Bamboo Sketches
by Charity Lee Jennings
A Mother’s Fear
My four-year-old wheeled a suitcase through the Hong Kong airport, ahead of my toddler and me. He stepped onto the escalator, turned back, and beamed. So brave, so independent, he ascended. But his smile twisted to a frown as his suitcase twisted off the step,...
“Reaching” in Graphite
Facing The Flames
My son ran ahead, the red dirt of the road under his Thomas the Train runners, the sun reflecting off his white-blonde hair. I smiled, blissfully unaware of the danger ahead. We had found a dirt road, nearly deserted, and finally escaped the watching eyes of new...
Sink Or Soar
I peddled my bike through quiet streets and got alone with the rush of the river, or the whisper of the lake. And I somehow thought I would always be there, though I dreamt of the world beyond. Now, years later, rushing by me are seas of people. I feel the void today...
Ocean View In Watercolour
After we returned to our city of millions, where nature has been hacked away and replaced by fields of high-rises, I pulled out my paints and brought back the beauty, the peace, of Penang. Here's my painting. Click the image to see it full screen. Did you see Ocean...
Ocean View
Have you read Route 101? I already miss Penang: a place to explore, a place to rest.
Route 101 – Penang, Malaysia
Palms reach toward high-rises that hide the view of the sea. Flora sprawls across lawns and creeps between houses - their backdrop: hills of uninhabited jungle. All is new and invigorating. I approach the first bus stop. A man lounges on the bench in island fashion. I...
My Hiding Place – Part 2
Though care and trouble may be mine, As down life's path I roam, I'll heed them not while still I have A world of love at home. ~J.J. Reynolds Have you read My Hiding Place - Part 1? Mr. I pulled his chair so it was touching mine and sat. I shifted away. If this...
My Hiding Place – Part 1
Peace — that was the other name for home. ~Kathleen Norris The man behind me leaned his body into mine. I shifted, trying to make the ascent more bearable but bumped the woman in front. Someone else stood at my side. You are in my space. I wanted to shout it out....
Sings Of Spring
Eucalyptus Pods
These are the seedpods Blossom and I collected. Drawing them gave life to the warm memory of my day in the park with my daughter. Did you read the post December's Blossom? It's my favourite Bamboo Sketch.
To Market, To Market
The photo above is meat curing - just down the street from our home. “What should we eat?” I squeezed into a chair at the hole-in-the-wall restaurant and suggestions came from the group of friends. “Garlic cucumbers.” “Egg and tomato.” “Glass noodles.” Our table was...