inanimate inspiration

"Whether he is an artist or not, the photographer is a joyous sensualist, for the simple reason that the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts."
                                                                           Walker Evans

I agree with this quote. Stopping and photographing this image was an emotional response, as much as a decision. Seeing it now, is an encouragement to my heart as much as a stimulation to my brain.

The world is full of inanimate inspirational objects.

in order to flourish

looking out my bedroom
window

i see the whole 
of nature

reaching 
ever reaching

for the sun
the rain

and the high holy
heavens

*I have come to see that in any situation, at any given time, nature stands ready as a mentor and great revealer of truth.

a sighting at sam's club

i saw them
i honestly did

beautiful boston ferns
at sam’s club
yesterday

nestled together 
on a silver metal flatbed
as stockers
transported them across the concrete floor

i was near the freezer section
frozen fish on one side
baked pita chips on the other

and then 
right then

those ferns

The other thing i noticed was empty pots. We are now in the middle of March and March is a moody month. But, the ferns are here and leading the way. Marigold, geranium, poppy, and so many more are following. In the meantime i'll enjoy the empty pots. They have a message too.

blank spaces

"I like the idea of blank spaces and that they get filled.  I also like blank spaces that are allowed to be.  Some kind of creative tension aries from nothingness." ~Sandra Geller

I agree, Sandra. There is a "time for everything." A time to fill blank spaces and a time to let them be. I do find that a "creative tension arises" during the "let them be" days.  Just showing up at the writing desk, the woods, or the easel, with no set agenda, and letting the open space "be" often leads to discovery. But the "showing up" is key. :)

This train of thought puts me in mind of the "first" creation......
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void..."

reveal or conceal?

"Surfaces simultaneously reveal and conceal."  John Paul Caponigro

To photograph truthfully and effectively is to see beneath the surfaces and record the qualities of nature and humanity which live or are latent in all things.   ~Ansel Adams

dappled things

and what he said
of dappled things

and the vast relief
that kneeling brings

kindled fresh

the flesh
of truth




"Glory be to God for dappled things-
  For skies of couple-colour as a branded cow;
  For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;"
                           ~From "A Pied Beauty" by Gerlad Manly Hopkins

"Color, texture, form and shape. All these things matter."  ~Thomas Howard

setting records

this is the year
of 
record 
snowfalls

five more inches and
boston will have surpassed
her all time high

and this totally out of man’s control

which puts me in mind 
of a friend
who suddenly lost the use of her legs

and another 
diagnosed with
cervical cancer

…the true record setters

carrying on
one tiny snowflake
at a time