Themes of Shelter
Working with the Arab Community Centre of Toronto, MABELLEarts artist in residence Ruth Howard, along with lead artists Faten Toubasi, Melanie Fernandez, and Brenna MacCrimmon worked with participants around the theme of shelter and small acts of kindness. During one of the session, we created this collaborative poem:
Shelter
is everything
is the home.
is light
lights on the road
lights of the city
lights from the sky
light of home
Shelter is…
good and bad
safe vulnerable
exciting
different
Shelter is…
A gateway
warm, welcoming, encouraging.
Open doors, kitchens, fireplaces
Shared opinions, discussions, books, articles
that keeps me going
I close my eyes and see her soul.
No one can replace her.
Gives without thinking.
Protects
Shields
She is the heart
the backbone
the soul’s characteristics
Shelter is…
The love of the people you meet… depend on them.
My mother who no one can replace
My father who covered me with his jacket from the military
My Grandparents who allowed me to be myself
People who I take a walk to be with… even strangers
People, who expect the good and find endless love and support
Always close wherever I go.