In darkening horizons
I hear your furtive call
Star-sprinkling with delight,
"There is no other way
To heaven but through love—
No faster way to hell
Than fearing love is lost."
–okei
Photo: "Nasturtium", detail from a painting by Levi Wells Prentice
Very nice Okei. You're a real Romantic.
ReplyDelete:) I'm both a romantic, and a Romantic.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've come to discover these past two years, perhaps a Symbolist too, like Odilon Redon, the painter of my avatar. I certainly have an affinity with that end of 19th century period of art and literature.
Yes, I thought you were, and there is nothing wrong with that. I know nothing about Odilon Redon, now you have me curious. Curious enough to look him up and learn more. We just keep learning, don't we? :)
ReplyDeleteThe symbolism link sums up symbolism pretty nicely:
ReplyDelete"Symbolism originated in France, and was part of a 19th-century movement in which art became infused with mysticism. French Symbolism was both a continuation of the Romantic tradition and a reaction to the realistic approach of impressionism. It served as a catalyst in the outgrowth of the darker sides of Romanticism and toward abstraction."
Like a Jungian descent into the subconscious... I am drawn to this as ideal and idea. :)
But any such descent carries a risk. Symbolism could easily get sucked into its "dark side", so I think one must be vigilant against that.
I don't know much about Redon's life, and his art is just very strange, but what struck me in particular is how he spent his whole life painting in black and white. And only in old age did he feel ready to embrace colour! But this meant he had a great sensitivity for shades... lol.
ReplyDeleteIt was really coincidental because I came across a book of his art in my father's library a few weeks back!
Perhaps his spirit haunts this site, without my having realized it. :) I guess his painting is on every page after all...
Thanks for the additional information Okei, Very interesting. I admit I know nothing abut either subject symbolism or Redon. I will take a look.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Love is heaven and hell... One step from heaven to hell
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely poem okei! Xxx
Thank you for reading, and reminding. Much metta!
ReplyDeleteI carry a torch in one hand
And a bucket of water in the other:
With these things I am going to set fire to Heaven
And put out the flames of Hell
So that voyagers to God can rip the veils
And see the real goal.
—Rabia (8th century)