In a tree

I’m in a tree with the branches cradling me, rocking in a breeze leaves touching me, cool safe, from the outside world like my cradle when I was young the breeze like mother’s gentle voice, my canopy encompassing me keeping me safe, comforting, relaxed, like being on a boat in the sky, free, safe, gently rocking me to sleep, peaceful, leaves from the sun the branches rough, yet gentle, I can smell the scents of the forest coming up from the forest floor, cool, refreshing, loving, protecting home.

P

P's poem written onto tree bark, for the project Armour

Armour is a project that uses words and stitches to explore the ways we protect ourselves. It is a collaboration with veterans of armed conflict and with people who have lived experience of homelessness. We asked people to describe their personal "armour", physical and mental. Artworks inspired by gambesons, the quilted jackets worn under suits of armour, were made out of rust dyed fabric and embroidered with poems, and other writings. arthur-martha.com/portfolio/armour/

Comes to them in darker times

Comes to them in darker times

Bright sharp shining, forcefully cold

Makes me the hero strong and bold

Fields of crimson and green

Battlefields full of the dead and dying

Wives and lovers left bereft and crying.

A sword, my weapon and my friend

A piece of sharpened metal for me to defend

Cold hard steel in my command

Makes me powerful and grand

Becomes my lover in my hand.

Ian Dawes

Armour project embroidery inspired by gambersons. 

Armour is a project that uses words and stitches to explore the ways we protect ourselves. It is a collaboration with veterans of armed conflict and with people who have lived experience of homelessness. We asked people to describe their personal "armour", physical and mental. Artworks inspired by gambesons, the quilted jackets worn under suits of armour, were made out of rust dyed fabric and embroidered with poems, and other writings. https://arthur-martha.com/portfolio/armour/