light through trees

Patience: a poem

Grandpa worked in wood. It required patience.
He was an avid fisherman. I tagged along to row the boat.
It taught me patience. 

Author Marci Alvis-Slinski with a piece of her fiber art

Grandma was an elegant seamstress who created things of beauty. It took patience to create these masterpieces.
She was an excellent cook. I learned at her side. 
It took patience. 

My mother was an invalid. I learned patience. 

My father was an intellectual and a scholar who worked in the real world then retreated to read. He had patience. 

All my life I have been an Artist working in a myriad of mediums. It required my patience. 
When I found Fiber & Fabric Art,
it took all my patience. 

An oriental rug created by Marci that took more than five years to complete. Patience.

To practice Patience is to quiet the mind and the soul.  
If Yoga and Tai Chi are meditations in motion,
then Fiber Art is minuscule movements and
tiny meditations in patience.   

By watching others who are masters of it,
we practice centering. It is learned and passed on:
this gift of patience.  

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Marci Alvis-Slinski

Marci Alvis-Slinski

Providence Associate Candidate Marci Alvis-Slinski was educated by the Sisters of Providence at St. Joan of Arc school and St. Agnes Academy in Indianapolis. Marci has served as an art director in New England and is currently a professional artist living in Indiana. She has won champion ribbons in oriental rug making and crewel embroidery. Her art has been
exhibited in central Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and throughout New England.

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3 Comments

  1. Marci!

    How lovely! The work of art making can be embodied prayer…as you so eloquently describe your practice of fiber art! I look forward to meeting you at one of the our future gatherings as Associates at the Woods.

    Meanwhile, I will continue during the Pandemic to practice the art of Calligraphy (I’m at level 1 at best!) and embrace the possibilities of deepening my prayer life as I do!

  2. Your poem became a reflection on all the little things in life that seemed annoyances at the time but were truly lessons in patience. Imagine what patience our Provident God must have in allowing us to complete the creation that God planned for us in the beginning! Your art work is uniquely beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us!!

  3. Hello Marci,
    Your art is so beautiful and I love your poem.
    I liked your poem especially because you mention your family and how each one worked in patience. I also write poetry and I shall remember how much the virtue of patience helps one succeed as you have.
    Thank you for sharing!
    I look forward to meeting you! I also graduated from St Agnes!
    God bless you,
    Janet Schnorr Tosick, PA

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