drained
drained
the important things
are receded now
and you need them
more than ever now
to show you how
to be
Month: February 2020
A Gift Of Figs
From the ” you don’t know what you don’t know ” department:
Three fresh figs ( there’s a wee tongue twister for you) were placed on my work desk this morning by the eccentric but generous woman who visits, and tries to sell all sorts of stuff to, the locals at the marae.
I looked up and had no idea what they were initially, until she told me. I had only seen them in dried form previously.
They look cool, and a little alien, but I haven’t eaten one yet.
Maybe I just want the mystery and kindness of the random gift to continue a little longer…
500
I suppose it is some sort of milestone – five hundred posts on Ebb Then Flood; heaps of my words and pictures at any rate.
I firmly believe in milestones – markers of time and achievement – even if only I note them.
Today, however I thought I’d share the number that WordPress’s stats counter threw up.
As a number it’s all a bit arbitrary in terms of whether this thing is worthwhile.
You can be the judge of that.
But I do know that I am really glad I kicked this project off sixteen months ago, for so many reasons, not least in rekindling a long dormant creative sense and finding an anchor for the random thoughts that swirl in my head.
Nice to pause and mark a moment…
Lastly, if you have tuned in along the way, and maybe found something on your wavelength, I am truly grateful – thank you!
The Strong One
‘The Strong One’
” ‘Cause isn’t it hard
to be the one who gathers everybody’s tears
isn’t it hard
to be the strong one “
– ‘ The Strong One’, Bruce Cockburn
Some ruminations:
As to the photo image – the Stonehenge-like sculpture blends almost with the background of trees.
Truly strong people are sometimes unnoticeable.
They are always there – for others, to gather their tears (as Cockburn’s beautiful lyric states); constant and loyal.
Some mistake displays of dynamism, power and muscle-flexing for strong character.
The true strong ones of our world carry burdens without reward and recognition.
Maybe you are one of those that others rely on.
It is hard, to be the strong one.
Take time to take care of yourself too…
Green Grow The Rushes
” I’ll sing you one, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What is your one, O?
One is one and all alone
And evermore shall be so.”
– ‘ Green Grow The Rushes, O ‘ ( trad. English folk song )
Bricks And Flowers
Window Boxes, Edinburgh October 2019
Wet Welcome
Following on from the sprinkling I got and mentioned in the previous post Hollyhock, things got a whole lot wetter at the bowls tournament venue today.
Lawn bowls, it may surprise, is not an underwater sport.
But rain it did today in Auckland, right on cue for my biggest bowls day of the year.
After 45 days or so without rain.
It was a deluge at times, rendering the greens unplayable.
A drought breaker.
A wet welcome…
Hollyhock
I went up to my lawn bowls club a few hours ago.
I needed a last minute practice ahead of one of the biggest events on the Auckland bowls calendar – the men’s singles championship.
However, I was thwarted in my attempt to practice when the automatic spinkler system came on by surprise. F**k! Got a bit damp…
Dragging my bowls bag out of a potential soaking, I admired and photographed this hollyhock, with its splendid crimson tones, in the late afternoon sun. The time wasn’t completely wasted then.
I will be hope to blossom in the tournament tomorrow, as opposed to bleeding blood red…
Sea Pointer/ Far Shore
I have been here before ( see Battered Protector ).
A different depth of field to the picture this time around, and so too another thought perspective.
The far shore of this arm of the sea is now visible in the distance.
The dagger-like groyne protrudes into the water and points to a spot on the horizon.
It is a affirmation of sorts, giving direction to destination:
” You can get there from here . I will show you the way.”
On Calton Hill
Calton Hill, Edinburgh October 2019
The Very Necessary Narrow View
Window, Tower of London October 2019
We all want to be seen to be broad minded and to be the one to take the wider perspective.
This shot of a window in the Tower of London (a prison to many unfortunates centuries ago) gives a little lie to that virtue.
For there is a time to take the narrow view.
When it is the only view.
When you are in darkness, or a jail of circumstances beyond your control.
Then the sliver of light and the merest glimpse of the exterior is enough to give hope.
Some small positivity, manageable to a damaged spirit.
The whole luminescent world of possibility is too much to contemplate in that grim time.
If you are there, as I have undoubtedly been, it’s okay to do only what you can and take the narrow view…
No Leaves Left
Little Endings
Dusk on the Tamaki River’s shore at low tide.
The day is fading; the water is receding.
Life is a succession of little endings.
The passing of one thing gives way to the coming of the new.
For there is no beginning without an end, as I am reminded by this gorgeous scene.
Fog Inside My Head
I can remember where I took this picture.
It was in the hill country just north of Taumaranui in the central North Island, at a highway rest stop.
I can describe the weather.
There was a fog, like smoke, opaque and wispy at turns, drifting through the pines and scrub, leaving all damp to the touch.
But I truly know what fog feels like.
For it was in my head, in a troubled time, when there was no clarity and no respite and for a brief period, no hope.
And even though I have climbed out of the worst of it, there are still moments, small intervals, when the fog returns from banishment.
Very frustratingly, I might add.
Then I remember that the fog must lift, and the sun come through, as it did a only a few minutes down the road…
Early Morning Anzac Ave
“Early Morning Anzac Ave”
…the early morning sun hits the façades of the buildings halfway between the train terminal and the work that awaits me – it cheers me up to see the illumination – I hope for similar inspiration and clarity…
Branches
‘Branches’
Branches.
They have spread and influence.
This picture is only of branches.
No trunk or visible roots.
A friend and former legal colleague of mine was announced as a judge recently and will take her place on the bench (in court, that is) soon.
It’s a position with spread and influence for sure, imbued with all the decision making powers that can right wrongs and change lives.
But it can be lonely at the top of the legal tree.
Lonely anywhere at the top, really.
I suppose that any time we get to rarified, or even isolated, places, it is crucial to remember your trunk and your roots.
The sort of life experiences and foundations that took you to where you are now.
In the soon-to-be judge’s case that will include all the clients she battled hard for in difficult situations, who will be looking back at her in the faces of those she must now make decisions for and about.
You will hopefully have your own trunk and roots system to sustain you and call upon, as you spread out and upwards, or merely when you find yourself alone.
Touch wood…
Doors Closed, Eyes Open
“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us”
– Alexander Graham Bell
The first part of this quote is almost a cliché.
It is, fortunately for us, very often true.
The second part is a wisdom to bear in mind though.
I can personally attest to lingering at closed doors ,thus missing out on openings, but I have learnt over time to quickly look elsewhere when something just isn’t to be .
The photo is of some of the most impressive doors in my bag of pictures, just to remind myself that a beautiful closed door is still just a closed door…
The Behemoth vs The Indomitables
Charleston, South Carolina April 2017
No, not another Marvel sci-fi box office thriller.
However, the scene is ever so quietly gripping…
A southern river scape :
One mighty, fully laden, container ship, ploughs the shipping channel sea bound and looms large against the horizon.
Meanwhile, unperturbed by the floating behemoth, a group of sizable armour plated horseshoe crabs, prehistoric survivors, make their presence known on the muddy shore.
A contest of heavyweight champions!
I make it an honourable draw…
Love And Windows
” If the house of the world is dark, love will find a way to make windows.”
– Rumi
Waiting For Your Company
Chairs on a porch, Charleston,SC April 2017
Ebb Then Flood 