Disturbed

by Ebb Then Flood

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‘Disturbed’ 

On the surface of things, it’s a tranquil scene of coastal New Zealand.

Nothing disturbing, but something is disturbed.

The high winds and hard rain blew through here only minutes ago.

In the distance, there is a thick haze.

It is neither fog nor smoke.

The sand off the dunes and sandspit has been temporarily displaced into the air.

What was on the ground is now airborne.

There are those moments in our lives too, when havoc wreaks and major disturbance occurs.

When everything is up in the air.

It’s uncomfortable for sure.

But when you are in that space there is, if nothing else, the chance to see things from another, different, perspective.

And sometimes after the chaos, there will be a sense of tranquility.

If you are in “the churn”, I hope you find that, I really do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To The Island In The Light

by Ebb Then Flood

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‘To The Island In the Light’

Islands hold a special fascination for me.

There is something about there compactness, their isolation, their very apartness – that draws me like a magnet.

“Why should islands exert such an exceptional appeal? Why should so proportionately a small area of the earth loom so large in our awareness? What is the secret of the special excitement generated when people are isolated and surrounded by water?”

                          – John S. Bowman, ‘A Book Of Islands’

I have no real answers to the above questions, but I post this photo of craggy Taranga Island, in New Zealand’s Bream Bay, rising from the sea and bathed in light, as some sort of response to them.

In my mind, I go to the island in the light…

White Rose Purity

by Ebb Then Flood

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‘White Rose Purity’ 

I know what a white rose is supposed to symbolise, but purity would have to be the most elusive human quality of them all. It is certainly aspirational though.

The white rose also means ‘new beginnings’. That might be a bit more relatable, given that our lives are a succession of endings and fresh starts, whether we plan them or not.

So then, take your pick – just don’t get pricked…

Painted In Memory

by Ebb Then Flood

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‘Painted In Memory’

This is a vista of Mangawhai Heads in New Zealand’s Northland, shot in the falling afternoon today but painted with the memories of our stays here over twenty years.

So many good times!

This view, from the deck of the place we stay, never seems to change, even if we have changed and continue to change over time.

It is a restful anchor for weary souls.

Sublime and serene!

 

 

 

 

Station To Station

by Ebb Then Flood

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‘Station To Station’

Auckland’s Britomart Train Station is relatively new and has a sorta alien spaceship, futuristic feel going on.

All the more reason to crib the title of David Bowie’s 1976 song and album as a small homage to that great musical voyager.

His music took me to a few unknown places in my youth.

Youtube link to the song below, if you care for an interesting sonic side trip…