From the pages of Issue 3: Revival

By Lauren Bello Okerman | @folklaurstudio

Revival is the coveted state of hope, the gathering of energy, the surge towards re-creation, and the blossoming of promise. A perfect frame of mind with which to exit the hibernation of wintertime (god knows we love snow, but change is always good)––revival gives us the chance to redraw our lines and rewrite our verse into the productive months ahead. 

Sisu’s third issue, Revival, takes its lead from the spring and summer seasons and finds its creative muse in the bird, our feathered friend who appears as our days get longer and warmer. The only creature that travels through the sky, the bird is a universal symbol of hope, peace, and of transcendence.

In the art of the Pueblo people, the bird is part of the symbolic pantheon of moisture prayer. The “rain parrot” is a spiritual go-between to the upper gods to ask for rain—the great reviver of the earth and soil, the catalyst for corn and abundance for the people. From the other side of the world, we have the mythical Phoenix, the ultimate symbol of rebirth. Rising from the ashes of its predecessor’s fire, the Phoenix embodies the regenerative cycle of being and the power of flaming out and rebuilding.

Christina Armetta’s bird illustrations on page 26 are a singularly jovial collection of personalities that highlight the diversity and humor of these creatures—how colorful and how exotic. How can our hearts and minds not be stirred to wild places? From a flamingo to a penguin, these animals excite our basic desire to fly, soar, and dive. 

So, as we always do, we look to nature to inspire us to move forward. Let’s take a note from our winged messengers from the sky and stay light, stay nimble, and keep our eyes on the horizon in this season of Revival.

“I hope you love birds, too.” - Emily Dickinson