Facing the Sun

"Bring me the sunflower crazed with the love of light."  -Eugenio Montale

I have been reading some poetry by the Italian poet, Eugenio Montale (1896-1981). He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1975.  Here is one of my favorite translations of his sunflower poem. The above quote is translated in a different way: The Sunflower .

The Petal

The flora and fauna at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville is incredible.  I had a blast taking pictures while I was there a few weeks ago, and this one is my favorite. I love the lines and curves in this flower and its simplicity.

Sunflower Rising

Sunflowers are the flowers of giants - they demand attention.  I took these photos at a farm the other day.  I was on my way home and was caught by the light and shadows reflected off the bright yellow petals and the dark green leaves.


Ah, Sunflower
by William Blake
(1757-1827)

---

Ah, sunflower, weary of time,
     Who countest the steps of the sun;
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
     Where the traveller's journey is done;
Where the Youth pined away with desire,
     And the pale virgin shrouded in snow,
Arise from their graves, and aspire
     Where my Sunflower wishes to go! 

May It Be

Where the Sun Rises First

Tousled Petals

summer wind

tousled petals

breathing free

Top 30 Summer Songs of All Time

Green Parasol

When I saw this plant, I couldn't resist snapping a photo.   This lucky flower not only had a parasol, it had its feet in the water.  Usually when we think of flowers, the leaves are overshadowed by delicate and/or elaborate blooms.  However, in this case, it was the complete opposite.

"And it is summer, glorious, deep-toned summer, the very crown of nature's changing year when all her surging life is at its full."  from Summer by Amy Lowell (1912)

Expression in a Stalk

loop

This is a a picture of a flower in my back yard.  Its stalk was green in the summer and its flower yellow.  I like the expression it portrays and for some reason, how it reminds me of the woods. Maybe it's the brown in the stalk.  It also reminds me of a dancer and the movement of ideas. There's a song by Nickel Creek called Out of the Woods.  It's a love song, but when I listen to it, I like to think it's for all those creative desires in my heart waiting to be exposed and explored.

Here's the song for those of you who want to listen:  Out of the Woods   

As Winter Comes

remembrance

When days are cold 

and my petals have fallen,

remember me as I once was

with my color, 

with my fragrance.

And dream 

that I will bloom 

again.

Waiting to Fly

milkweed

I was taking a walk and this flash of white caught my eye.  It is the silky, white filament of the milkweed plant.  Once the filaments dry out, the seed pods will "fly" away.

Left Behind

Sometimes, it is the smallest things that leave the biggest impression.

A Closer Look

GREEN

http://www.ca.uky.edu/arboretum/

Nature has always fascinated me in that it provides a myriad of opportunities for us to explore and experience the world around us.  The arboretum at the University of Kentucky has developed into a sanctuary filled with trees, plants, and flowers, and was the perfect place for me to take pictures using my new lens.  These photos were taken on October 30 sometime in the late afternoon.

WHITE

YELLOW

RED