Wounds
I am more
than the sum of these wounds,
though they threaten to engulf me.
Yet sometimes, the wounds seem greater than I,
and they drag me back into
the raw and ragged edges of memory,
where pain casts a dark shadow beside me.
Within me the hands of fate have carved
a well so deep that at times there seems
NO way out,
and I claw the walls with bleeding hands and cry for release.
Is this all I am?
Is this the meaning to my existence?
Is this what I came here for?
Deep within I hear the whisper that tells me to look,
there IS more.
This self same well that struggles to contain my sorrow and incubate my fears, is the same vessel that would hold all my love,
even all the love of this world,
and emanate an effervescent light of joy from its depths.
Yet I pass through it without realizing I have been a prisoner
of my own choosing.
How doggedly we hollow out this well, and fill ourselves with what we know, or think we do,
how blindly we allow it to define who we are,
and sound out the rhythm of our being….
but as deep as the pain cuts darkly,
and the wound gouges out a hollow so black,
so much deeper is that place within that might burst with love and joy, an empty space resounding with potential
and the promise of healing and truth.
IF only we could realize we are more,
than that which we let overwhelm us.
I was walking through the forest and saw a red glow ahead of me in the shadows….. there was a bright red circle on a fallen tree and it drew me to it. I could not believe how bright this red wound was, on this tree, a gaping, raw, bloody hole, and it made me weep inside for all living things. This is the sight, the image, that made me think more about my own woundedness, and perhaps the wounds that we all carry and too often lose ourselves in. 
Wounds belongs to the following groups:
Freedom In Words & Art, Spiritual Art, The Healing Journey and The Human Condition Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Sean Farragher
BRILLIANT WORK,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,BEAUTIFUL DRAMATIC COLORS
Dawnsky2
..stunning image Wendy, very poweful indeed and along with the words, this whole piece is beautifully striking!!! :)
Ravenor
Wow Wendy!!.. a scary and very powerful message here, and wonderful work on the image my friend!!
Virginia McGowan
oooh sigh … so ….. superb.
midzing
powerful and dramatic work,,, well done Wendy
LindaR
Wendy ~ you are an inspiration to your Self and to us at the same time ~ circumstances and pain of living can be transformed from the darkness into the light ~ even just a spark at the top of the “well” you’ve painted so clearly ~ because in the light there is the truth, in the light there is love ~ in the light there is all the abundance we could hope for…and more than we can imagine. I just love your heart my friend xxx
Lucindawind
excellent !!
Crowmanic
Complex techniques used and well integrated detailing; with words that truly compliment and interact with the visual. Well done … of course ;-)
Jan Piller
Wow!! Nice job Wendy!! Was the wound really that red? what kind of tree does this?
Wendy Slee
Jan, thanks! And thanks for asking.
It honestly was “glowing” in the shadows of the other trees! It really was a bit freaky, and caught my eye, as it seemed to be on fire. I have never seen anything like this before – this is on a forest track beside our family farm (which backs onto the state forest) where I have walked most of my life…... IT would only have been a redgum or jarrah, but i never took much notice…. should get some idea from the bark….
this image was not altered, it was as I shot it…...
thanks for asking as I am really confused as to why it glowed like this….(and it was like that every day when I walked past….week after week…....tho’ now it has faded quite a bit…..)
AlteredIllusions
Amazing work, Wendy – both the tree shot and the composite above!
pixie3
Stunning work!! Love the art and the poem!!
Paul (Quixote)...
Brilliant composition. Love the action and strong hues.
lex7
Very powerful piece Wendy, the color in this is also great. The emotion and movement of this really draws the viewer in.. great job.
cdwork
Amazing work- Always more food for thought – I love it
cherylc1
brillant!!
Basia McAuley
The emotion which you have conveyed is intense.. The layering which you have achieved is nothing less than brilliant, I love everything about this !! Well done once again Dear Wendy!
MuscularTeeth
that is great !
Helene Kippert
Beautiful dramatic work wendy
Antanas
superb
frogster
One word Wendy my friend and that is a big WOW
Kelly J
aahhh.. your work is wonderful :)
dawndavies
wow stunning
Chris Willis
I so love this image….full of emotion, both in the subject matter and your use of colour
arteology
intense
RMonroe
Excellent the work and words….Wow:)
liesbeth
ok… thought to myself; don’t need ( want?) to look at this picture..but it has so much power in it i just couldn’t ignore it… then i read the words.. they took me…touched me..and not too long ago they would have made me cry..;-) but more and more i’m getting out of the feelings that could overwhelm me and understand the process..
a fav for me, as a reminder .
Paul Stephen ...
Great piece of work it realy grips and moves me as does the poem as a description.
A wonderfuk collage of dreamlike scenes such are the visions we somtime have when hurting so bad and the memories flood our souls,while we wait for the powers of the universe to start and help with our healing.
Aloramyst
Beautiful work!
Amber Elizabet...
Beautiful Work Wendy Dramtic Image … Powerfully Moving…
Blessings Of a Terrific Day Amber Elizabeth {hugs}
linskudd
Oh wow.
WayoftheWarrior
They run deep, they leave scars, they always remind you they were there even when they heal, excellent work
Wendy Slee replied
Thank you so much….
lianne
Sometimes Wendy I think I only visit and read when I’m brave enough to face myself for I always know that’s what I’ll find in your work. Such compelling honesty and the wisdom to seek the balance and the deeper truth that there is more than woundedness to our “Self” – always there is the capacity – endless and bottomless – for love and light and hope. I am so moved by both this image and this incredible verse that gives voice and expression to my own inner struggle. An absolute masterpiece.
Wendy Slee replied
You have just paid me one of the richest compliments I have ever had for my work….... Lianne, thank you so very much, for sharing your thoughts and reactions with me like this. You are so honest and open and I am so glad that my offerings can bring something to you that is either positive or thought provoking or able to move you in some way. I created this piece from a place of woundedness and in an attempt to see my way clear of that energy…....and felt so healed in its completion….. I hope that in the energy exchange between us, some peace and light will come to you too….... hugs….
intensual
Love the depth of your creativity.
Wendy Slee replied
Thank you so much for stopping in to view my work…I appreciate you!
Adrian Kent
Wendy, you are a marksman with both the pen and the brush, awesome!
Wendy Slee replied
Thank you very much, Adrian! That is a wonderful comment!
Alessandro Pinto
fantastic image..great concept..!
Wendy Slee replied
sorry it took me a while to reply, but thank you so much for stopping by to view my work (smiles)
jwinman
very powerful! fantastic photo editing.
Wendy Slee replied
Thank you for your wonderful comment!
Vicki Ferrari
Strong and emotional, work and words… your work is exceptional and thank you so much for sharing with us, the way that you do.
Wendy Slee replied
hi Vicki….thank you so much for your lovely comments…...your words mean a lot to me! (smiles)
Maureen Bloesch
beautiful!
Wendy Slee replied
thank you Maureen….. :-)
Anji Johnston
Such an emotional piece – love it!
Wendy Slee replied
Hi Anji, Thank you for viewing my work…..it means a lot to me…..and is always nice to meet and share with new people…
(smiles)