Both, my wife and myself are in the autumn of our life. We have been together for over a half century and when we try to retrieve a shared experience from the depths of that dark-blue pool, often one of us has only a vague recollection. We try to re-build that memory of a particular event, place, and time, but both of us know it will sink back down again to the bottom and eventually disappear like anything else in our universe.
I forgot to add in my comment that I have been following your essays for some time, i.e. in Scattering Blossoms, Fallen leaves, and even earlier in Tang Dynasty Times.
I have had a life long interest in (to use the title of Rick Fields Book) "How the Swans Came to the Lake".
I can't tell you how much this meant to me. I had received several rejections the day before yesterday --for both nonfiction (an essay) and fiction (short story), so was pretty down. But reading your generous words lifted my spirits so much. 'Only connect! " As EM Forster wrote.....! Thank you!!!!!
Yeah, love that word 木漏れ日。But I have my doubts about rendering 心づくし as sadness. It’s not necessarily that, nor is it only that. That said, I’m no poet.... :/
I feel like the part about being consumed is the main idea but it could’ve just been I feel overwhelmed by the coming of autumn. I think I actually like that better to be overwhelmed. XOXO
My dreams are often slippery in this same fashion, flickering in and out, intertwined with memories. Autumn is my favorite season. Beautiful, Leanne. ♥️
There is something poetic about dappled sunlight. The poet Robin Chapman and I explored this theme in our book 'Dappled Things' -- http://kamprint.com//dappled.html
Light spilling down filtered by the trees -- such a beautiful image and experience! I once spent an afternoon walking by myself through the heavily wooded area behind my cousin's house. The experience of dappled light was the magic of the walk. It was autumn and so many leaves had fallen. I still saw one that just "spoke" to me. Showing it to my cousin later, and telling her about my walk, she laughed, knowing exactly what I was talking about when I told her "I found a leaf!" Lol! Thanks for Ono no Komachi poem, Leanne!
Yes, I think memories are “slippery, like fish”.
Both, my wife and myself are in the autumn of our life. We have been together for over a half century and when we try to retrieve a shared experience from the depths of that dark-blue pool, often one of us has only a vague recollection. We try to re-build that memory of a particular event, place, and time, but both of us know it will sink back down again to the bottom and eventually disappear like anything else in our universe.
Thank you for your absolutely beautiful comment!
Thank you for your kind words.
I forgot to add in my comment that I have been following your essays for some time, i.e. in Scattering Blossoms, Fallen leaves, and even earlier in Tang Dynasty Times.
I have had a life long interest in (to use the title of Rick Fields Book) "How the Swans Came to the Lake".
I can't tell you how much this meant to me. I had received several rejections the day before yesterday --for both nonfiction (an essay) and fiction (short story), so was pretty down. But reading your generous words lifted my spirits so much. 'Only connect! " As EM Forster wrote.....! Thank you!!!!!
Light filtered through trees is one of my favourite experiences. Dappled sunshine in a heavily scented earthy forest or wood, what could be better?
What could be better indeed? Thank you so much for the comment and for reading!!!
Yeah, love that word 木漏れ日。But I have my doubts about rendering 心づくし as sadness. It’s not necessarily that, nor is it only that. That said, I’m no poet.... :/
I feel like the part about being consumed is the main idea but it could’ve just been I feel overwhelmed by the coming of autumn. I think I actually like that better to be overwhelmed. XOXO
Yeah, that's more like it. Not sure how to fit that in poetically, though. Overwhelmed or overcome by emotion. 気持ちいい悲しさ。
Somehow Ono no Komachi is a good fit for you in my imagination. You in your kimono when Kazy was little.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My dreams are often slippery in this same fashion, flickering in and out, intertwined with memories. Autumn is my favorite season. Beautiful, Leanne. ♥️
Thank you for reading and commenting!!!!! This is your favorite season, I know!! xoxo
There is something poetic about dappled sunlight. The poet Robin Chapman and I explored this theme in our book 'Dappled Things' -- http://kamprint.com//dappled.html
Peter The book looks absolutely gorgeous! And I’ve always thought your photographs evoke 幽玄 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you so much for reading this one!
Light spilling down filtered by the trees -- such a beautiful image and experience! I once spent an afternoon walking by myself through the heavily wooded area behind my cousin's house. The experience of dappled light was the magic of the walk. It was autumn and so many leaves had fallen. I still saw one that just "spoke" to me. Showing it to my cousin later, and telling her about my walk, she laughed, knowing exactly what I was talking about when I told her "I found a leaf!" Lol! Thanks for Ono no Komachi poem, Leanne!
That is lovely!!! And you reminded me that the poem is an autumn poem--just like your magical walk!