure.
I’m striving to be positive
remembering there are many lies but only one truth
I’m trying my best to be an example
for my elders, my peers-and our youth…
yet, The Woman I Am Now
still has flaws surfacing away
hurt-rejection-anger-loneliness
but she’s better than yesterday.
OH, but I could paint you a perfect picture of the woman you think I should be
a beauty of perfect perfection
but that picture would not be of me…
for I am wondrously flawed
fighting hard not to succumb
yet everyday of my life
I am prouder of the woman I’ve become.
So The Woman I Am Now
is not the woman of yesterday
in weakness I find strength
in lost-ness I find a way…
For each day has it’s own struggles
to stay strong-to maintain
to not cede cede in my losses
but to celebrate in my gain…
to take chances, to believe
to not run or pull out my talons
but to stand firm and to trust I can rise above any challenge.
THE WOMAN I AM TODAY…
I’m a work in continuously found
but I will assure you of this
I truly love the woman I am Now.