Cantus Cordis Mei
On paper she has feathers,brittle hairpins that become ledgers
for minor scales, her fury boils in chambers
where fire and water cannot mix.
If you are discerning, you may notice
the crescendo of her nocturne
is a parallel pulsing of wings
etched in the riff of steam
that settles on silver barb, slow to
evaporate,
fingers s t r a i n i n g
to reach major chords.
Cantus Cordis Mei: The Video Poem
Artist Statement:
My hybrid work is called Cantus Cordis Mei (Latin for ‘The Song of my Heart’). Three pieces are intertwined and deeply rooted in each other and in the creative process. The ‘song’ is a piano composition I have written to express the poem. The artwork is a collage inspired by historical anatomy plates and drawings, perhaps influenced in part by my job as a doctor, and explores not only the poem’s theme but also the physical versus emotional and internal versus external expressions and representations of love and heartache. Within the video-work I have tried to traverse the process of the poet/artist in generating ideas and formulating the piece of art – in whichever form it comes – building it up from the elements from which it originated.
Sarah Raybould is a poet and GP in the Derbyshire Peak District. In 2023 she performed a commissioned work for English Touring Opera and performs with a local Spoken Word group. Recent work has been published by The Page Gallery Journal, The Fig Tree and Rough Diamond Poetry. She is featured in the Poetry and Health showcase organised by the National Poetry Library and has several exciting publications lined up for 2026. Social Media: IG: raybould_sarah X: @raybould_drs Bluesky: @sarahraybould.bsky.social
IceFloe Press 