Lanterns’ Dance

by

While the city is outside celebrating, I’m in bed recovering. For days I’d been anticipating creating this drawing. I want to be strong and free, like the wind that gives these lanterns their dance – yet I could only dream.

Sickness drained me of energy. I’d been in bed three days when Chinese New Year’s Eve came. Forcing myself up, I asked my daughter to help me gather my supplies. We brought them to my bedside, then my strength was gone. With firecrackers drumming in the background, I tried to rest.

Finally, with the New Year nearly in reach, I lifted paper to pencil.
I was alive and free again.

 

Lanterns’ Dance, by Charity Lee Jennings

The Days of Chinese New Year

Kids, ready to be released for the biggest holiday of the year, chanted a poem that told of the series of days that would carry them to Chinese New Year. The first special day, when they ate Eight Treasure Porridge, had already passed. Now they anticipated…

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5 Comments

  1. Pearl Allard
    Pearl Allard on February 6, 2019 at 8:24 am

    Charity, I hope you’re feeling better super soon! It stinks to be in bed sick. 🙁 Your drawing turned out so lovely! Thank you for sharing it.

    • Charity Lee Jennings
      Charity Lee Jennings on February 21, 2019 at 8:43 am

      Thanks so much, Pearl.

  2. Kathryn
    Kathryn on February 6, 2019 at 10:42 pm

    Glad you got to do it – sorry you were sick! Take time to recover.

    • Charity Lee Jennings
      Charity Lee Jennings on February 21, 2019 at 8:43 am

      Thanks, Kathryn. I did take my time to slowly ease back into life. It was actually nice to have some time to rest.

  3. M.N. Stroh
    M.N. Stroh on February 11, 2019 at 8:40 pm

    Beautiful sketch, Charity! I’m glad you felt good enough to sit and draw it.