Drifting, floating on the breeze,
Come to rest high in the trees.
Sitting soft, held aloft,
Among the gold, falling leaves,
Gentle gust; limp ribbon weaves.
Relief from grey; colours glow,
Sad to see them deflate, slow.
Once a joy filled play toy:
Red; yellow; pink; orange; green;
Rainbow hues can still be seen.
(c) Robert Jones 2013, All Rights Reserved
Cool winter’s Sunday morning, Flinders Street Railway Station facing St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, taken from Federation Square.
Intermittent showers on a Saturday morning in Williamstown provides a grey backdrop to moored yachts and Melbourne beyond.
The weak morning sunshine and a quiet spot in Melbourne Park, south east of Flinders Street Station provided the perfect place to escape the chilly Winter breeze.
While meditating the other day, my thoughts drifted to the things that connect us. The Earth, the Moon, the stars, the seas, air and fire. I was inspired to take photographs of a candle so that I could study the colours in and around the flame.
Thinking about the candle reminded me of the following lines from the 1983 song, “Papa, Can You Hear Me?” performed by Barbra Streisand for the movie Yentl.
May the light of this flickering candle
Illuminate the night the way
Your spirit illuminates my soul
30 years have passed since, on a sunny day in Blackpool, UK I bought the Yentl soundtrack on cassette tape. I find it fascinating that the image of something as simple as a candle flame has the power to transport me back in time, connect me with others across the globe and provide a link to the humans who have utilised fire for light, heat and worship across the centuries.
Papa, Can You Hear Me? was composed by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman.
I collected the cord from paper carrier and gift bags for a few years. As the collection grew larger and the cords got tangled up I extracted the ones made from natural fibre and discarded the rest. I never knew why I was collecting them, only that one day I would need them. I have been introduced to the world of knots by my dear friend Sue Vincent.
I was amazed to find that there is a language of knots. So if you’re at a loose end and fancy learning the difference between the ascending end, bight, clockwise loop and a pentaradial I suggest checking out the step by step guides available on YouTube. If you prefer an illustrated book I suggest Decorative Fusion Knots. To whet your appetite, section one is available to download in PDF at Decorative Fusion Knots.
The above is my first attempt at a double coin knot and a cloud knot.
Sprit’s free to wander?
Belief keeps order.
Mysteries to ponder?
Gravity keeps order.
Earthbound spirit, let go,
Seek out the blue yonder.
Ask or you’ll never know!
(c) Robert Jones 2013, All Rights Reserved
The theme of this month’s Bloggers for Peace post is art that demonstrates peace. Nothing sprang to mind so I decided I would create something. I have chosen an image of the Earth viewed from space to show peace at the macro level, without the Earth we would not exist.
Inspired by lines from the song The Windmills of your Mind, “and the world is like an apple whirling silently in space”, I chose an apple tree to represent peace at the micro level.
Without peace the eco system that the deciduous apple tree relies upon will be unbalanced. In addition to sunlight and warm temperatures the apple tree’s life cycle is dependent upon the four seasons and their varying climates.
During spring the apple tree sprouts new branches, foliage and blossom. Bees and insects are attracted by the flower’s nectar. They pollinate the flowers by transferring pollen to the stigmas of the blooms. Following pollination the apple tree’s production begins. Summer heralds the apple tree in full bloom followed by the development of the fruit. During this process, the tree also produces new growth for the next growing period.
Apples become fully ripe with complete colour in autumn. The fruit becomes too heavy for the branches and drops. Leaves change colour and fall and the tree sheds its old and weak branches and stems. The apple tree slumbers during the winter months.
From seed to the first fruit takes between 6 to 10 years, reflecting 6 to 10 years of peace. The benefits of peace are an annual harvest of apples and the growth of new trees to feed generations to come.
“Round like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning on an ever spinning reel”. Peace is demonstrated by the living art of nature.
Even changing the linens is now a chore
Due to ever increasing shadows
And mobility issues galore
Where once I moved with agility and grace
Now body movements are slow and thoughtfully paced
I will not name these age old developments
For to do so would just slow me more
The moral of this tale is clear —
Turn your back on Time
And hope He neglects to be near
theINFP 