tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post4177544073779012084..comments2023-12-27T22:26:20.552-05:00Comments on synch-ro-ni-zing: Lake Michigan: lines and curves, with Beat poet William EversonRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-70176480494023174042011-11-11T11:34:52.722-05:002011-11-11T11:34:52.722-05:00Ruth, this is exquisite in a dozen ways -- your fi...Ruth, this is exquisite in a dozen ways -- your fine introductory comments, Everson's poem, your beach in winter photos, the quotes from Everson's prose ... Now I remember him. I attended Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington for my consecutive years of schooling, and my poetry prof was seeped in poets of the Northwest. It's how I got to love Roethke, and I recall him reading some of Everson's poems, as well as William Stafford. The line from "San Joaquin" that soars is "The nerve that is dying needs thunder to rouse it" and contrasts so wildly with the next line, "I in the vineyard, in green-time and dead-time, come to it dearly," which makes me think of slow monastic life. Did you know there is a monestery in Three Rivers, Michigan? My father made several retreats there and I went along once. The world-deep silence of those who had taken that vow was as strong as the scent of incense in the chapel where I attended matins and vespers ... Those beach images are stunning, so full of the rural roundness of the heart ... I absolutely loved Everson's observation on Emily Dickenson that she "wasn't mad, because she possessed her vocation": reminds me of Jung's distinction between James Joyce and his made daughter Lucia, where the former dove to where the latter drowned ... The last two images in this post are absolute postcards ... how I love the beach in winter .. <em>Dark God of Eros</em> is now on my list -- Thanks so much for this gift! I feel like last night's moonlight somehow gave birth to this. Such is life in the quantum blue! - BrendanBrendanhttp://blueoran.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-71262833420697913722010-12-30T23:52:56.973-05:002010-12-30T23:52:56.973-05:00Your words and pictures are truly beautiful. I wi...Your words and pictures are truly beautiful. I wish that people who are not interested in nature and the environment would read your blog and look at your photos so they could appreciate the beauty of our planet. Alas they will not and I am afraid for the future of nature. I just heard that a highway is planned through the Serengeti which will destroy 75% of wildlife and stop the great migration. This road is needed to get easily to the material needed for cell phones, I do not see this on the front pages of newspapers and I worry.Vagabondehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10774109692564954568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-25057735249141041272010-12-30T19:53:37.315-05:002010-12-30T19:53:37.315-05:00Can a person have Stendhal syndrome from a blog po...Can a person have Stendhal syndrome from a blog post?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15924061349390319473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-5063231244403674282010-12-30T16:23:53.076-05:002010-12-30T16:23:53.076-05:00What a splendid post! Thanks for the imagery both ...What a splendid post! Thanks for the imagery both of camera and of imagination.Paulinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14555472024981357622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-76046072285835614592010-12-30T12:04:54.154-05:002010-12-30T12:04:54.154-05:00Oh, my. It looks so cold. I can't imagine. Bea...Oh, my. It looks so cold. I can't imagine. Beautiful photos.Bella Rumhttp://culdesacchronicles.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-34917096899170627722010-12-29T19:02:19.306-05:002010-12-29T19:02:19.306-05:00So beautiful and no wonder the great lakes are cal...So beautiful and no wonder the great lakes are called another ocean...<br /><br />This was a wonderful post Ruth, I enjoyed it. And I was cozy the whole time reading it and seeing the icy cold images.sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03307968128182359860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-25218610863096907862010-12-29T14:50:33.456-05:002010-12-29T14:50:33.456-05:00You have captured again with such elegance and gra...You have captured again with such elegance and grace the beauty and complexity of our world - and how those who understand it can so eloquently communicate that. I am unfamiliar with Everson and look forward to learning more about him.