1000 Words: An Inspired Writing - Together We Will Survive

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

This spring SSAC has ushered in a new collaborative exhibit between our Visual Artists and Writers. Compelling and evocative images inspired stories and poetry of joy and sorrow, fear and longing.

Both the images and the accompanying writing will be shared in store, online, and featured here in our blog throughout the next seven weeks.

Artwork Created By: B J Thompson
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Together We Will Survive
by Angie Rose-Carnegie

Anka had carefully drawn and painted the symbol on the upper right pane as she had been instructed. The two brown circles were joined to the flaxen one. Where they intersected the co-joined sections had turned golden, as if chasing away the darkness. Material remnants covered the other 3 panes of glass. Shivering she stood at the window and looked out on the snowy field illuminated by a thin sliver of moon.

In Christian circles the symbol was known as the trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. She had learned the prayers as a child. Now, this was her talisman, the equivalent of the lamb's blood over the doorposts for the Hebrews in Egypt, or so she had been assured.

It had been promised. All those who displayed the symbol would be left alone.

She should have escaped with the others months ago, but her mother was too sick. Anka could not leave her to die alone. And now that her mother had passed, it was too late for Anka to leave. Perhaps in the spring she would flee, but she must survive until then.

With renewed hope she had prayed and drawn and painted. With the symbol to protect her she would survive. She stared at the bleak scene beyond her window.

A single blow struck her door. A man's deeply accented voice bellowed, "Open up!"

The next crash was more insistent. "Open up or we'll break the door down!"

Trembling, she went to the door and slowly opened it. Two uniformed men stood on the other side.

"Look," she said pointing to the window. "I have the symbol."

They looked at each other and laughed.

The first soldier pushed past her, raised his gun and shot. The glass shattered.

"What symbol?" he asked and reached for her.

Thank you for reading! We hope you enjoyed this instalment of 1000 Works. Please stop by our store to enjoy the art in person if you have a chance.

Like what you see? Want to take it home? Purchase this Painting HERE