Lois Linet — “Imperfect, Beautiful”

Lois Linet and I spent many afternoons together in the winter/spring of 2016 at her tranquil home in the mountains in Bearsville, New York. An accomplished visual artist, we discussed her life not only during interviews, but also through the prism of her stunning collages, photographs, paintings, and poetry. Gradually, her story took shape in song, but we were struggling to find the key lyric that brought it all together. Then I remembered in one of our conversations she mentioned her fondness for the traditional Japanese aesthetic “wabi-sabi,” which values the acceptance of imperfection (Lois has spent much time in Japan). And there it was, “Imperfect, Beautiful.”

Lois’ song was part of the “Woodstock Elders” concert featuring eight elders in the Woodstock, NY community.

  • © Kelleigh McKenzie with Lois Linet

    Watercolor girl immersed
    Tiny little hands at work
    Savoring the painting while father says
    It isn’t good enough

    False promises and wishing wells
    A childhood drawn in muted dark pastels
    Standing up at 19 like a tulip in Spring
    Saying mother and brother, I’m leaving, come with me

    And oh, I go to unknown places
    And I grow and open up in stages
    The pearl forms in layers, vulnerable
    Imperfect, beautiful

    Piazza Senoria, islands in Japan
    Pantomime and pottery and grammar diagrams
    Looking for identity, but finding a man

    Blooming as the young doctor’s wife
    Organizing community, belonging in a life
    Nurturing my children with sunflower smiles
    In the shadow of a husband increasingly hostile

    And oh, I go to unknown places
    And I grow and open up in stages
    The pearl forms in layers, vulnerable
    Imperfect, beautiful

    Like a butterfly emerging I break free and leave it all
    Twist and turn and let the fluid fill my wings
    I feel my heartbeat, that’s me inside
    I hear my voice, and know my mind
    I let my art speak, collage my world
    Imperfect, beautiful
    Imperfect, beautiful

    The morning light’s a warm embrace
    Stargazer lilies in the vase
    Biscuits and the teacup assembled
    With intention and grace

    Planning for my daughter’s day
    Yearning for my son to find his way
    Contemplate the limits that visit with age
    And the beauty of blossoms as they wither and fade

    And oh, I go to unknown places
    And I grow and open up in stages
    The pearl forms in layers, vulnerable
    Imperfect, beautiful
    Imperfect, beautiful
    Imperfect, beautiful

Convergence 5x7 photograph by Lois Linet

 

Recuerdo 10x8 collage by Lois Linet

Still Water, Clear Mind 28x18 pastel by Lois Linet

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