<br /><br />Sending you warm post holiday wishes. You know -- I know this part of our state -- its west shore -- is so dazzling regardless of season. But by introducing it to the many who read your work -- well, it just makes me feel good to know they are seeing the Michigan we see -- not the empty factories and desolate cities. It is beautiful -- and no one captures it better.Jeaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-64894776335289050542010-12-28T21:41:26.402-05:002010-12-28T21:41:26.402-05:00first thing that crossed my mind was Benoit Mandel...first thing that crossed my mind was Benoit Mandelbrot. Very stunning designs of nature, hidden from the common eye, only you can see it Ruth.raufhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14069291890495563749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-54478911895150394952010-12-28T19:06:49.539-05:002010-12-28T19:06:49.539-05:00Your images of water sand, and rock in all their d...Your images of water sand, and rock in all their different forms is a lovely photo essay. Sometimes, focusing on the particular gives a new perspective. Happy New Year, Ruth.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04984171407726520584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-62513736875003791762010-12-28T11:54:17.246-05:002010-12-28T11:54:17.246-05:00I was totally unaware of Everson as a Beat until y...I was totally unaware of Everson as a Beat until your essay. Thank you. And the photos, the photos, the photos....Loring Wirbelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11764834150305763077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-83188597725215201042010-12-28T10:27:21.673-05:002010-12-28T10:27:21.673-05:00So beautiful photos of winter, Ruth! Lovely words ...So beautiful photos of winter, Ruth! Lovely words too!<br /><br />Happy New Year!<br />Feliz Ano Novo!sonia a. mascarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02415359150944729620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-4093530202636000692010-12-28T08:42:18.039-05:002010-12-28T08:42:18.039-05:00The quote Ginne uses up above is lovely. Have bee...The quote Ginne uses up above is lovely. Have been thinking about Emerson these past few days and what an extra struggle he had in his life. To have to make a choice between two such things one feels strongly about, I can't imagine. It is too bad the Catholic Church does not allow priests to marry. It is after all, a discipline, not a doctrine. I won't debate it over the blogosphere and I guess you feel the same, but I have come to a point in my life where I don't follow blindly in religious matters anymore. I admit, I have limited knowledge of religious matters, but I do investigate and question and have to, in the end, go with what my reasoning. And I am open to other views and don't expect everyone to believe my views. With all that said, I am Catholic (I have been told by some that I am not ... Gotta love it) but as long as I can search my heart and know I have done my best to follow my conscience, not what others think I should do, then that is the best I can do. <br /><br />I will have to get my hands on a copy of Emerson's work. Do you know there was a time (maybe 8 years ago or so) I would have been afraid to read his work. My previous comment about his vows was just wondering why, if he had such strong feelings for the woman, he took the vows. But I have a feeling it was quite complicated. <br /><br />Will commented below on your "poetic avalanche" ... My interpretation was a bit like Will's - I found an undercurrent that wasn't so warm and fuzzy. A facade so to speak, that the joyous season doesn't stay with us and extend out into the far corners of world like it really is meant to.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00007201357693227614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-53823208154517502922010-12-28T05:18:37.979-05:002010-12-28T05:18:37.979-05:00Boots, I thought those feathers told quite a story...<b>Boots</b>, I thought those feathers told quite a story. <br /><br />Everson's whole chapter of meditations on identity is replete with that sort of quiet wisdom that comes from experience. Contemplating Nature daily is one way to let the win-lose structure of Society slip on by.<br /><br />Thank you, Boots.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-33872662996113787682010-12-28T05:14:09.365-05:002010-12-28T05:14:09.365-05:00Amy, it is a good day when I've fed another so...<b>Amy</b>, it is a good day when I've fed another soul. Thank you for your kind visit.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-39492415534928959972010-12-28T05:08:25.845-05:002010-12-28T05:08:25.845-05:00Hello, Priya. Yes, the D40 and I go back a ways, b...Hello, <b>Priya</b>. Yes, the D40 and I go back a ways, but I am afraid I use her mostly as a point-and-shoot, so I feel a bit sheepish. My friend George is a true photographer. Thank you for your kind visit.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-54090811656080682342010-12-28T05:06:41.250-05:002010-12-28T05:06:41.250-05:00Julie, thank you for visiting Michigan through my ...<b>Julie</b>, thank you for visiting Michigan through my post. I hope you are enjoying your wintry Netherlands.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-40447336364038327182010-12-28T05:05:21.975-05:002010-12-28T05:05:21.975-05:00Oliag, you and I share so much . . . finding what ...<b>Oliag</b>, you and I share so much . . . finding what is beautiful in ordinary things, and finding ordinary things beautiful, and appreciating restraint. It's lovely to share these things with you, knowing our hearts hum in the same key.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-5737102903540348262010-12-28T05:00:03.132-05:002010-12-28T05:00:03.132-05:00Oh, you've paid me a grand visit, thank you.
