"The sharp knife of a short life

I've had just enough time..."


- "If I Die Young" The Band Perry


I see Beauty in many things. And like the ghosts that only speak to you if you notice them, they tell me wondrous tales. With my camera and my thoughts, I captured these as faithfully as I can to share with you. And by doing so, they gave me the reasons. And though the thousand reasons may not all be sweet and some indeed bitter; they are still reasons to live. Come to think about it, that is Life, isn't it?

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Happy Valentine – With Orchids & How Do I Love Thee? – Part I


I've had just enough time...   to tell how much I love thee -


Valentine Day is just round the corner and if you asked me to choose a love poem, it has to be this one that I recited ten years ago to the farmers who gathered in the town hall of the small Australian town of Morawa. It was a freezing summer morning and I shivered nervously as I stumbled my way up the stage to stare at the weathered faces of rough, tough Australian farmers and their wives. They were firing up these huge electrical lanterns to generate some heat which I desperately needed. After the brief introduction, the silence was nerve racking as I cleared my dry throat to speak.


I regretted my quirky sense of humour and romance but it was too late to back off. In the radio interview the day before which was aired that morning, some of these farmers had already heard some of the good as well as not so flattering views I said about their wheat as they drove their combine harvester before the crack of dawn. They then drove down with their family to hear what else I have to say. I was on a tour of 5 Australian farming towns and this is the first stop. I don’t remember much of the content of speech but I remembered opening it with – “How Do I Love Thee?” followed by the rest of the poem. I must be mad.


Last Valentine, I shared the occasion with Desiderata, see link here– Happy Valentine - Saying it with Orchids & Desired Things. This Valentine, let me share “How Do I Love Thee” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning with you accompanied by my orchids in light and shadows. Joined me for Part II for what happened after the conclusion of that speech in Morawa.


How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 


I love thee to the depth and breadth and height


My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight 


For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. 


I love thee to the level of every day's 


Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. 


Check out Part II for the conclusion to the speech in Morawa and the rest of the "How Do I Love Thee?" poem on Valentine Day.



6 comments:

  1. bjebie, ineedathis, Geo_grafics, and 3 other people added this photo to their favorites.

    1000 Reasons - A bit slow, catching up...
    a1000reasons.blogspot.com/2014/02/happy-valentine-with-or...

    bjebie
    Thank you, Thou-San. Happy Valentine's Day to you! Your orchids are beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us.

    ineedathis
    I love the idea with your shadows, great shot my friend!

    Onasill
    Good use of the light and shadow Thou.

    henrhyde (gill)
    Grand details in this image

    The Visual Poet
    Excellent capture!

    Geo_grafics
    Your always such a wonderful pleasure my friend with all your creativity and outstanding look on life !!

    Claudia G. Kukulka
    Lovely with the inclusion of the photographer's shadow. :-)

    Chris*Bolton
    Lovely image and light

    ReplyDelete
  2. Onasill
    Well caught and framed. Impressive view.

    Geo_grafics
    We dig the shadow in the other one much better ;)
    This is some fantastic light !!

    Onasill
    Good light and details. Compliments

    Dahai Z
    Anyone would be happy with valentine like these!

    Geo_grafics
    And with such beautiful colors !!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful pictures #StunningCaptures! The story you have shared with these images is wonderful, Thank you so much for taking the time to share the link with me :)

    #VeryGrateful

    Please continue to drop by! I will be sure to explore your space some more..

    ML
    x

    ReplyDelete
  4. How do I like your ' Love ' post,let me count the ways ...
    Superb poem,brilliant jewel orchids,deep thoughts and noble feelings compose your Valentine's Day post ! It's so subleme Thou !!! And what a poem you have chosen to approach one of the most delicate feelings ... Who can live without love,Thou ? Can't imagine myself without loving and be loved ...
    Loved your post,dear friend Thou,loved the poem and the smiling orchids ...
    Doda

    ReplyDelete

  5. Rebecca Ang
    I read your reflections for this year's post and last year's post. To me this image with both strong light and strong shadow illustrates that love and the love journey is not just a bed of roses. You have bright and dark times. And your last year's reflections - one phrase "strive to be happy" - I like the use of the word "strive" because sometimes we assume that happiness just comes - it does not - we commit to and decide to be happy despite circumstances.

    Carl's Captures
    A unique and clever mix of tones, blooms and shadows! Artistically captured and meaningfully presented as always. Thank you for your visit. No I didn't make it to the Art and Drama spot in Hua Hin you mentioned. Perhaps on a future visit. My wife is Thai. Enjoy your Valentines Day!

    oola n
    this is my favorite of the photos... I love having YOUR shadow in there too

    BlueLunarRose
    Beautiful flowers with lovely shadows and lights, nice composition Thou!
    Have a wonderful day!

    Anselmo. Sousa
    Mais uma bonita fotografia, uma bela contribuição para embelezar o Flickr
    Parabéns. Tenha um fim de semana abençoado e um bom dia dos namorados…
    Desejo sincero deste seu Amigo… Obrigado por estar desse lado….
    ******************* PENSAMENTO DO DIA, PARA UM DIA MELHOR *******************

    ***"As zangas de namorados significam amores dobrados"***

    Dahai Z
    That's one way to take a selfie!

    dodagp
    Great duality Thou ! Love both portaits and your concept !

    Kathy_9
    Thank you and a belated Happy Valentine's Day to you. I love the selfie-shadow. ♥

    Yasmin de light
    Wonderfully creative selfie Thou. A perfect choice of poem too : )

    ReplyDelete

  6. Onasill 2 weeks ago | reply | delete
    Well caught and framed. Impressive view.

    Geo_grafics
    We dig the shadow in the other one much better ;)
    This is some fantastic light !!


    Onasill
    Good light and details. Compliments

    Dahai Z
    Anyone would be happy with valentine like these!

    Geo_grafics
    And with such beautiful colors !!

    oola n
    these are beautiful studies... and how perfect to present them with Browning...right here on Valentine's day...
    it is so moving...smilessssssssssss

    Onasill
    gorgeous in all aspects.

    Onasill
    Beautifully caught and and framed.

    ineedathis
    The exposure on this is superb!

    dodagp
    Happy Valentine's Day to U too,Thou ! What a delightful floral parade in your photostream !!! That's a brilliant orchid portrait suffused with light and happiness ❤❤❤


    Rebecca Ang
    Of all the descriptions, I think this one "I love thee to the level of every day's" resonates with me. The "every day" connotes the routine and the mundane. When excitement fades and things are no longer novel, love remains.

    Onasill
    A great series Thou

    Geo_grafics 1 week ago | reply | delete
    Lovely Valentines tribute !!

    oola n
    where did you find so many orchids? they are amazing... beautiful!!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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