Come sit with me and be my love

I had two layers of meaning in mind when I made this painting. The first is quite literal and based on a poem Christopher Marlowe wrote in 1599. It is called ” The Passionate Shepherd to his Love” and the first lines are:rnrnCome live with me and be my lovernAnd we will all the pleasures provernThat hills and valleys, dales and fieldsrnWoods, or steepy mountain yieldsrnrnThis young man spends his days outside, loves nature so much, and is longing for someone to share it with. His youthful passion may sound a bit over the top and even naive, but it is easy to identify with his cry for love, companionship and belonging. We wish him well and a long and happy life with the object of his affections!rnrnThe second layer of meaning refers to a broader human need for belonging and connection. The need to be seen and heard for who you are. The need to feel welcome and included. To be accepted, to find your place in the larger group. Come sit with us, come sit with mernrnModern life can feel hostile and divisive. A world where we are not welcome and where people are bullied and isolated. An empty life, with toxic clutter obscuring that which matters most. With this painting I yearn, perhaps as naively as Marlowe’s shepherd to his love, for a world where we are all welcome, where we are all wanted:rnrnA world that calls, rnrnCome sit with me and be my love