Like the mighty phoenix,
Once again I rise from the flames set to destroy me and take flight.
I am Stronger Glorious Powerful Victorious.

I was contacted by artist-librarian Felice Sacks in April 2002 about permission to use parts of the poem that I wrote many years ago entitled "Blaze" in a silk screen print she was creating to interpret the events of September 11, 2001. I was honored that the quote was used in some small way to help in the healing process from this tragic event.

About the Image
Librarian and passionate part-time artist, Felice Sacks used an excerpt from poem, "Blaze" as part of her impressive silk screen print created for the Corcoran Art School in Washington, DC. The theme was fear, fate and faith.

The main image was printed on paper before the artist decided to use the phoenix or any text about the phoenix. The print started as a young girl's face in front of the scaffolding left over from the tragedy. The original idea was to use a curved rainbow above the girl's head to express hope, but it wasn't working out. The artists had the option to use text as part of the print. Felice searched the Internet to find a reference to the phoenix in a quotation and found the words from the poem "Blaze." The text was added along with the phoenix helping to mirror the image and creating a very powerful image with the girl covered in ash with the scaffolding of the World Trade Center behind her.

About the Project
Every year the Corcoran Art School in Washington, DC has a student printmaking portfolio project. In 2002 the theme was Fear, Fate and Faith or the September 11th tragedy. Twenty-six artists ranging in age from early 20's to late 50's contributed prints to the effort. The collection included some very powerful images and different interpretations of the sad event.

The exhibit was originally at the Troyer Gallery in DC and was on view to the public until April 27th. The Library of Congress acquired the portfolio collection. It will be on exhibit at the Library in September as an historical collection on the interpretation of this tragedy in art form.

Like the mighty phoenix, Once again I rise from the flames set to destroy me and take flight. I am Stronger Glorious Powerful Victorious.