...<b>Oh</b>, you've paid me a grand visit, thank you.<br /><br />Yes, all that ice and sand created little universes that I could only begin to explore, as I was daunted by the cold.<br /><br />Don't feel bad not knowing Everson. Not many are familiar, I find. I was lucky that a friend gave me <i>Birth of a Poet</i> when I first started writing. He also used the same press as my poetry mentor: Black Sparrow Press (also Charles Bukowski's), which is now defunct, sadly. I'm glad you like the poem too, and yes, that is a great line.<br /><br />Your New York Christmas was tantalizing and has prepared me for a couple of days in the Windy City with just the right anticipation.<br /><br />The book of Dylan Thomas' that you mentioned is fresh on my mind, after Garrison Keillor quoted from it Christmas week. I was so taken with the language, humor and point of view! I haven't read anything so delightful in a very long time. Then I remembered that I have that volume, another book gift from a friend, and I looked high and low for it and have not found it yet. :( I wonder if it's in a Christmas tub . . .Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-7661742085524283042010-12-28T04:38:26.296-05:002010-12-28T04:38:26.296-05:00Dutchbaby, thank you so much. There were so many i...<b>Dutchbaby</b>, thank you so much. There were so many interesting beach sculptures that if it weren't for the cold I would have tried to capture more. The ones you like were shot in a small radius the size of your dining room. The last two were my view after the long walk through the Hoffmaster woods, my legs and hips aching from the ups and downs and slippery slopes, and coming up over the dune . . . there was the lake, and the sun reflecting warmly.<br /><br />"Muir meets Ginsberg" . . .yes. I envy you your locale, though I love Michigan. My hikes in northern California and southern Oregon told me enough to know why Everson loved the Pacific northwest.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-50778496843321588582010-12-28T04:30:42.471-05:002010-12-28T04:30:42.471-05:00Thank you, Terresa. I do enjoy winter solitary, wi...Thank you, <b>Terresa</b>. I do enjoy winter solitary, with an occasional romp in the snow with loved ones.<br /><br />I hope you are enjoying wonderful times with your family.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-26102124367211265832010-12-28T04:28:37.132-05:002010-12-28T04:28:37.132-05:00Gwen, thank you . . . and the truth is, you bring ...<b>Gwen</b>, thank you . . . and the truth is, you bring beauty with you.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-24022671511863074242010-12-28T03:12:22.435-05:002010-12-28T03:12:22.435-05:00This trip must have been Thanksgiving and Christma...This trip must have been Thanksgiving and Christmas all wrapped up in one, Sister. I can just see you with your camera, in awe...and capturing it. I loved the feathers, too, but all the images are of another world...one we don't see often enough. <br /><br />I read this Emerson quote, “When your whole life is structured around winning and losing as key to identity it becomes, literally, a crucifixion,” and thought, how very true. When will we ever learn to just be human...like Mother Nature is!Ginnie Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-18249638941499626542010-12-28T01:29:26.595-05:002010-12-28T01:29:26.595-05:00This takes my breath away, Ruth. Colour, words, c...This takes my breath away, Ruth. Colour, words, character, cold, contrasts...<br /><br />Thank you for feeding me today!Amy @ Soul Dipperhttp://souldipper.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-57495668634304021612010-12-28T00:42:47.999-05:002010-12-28T00:42:47.999-05:00Ah! Now I know how and why your posts have such ex...Ah! Now I know how and why your posts have such expressive images! It has to be your interest in photography (your previous blog) and your D40! Lovely views and beautiful words and images, as always, Ruth!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21312708.post-51939458265801860102010-12-27T18:43:17.248-05:002010-12-27T18:43:17.248-05:00Ruth , I love that last picture of Lake Michigan, ...Ruth , I love that last picture of Lake Michigan, thats how I of think of it. Thanks for posting. Julie in Holland ...Julie B. [Holland]https://www.blogger.com/profile/11974062033692887509noreply@blogger.com