“From Both Sides Now” [Reflections On Book - 100 Ideas That Changed Graphic Design Stephen Heller and Veronique Vienne - #77]

“I’ve looked at life”, so crooned this guy,
“From both sides now” – could not see “Why”;
But song was sung straightforwardly,
While graphics made their “Decode” plea.

It seems the mind scans chunks of text,
Can rearrange to fit what’s next;
Enjoys a puzzle – soon we rise
To quick resolve, thus be surprised.

Some artists spin, twist, maim, their words,
So “Challenge” by observer’s heard;
Compress, and mangle, section, fade,
Swarm, tangle, ’till a patchwork’s laid.

Words disappear, divided up,
Distort to cubes, more than enough;
Some can be read from multi-sides;
Distorted scrambles, meaning hides.

Some “Futurists” and “Dadist” types,
And Leterists distort the “Right”,
’Till new perspectives set the tone
For what could change within our homes.

For thirty feet around each door
Is most familiar – seen no more;
So these distortions make us see
What, in our world, perhaps, might be.

I found old photos on my disk
Did that for me – details I’d missed,
But saw quite clear – like cans of Coke
In bridal pix – failed to take note!

Lord, we don’t our world clearly see –
After three weeks, we’re bored – must be
Awakened to the marvels ’round;
Through puzzles common and life rebounds.

Thanks Lord for this.

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