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.
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© Kelleigh McKenzie with Lois Linet
Watercolor girl immersed
Tiny little hands at work
Savoring the painting while father says
It isn’t good enoughFalse 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 meAnd oh, I go to unknown places
And I grow and open up in stages
The pearl forms in layers, vulnerable
Imperfect, beautifulPiazza Senoria, islands in Japan
Pantomime and pottery and grammar diagrams
Looking for identity, but finding a manBlooming 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 hostileAnd oh, I go to unknown places
And I grow and open up in stages
The pearl forms in layers, vulnerable
Imperfect, beautifulLike 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, beautifulThe morning light’s a warm embrace
Stargazer lilies in the vase
Biscuits and the teacup assembled
With intention and gracePlanning 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 fadeAnd 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