Bent Palm Series

Heather J. Kirk

In twenty years of living in Arizona, I had never seen a palm take a bow before. These fascinated me with how what appeared to be death completely altered their appearance, in a way, I must confess, I found incredibly beautiful. The other oddity was how the landscapers allowed them to remain this way for six months...so, I conjectured, they were not dead after all. Or perhaps nature waited for me to stop to take the pictures in their final bow before an appreciative audience, because one week later, they were gone.

In the close up views, the bent palms have an almost primordial feel to them, hovering near the ground, longing to reconnect with earth, clinging to their roots. Then, as the camera view pulls back, we see their contemporary surroundings, yet wonder if this is not how palms ought to be featured, in shimmering spotlights, finding equanimity with lamp posts and topping out with the buildings, instead of climbing out of proportion like their unnatural, irrigation-fed neighbors, towering straight and anorexic.

Bent Palm and Blue Dusk #2

Bent Palm and Blue Dusk #3

Bent Palms in Spotlight

Heather J. Kirk is a writer, photographer, and graphic designer. Her art has shown nationally, and in January 2007 was the subject of an article in Kaleidoscope magazine. A recipient of a Vermont Studio Center's Poetry Fellowship, she has published a book titled We...a spirit seeking harmony in a world that's out of sync, and contributed to Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul. Her photography and books can be seen at http://www.HeatherJKirk.com.

Interested readers can subscribe to"Heather's Art Newslettter" at HJKirk@juno.com.