Kurrajong Heights artist Merle Lester is a long-time creative whose work reflects a lifetime of observation, resilience and quiet spirituality. Trained at the National Art School and a former high school art teacher of 30 years, Merle is known for her expressive abstract works inspired by nature, cellular forms and the inner landscape of the human spirit. Her pieces often explore themes of growth, reflection and connection, rendered through intricate line work and layered textures.
Alongside her visual art, Merle also writes poetry, bringing the same contemplative and introspective voice to the written word. Whether through paint, ink or verse, her creativity continues to enrich the cultural life of the Hawkesbury community.
May your days be joyful and serene
>
> my poem... breath
>
> the day is such
> the closing of the season of summer
> an Indian summer as it is known
> maybe on the cards
> summer an autumn mixture
>
> the coloured autumn leaves have begun their journey
> brightly singing their songs in hues of brown orange red and yellow
>
> how beautifully they sing
>
> the leaves will fall silently to the earth below
>
> i will take great delight
> crunching the dried leaves
> under my footsteps
> as i wander aimlessly in the garden
> trusting my eyes to witness
> the beauty and magic of autumn
> and all its
> magnificence
>
>
> a comfort to my soul
> that so often cries for peace
>
> where is peace my friend ?
> will i find it under a small rock in this garden?
> will i find it in the white fluffy clouds above in the blue sky ?
> i search
>
> and love
> where is love i ask?
> the universal love
> we all share as human beings
> the love of mankind
> must i again look under the small rock in this garden
>
> and discover
>
> what will i discover?
> what will any of us discover ?
>
> will we discover we are made of earth
> of sunlight
> star dust
> and moon beams
> and so much more
>
> so who of us have the answers to the eternal question
> what is life ?
>
> is not life but breath?
>
> and so it goes
>
> the wonderment
> amazement
> of living
>
> we have breath
> but how many of us know
> how to breathe ?
