Not much to say about Still Life, a simple watercolor study of fruit in a bowl. The bowl was, is, a wooden one we picked up somewhere and still resurfaces occasionally to hold fruit, or some other snack, or munchies. The fruit, delicious, the pear juicy – hmmm. More than a simple study after all, a memory, a taste of the past with promises of the future.
Siren of the sea,
Bewitching mistress
Ever she calls to me,
Grease tattooed,
callused, working hands, folded, peacefully.
My father’s hands.
Why must These tears fall,
crying, crying, into the night –
missing… missing… we have lost them,
lost them all.
Wheel of time,
you’ve hardly turned before they’re gone.
Turn back, turn back and restore,
restore to me mine!
I will hold you, hold you ever,
in thought, in prayer, in sighing breath,
my child, my sister, father, mother, brother, lover —
here, here in my heart living ever.
Here in my heart,
live forever.
Here…
And still I cry!
So much unfathomable loss, of youth, beauty, life…
By Johna Till Johnson
Maria Radner, 1981-Eternity
Among the victims of Germanwings Flight 9525 was Maria Radner, a German opera singer. She was a 33-year old contralto who specialized in Wagner. I hadn’t heard of her before—no surprise since I’m new to opera, and have yet to warm to Wagner’s music.
But a commentator on one of the news stories posted the video below. Maria Radner sings “Urlicht” (“Primeval Light”) from Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, the Resurrection Symphony.
It’s just under five minutes. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything quite so lovely. Looking into her serene blue-gray eyes and insouciant half smile, and listening to that soaring voice, all I can think of is that although a deranged man was able to take away her life, the beauty she brought into this world is immortal.
The lyrics translate as follows:
I am from God and want to return…
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Teas at the British Shoppe!
Cakes, scones, and pots of tea.
Gone to be no more.
Bought by one without intention,
in silly pretension devoured.
A tanka in honor of the Front Parlor Tea Room that was in the British Shoppe for many years. In addition to true afternoon teas in the Parlor the Shoppe carried teas, tea accessories, and hard to find English food items from bangers through Gentlemen’s Relish to vegemite. As with many unique businesses stamped with the personality of the original owners, well deserved retirement and a move to Florida marked the beginning of the end. Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea is a great source for tea, even a fresh cuppa… But it’s not the front parlor with friends.
Haiku Journey 