AP photos on Flickr

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD by Zen Beyond the LenZ

668 164

“In making even horizontal and clear inspections we colour and mould according to the wants within us whatever our eyes bring in.”

- Thomas Hardy, Far from the Madding Crowd

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=8xg3vE8Ie_E

LOVE STORY – TAYLOR SWIFT

My father was a boxer

but that's not all he was at all

My mother was a nurse

but that did not define her or prevent her fall

they met under extraordinary circumstances

but they were far from ordinary

they died too soon and suddenly

my life became extraordinary

is it beyond all comprehension do you suppose

that I was once a Princess in a far-off land

and now I try to be ordinary

so that I will not stand out from the crowd; I stand

still like a wallflower yet shining bright

when my back is to the wall

my father's blood will stand and fight

watching the fading passers-by

eyes narrowed to the sun

dreaming of flying and wondering why

or how this life of mine had first begun

and now I am here in this beautiful place

Far from the Madding Crowd

Thomas Hardy book in hand

reciting passages aloud.

BEYOND THE OBSERVABLE UNIVERSE ... by Zen Beyond the LenZ

562 108

“Yellow is synonymous with you

I cannot see anything yellow without thinking of you

and the daffodils are blooming despite the stormy weather

and the rain reminds me of you too … “ - AP

In memory of my friend …

Mon cher ami, please let me know what you see beyond the observable universe …

“Beyond the observable universe is something wonderful …

Simply é and much more … “ - Ciprian

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3TvXZtXtu8

The Bridges of Madison County – Standing in the Rain

The greatest influence on our lives

at the time is not always known

but looking back I see the truth of it

now the most beautiful of us has flown

we didn't always see eye to eye

but made our peace and recognised something more than love

so gentle and so fragile; mutually in sync

a poet and another poet flying high above

you hid your deepest secret very well

I did not guess and that was your intention

you knew my heart would break and I would fall

but don't you know you made me strong; did I forget to mention

some of all the poetry we shared

the thoughts; the impossible maths that disappeared

into the ether long ago before we reconciled

and only fragments of the fire remain to whisper in our ears

to infinity and far beyond we said ...

I look up at the newest, brightest star

and everything I feel is still remembered

will last the distance no matter how near or far

Remember, mon cher, the words I wrote to you

they are imprinted on my soul forever

you reached out and touched my life in ways I cannot still explain

you are irreplaceable; you know that I will never

forget the codes and seemingly nonsensical ways of our communication

to anyone else that saw it; must have thought

who are these two; these poets; who do they think they are

but it does not matter; all that matters was that you taught

to look beyond the ordinary everyday things of our existence

to reach for stars into infinité

I am risen up to be a better person; little é and much more

you are infinite, mon cher ami …

SOMEONE TO FLY WITH by Zen Beyond the LenZ

611 154

“Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity. Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind.”

- Marcus Tullius Cicero

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbFu_wkflpI

HIGH FIDELITY – KIDS FROM FAME

I met a man upon a bridge

with Heaven all around

I met him squarely on the ridge

he spoke to me without a sound

I asked him did he speak in Mandarin

his twinkling eyes looked all around

he pointed to the Eastern side

and there I saw upon the ground

beneath the weeping Willow trees

I was happy to have found

two Mandarin ducks so happily

walking on the grassy mound

I thanked him as I turned away

returned his smile and then he spoke

a richly warm and satisfying

baritone like plumes of smoke

smoothed and soothed and clung to me

preserved that feeling in my memory

he had two dogs who followed me

before he called them back; a mystery

for when I turned again to see

he and the dogs were gone

I was left bereft; a feeling so bewildering

a momentary skimming like a stone across the pond

a skipping of my heart

the beating pounding in my chest

echoing all around me

before the silence fell I must confess

I wondered if he was an angel

watching over me

communication needs no words

if we are one in harmony

and now the singing of the birds

broke through my reverie

the scene was filled and teemed with life

as I searched for the Mandarin ducks: verily

I could have stayed here for the longest time

made a home beneath the Willows

at one with nature I feel complete

soft downy ducks would be my pillows

two ravens flew high over head

other ducks and coots and moorhen

little rabbits all coexist

within this haven I call Heaven.

I LONG TO SWIM IN GOLDEN SUN-KISSED WATERS by Zen Beyond the LenZ

370 96

“At seventeen I learned the truth

it was the same truth I had already learned at seven

and so then twenty seven became my third time lucky number

numb is in the word, but not in my endlessly beautiful quest for love and lust for life” - AP

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sFsT9vT6Fo

YOU GOT ME SINGING – LEONARD COHEN

Life is good

though I have put my childish things away

Life is good

and I will still find time to play

Life is good

I laugh and smile so much now every day

Life is good

now I have swept my foolish tears away

Life is good

now I have kept my foolish fears at bay

Life is good

I give my trust and hope I will obey

Life is good

in God I trust and hope I never stray

Life is good

I hope that love of life is here to stay

Life is good

I trust and hope I don't betray

Life is good

I kneel down on the floor and pray

Life is good

now I am hopeful and unafraid

Life is good

now the longing for that final ebb has passed away

Life is good

not perfect, but still worthwhile and that's ok

Life is good

I fell down low, but now I catch the new sun's rays

Life is good

the love of life I found so warm

warm as the sun

on the warmest Summer's day.

