This piece was first published on The Weekly Service website, where Rose is an artist in residence.
What can you say when you are separated by distance from your loved ones, and they are grieving? Migrant grief was the theme of our most recent service with Farah Beaini.
I made this painting, called “We can still drink tea together”, whilst listening to her story, and I wrote the poem before hand.
I brewed some tea and I used the tea in the painting.
Can you spot the tea?
What to say, when…
What to say when I can’t be there with you?
So much space between us two
But I can feel you
I can feel you here in my heart
When I fill my cup
I think of you
I think of you
We are still connected
Maybe you can drink the same tea as me?
Each holding our own cups across the sea
What to say when I can’t be there with you?
Make this cup of tea
I am drinking it with you
We are drinking it together
We are drinking it together
Can you feel it?
Close up of painting "We Can Still Drink Tea Together", vibrant abstract expressionist art created by Rose Wintergreen, artist in residence at The Weekly Service 2021
Close up of painting "We Can Still Drink Tea Together", vibrant abstract expressionist art created by Rose Wintergreen, artist in residence at The Weekly Service 2021
Close up of painting "We Can Still Drink Tea Together", vibrant abstract expressionist art created by Rose Wintergreen, artist in residence at The Weekly Service 2021