The moon

Source: Favim

The moon is a loyal companion.
It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human.

Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections. 

~ Tahereh Mafi

Possible Elegy

Credit: Alberto Nogueira Jr

Yo solo me embarqué.
¿Adónde llegaré?

Si el globo se perdiera,
caería. ¿En qué tierra?

Si el barco naufragara,
me hundiría. ¿En qué agua?

Yo solo me embarqué.
Nadie sabe por qué.

Pero yo sí lo sé!

-----------------------

(Translation)

Alone I sailed.
Where will I arrive?

If the hot air balloon were lost,
on what land would it fall?

If the ship were to wreck,
it would sink in what waters?

Alone I started.
No one knows why.

But, I, yes I, know!

~ José María Hinojosa
(translated from Spanish by Mark Statman)

Possible Elegy

Credit: Alberto Nogueira Jr

Yo solo me embarqué.
¿Adónde llegaré?

Si el globo se perdiera,
caería. ¿En qué tierra?

Si el barco naufragara,
me hundiría. ¿En qué agua?

Yo solo me embarqué.
Nadie sabe por qué.

Pero yo sí lo sé!

-----------------------

(Translation)

Alone I sailed.
Where will I arrive?

If the hot air balloon were lost,
on what land would it fall?

If the ship were to wreck,
it would sink in what waters?

Alone I started.
No one knows why.

But, I, yes I, know!

~ José María Hinojosa
(translated from Spanish by Mark Statman)

Quote on finding the way

Image by Miquel Àngel

When walking alone in a jungle of true darkness, there are three things that can show you the way: instinct to survive, the knowledge of navigation, creative imagination. Without them, you are lost.

~ Toba Beta

Quote on finding the way

Image by Miquel Àngel

When walking alone in a jungle of true darkness, there are three things that can show you the way: instinct to survive, the knowledge of navigation, creative imagination. Without them, you are lost.

~ Toba Beta

Quote on serenity

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God! O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions!

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Quote on serenity

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God! O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions!

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Travelling Alone

Source: Unknown/Favim

There are the creature comforts, of course:
warmth of an iced miniature of gin,
plastic cups filled with dark traces of tea.
They use up time, inner space. Some of it.

Then daydreams … the feeding on longing, memory.
Only in true sleep can you escape them.
Here, you welcome them, leave the door
half-open so they can pass in and out —
companionable, taxing, preoccupying.

You have put your things on the seat beside you,
stacked its emptiness with clutter.
Your hand comes to rest on a satchel
of poems, books — isolating, radial.

Time. As usual, it's passing. When
will you be there? Where? Numbness now.
All the distance you have travelled
swings on to your back as you prepare to leave.

The relief of earth again, every footfall
a mark on a map; the tension of creating
that map, not knowing. Then you give yourself
one moment: stand calmly, in possession,
on a small piece of time. Yourself alone.

~ Diane Fahey

Travelling Alone

Source: Unknown/Favim

There are the creature comforts, of course:
warmth of an iced miniature of gin,
plastic cups filled with dark traces of tea.
They use up time, inner space. Some of it.

Then daydreams … the feeding on longing, memory.
Only in true sleep can you escape them.
Here, you welcome them, leave the door
half-open so they can pass in and out —
companionable, taxing, preoccupying.

You have put your things on the seat beside you,
stacked its emptiness with clutter.
Your hand comes to rest on a satchel
of poems, books — isolating, radial.

Time. As usual, it's passing. When
will you be there? Where? Numbness now.
All the distance you have travelled
swings on to your back as you prepare to leave.

The relief of earth again, every footfall
a mark on a map; the tension of creating
that map, not knowing. Then you give yourself
one moment: stand calmly, in possession,
on a small piece of time. Yourself alone.

~ Diane Fahey