Can creative projects give us hope?

Photo courtesy of Mike Pach

Can creative projects give us hope, inspire new ways of thinking and help us get through the darkness in our life? For Colorado Springs photographer Mike Pach, the answers found in his work shout a resounding yes. His project, “Same Tree, Different Day,” not only inspired me but has positively impacted many other people as well. Mike photographed a tree behind his house each day for a year and posted them on his blog found here:

https://sametreedifferentday.wordpress.com.  He recently gave a slide show presentation of all 365 photographs at Pikes Peak Library 21C. His presentation inspired students from the Colorado Springs Conservatory to write the music that accompanied it. 

These photographs, while stunning, are much more than a beautiful collection of work. They became alive because of their story telling power.  They created a conversation about overcoming personal challenges, the universe providing for your needs and how a single moment can become a universe in of itself. This gave Mike a voice for what he wanted to say and encourages us to find our own. What project do we need to start today that creates dialogue that is important to us? My further thoughts about Mike’s project can be found in my poem below:  

Photo courtesy of Mike Pach

365 Stallions

©2016 by Jon Sargent

Capture the 365 stallions

Who go out to ride in the burning mythical dawn

What grows out of the screaming chasm of prints?

That their thunderous gallops leave behind

The tree, so wild, once dim

Now brightly swimming in fiery flint

Peel back frost bitten limbs

Tree skin with white crystal gems

Lightening sparks between dreams that thaw

Stirs the universe's provision within

The moment to leave dark shadows behind

Mirrors with open hourglass eyes

One tree electrified the viewfinder sees

I stand with it: it becomes me

Photo courtesy of Mike Pach

 “Same Tree, Different Day” is currently running a crowd campaign to fund a framed gallery exhibit of the project. For more information, visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/same-tree-different-day#

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