sometimes we can be so alone.
so on our own.
even strangers seem like friends.
pierre bonnard landing stage
"everybody else seemed to have people to see them off. so i went back on shore and found a dirty little boy who was unoccupied, and said his name was william. "will you wave to me if i give you sixpence, william?" i said. "why yes," said william. so i gave him sixpence and went back on board.
and when the time came he leaned over his railing on the landing stage, and waved. and now and then he shouted indistinct messages in a shrill voice. and as we slid away , the last object i looked at was a small dot waving a white handkerchief, or nearly white, faithfully."
rupert brooke memoir
20 comments:
The impressionist painting, the scene at the dock, you selected a fine one and got me with this one. Rupert Brooke's perspective is appealing.
Loneliness and solitude - so close to each other in theory, but so different in practice...
I can't decide if this is happy or sad, it is certainly very moving, even more so because of the history of the writer.
Best wishes for the full recovery of your student teacher.
Hi Steven
How sad to have to purchase a friend to wave you off...how sad not to feel comfortable on his own...
Happy days
Helo Steven,just a greeting and a small something from a great person,to another great person,you!
Listen!
*********************
MY EYES SO SOFT
Don't
Surrender
Your loneliness so quickly.
Let it cut more
Deep.
Let it ferment and season you
As few human
Or even divine ingredients can.
Something missing in my heart tonight
Has made my eyes so soft,
My voice so
Tender,
My need of God
Absolutely
Clear.
Hafiz
**************
Aleksandra
Wonderful story Steven. It reminds me of a passage in a book I'm reading (Awake by Robert J. Sawyer)
He was in Japan listening to an American Professor lecturing, the speech being translated into Japanese.
At one point the Professor tells a joke whose meaning would be lost in translation and he wonders what the translator will do with it.
Without missing a beat the translator informs the audience that the Professor has made a joke and it would be polite if the audience laughed.
Which they do to the professors great delight.
Sixpence for a farewell. It seems very sad, Steven. Thanks.
hello jack - a pleasure to meet you! thanks for your comment. i really admire brooke's writing. alongside henry williamson he would be one of my favourite authors of that period. steven
jinksy you're absolutely on the button. it's all about your intention. have a peaceful day. steven
valerie - when i assembled this piece i was in a similarly mixed frame of feeling. steven
I read your posts "backwards" the other day, commenting before I realized what had happened to the student teacher.
So I'm sending belated good wishes for better health...for him and those who care about him.
hello golden - thankyou. he is progressing well - still critical but he is responding to sound stimulus and has limited movement in all four limbs. he is off life support which is also really promising. steven
delwyn - truly sad. but then i would examine his makeup. perhaps that is a choice or a situation of his own creation or even liking . . . . steven
Steven this was lovely on so many levels .... enjoy your weekend!
hi aleks, thanks for the affirming hafiz writing!!! wow. steven
barry now that's a funny story - perfect!!! thankyou. steven
elisabeth - sad in some ways. mmm hmmm. steven
hello hope and thankyou very much for your care and kindness. steven
helen i am glad you were able to visit and enjoy your stay. thanks and have a nice weekend yourself!! steven
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