JURASSIC COAST by Zen Beyond the LenZ

582 96

“The planet has survived everything, in its time. It will certainly survive us.”

― Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park

Soundtrack :

LE VENT NOUS PORTERA - Noir Désir

Wandering along the Jurassic Coast

where dinosaurs once roamed

watching the sea ebb and flow

bubbling forming frothy sea foam

fossil hunters out for the day

wielding the tools of their trade

claw hammers swinging loose and lithe with their arms

down on their knees where the dinosaurs played

sticky thick black mud underfoot

sliding down the cliffside

lost shoes and wellington boots amid

the ancient layers once melded now slide

dogs run in and out of the sea

unaware of what is underfoot

petrified forests mean nothing to them

ammonites encrusted with carbonised soot

one hundred and eighty five million years of history

stretching over ninety-five miles of coastline

Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous

this is our Earth's history; yours and mine

imagine the amazing Mesozoic Era

when the Earth's crust began to stretch and sink

layers of sediment; hardening rocks

baking in a desert; it makes one think

then sea levels fell and a forest grew

then it died and was buried deep beneath the lagoons

and the swamps and the rivers flowed over and above

then the earth was moving and very soon

the Eastern rocks tilted while those in the West

eroded and soon the sea rose again

sandstone and chalk were laid down in the region

burying the tilted layers of older rock and then

erosion became a most natural artist

Mother Nature is skilled and brilliant that way

so now you can see the results of it's labours

in this beautiful landscape I show to you today.

Whats Ap me by Nannja Panana

170 12

Credits Nannja's Theme

HIS EYES WERE OPEN, THEY EXPECTED SOMEONE ... by Zen Beyond the LenZ

437 91

“ … It would seem there's no end

To the bad or the goodness in man … “

- Beside, Jon & Vangelis

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYQ7jtFAvBI

BESIDE – JON & VANGELIS

A B V for Vulture

you're so beautiful

African White-backed beauty

standing so dutiful

How I love to watch you fly

soar across the storm-swept sky

dipping down and rising high

so incredible; I want to cry

People are afraid of you

but let me plead your case

you do not claw or maim or kill

you feast on carrion; already long-dead carcass

You may be large; your wing span broad

but you are a gentle giant bird

disinterested in those who gaze at you

in awe; to disrespect you is absurd

How I long for you to look

just once to last me all my days

to meet my eyes; see an open book

to be filled with wonder; I'm so amazed

People carry on their journey

giving you just a cursory glance

but my friend and I; we both linger

life is to be savoured; a joyful dance

Hurrying and scurrying past; in the rain

your proud features begin to blur

I make a memory with one click

and still you do not stir

Within me my heart beats fast and hard

excited by your omnipresence

oh, if only you would turn to me

grace me with your undivided presence

At last I force myself to leave

at last you take to flight

but alas, I lack the photographic skills

to capture your essence in beautiful flight

You are from the old world

and I am of the new

you are critically endangered

please do not worry;

we will try our best to save you.

Thanks for visiting. I am very grateful for the very kind comments and faves.

Enjoy a very happy weekend, dear friends <3

MULTITASKING MYTHBUSTER by Zen Beyond the LenZ

376 94

“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.”

— Robert Frank

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpJ0cyXbMbI

MAKE ME SMILE – STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL

A bono fide street photographer

took a picture of me

he couldn't wait to show the results

his smile was full of glee

I said it only fair then

to take his picture too

but I am just a point and shoot

one click and that will do

he was happy to oblige

his face was wreathed in smiles

he posed among the superheroes

he added to my golden miles

travelling is such fun and bliss

to meet all kinds of folks

life is a bowl of delicious cocktails

all stirred and mixed and sharing jokes

I never even asked his name

and he didn't ask for mine

we were both happy to be in this moment

sharing our love of photographic lines

we felt a kindred spirit and bathed

in a glowing instant friendship made

and just as suddenly as we had bonded

we parted ways and neither stayed

no backward glances

no fond farewells

but through our photographs

the memory dwells.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE : Street Photography

LESS IS MOORE by Zen Beyond the LenZ

396 124

BIG THANK YOU TO MY FRIEND Carl's Captures FOR THE TITLE!!

: 0)

“Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don't they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers.”

― Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngCi6PGDiWw

SOLITAIRE – ANDY WILLIAMS

Little Tawny Mining Bee

on my Henry Moore

drying out; hoping for the sun

lots of pollen for your store

Solitary little Bee

he loves playing Solitaire

flying here and there and then

hovering in the air

back to Earth and nourish it

doing the very best you can

avoiding all the chemicals

laid down and sprayed by mortal man

in my garden you'll be safe

nowhere will you ever find

any unnatural substances

here there's only peace of mind

a haven; a little Heaven here on Earth

Garden of Eden that's for sure

stay here with me and you'll be safe

in my world; resting on my Henry Moore.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE : 4. MINIMALISM

I'LL TAKE THE WEIGHT IF IT MAKES YOU STRONGER by Zen Beyond the LenZ

313 127

“Sanskrit has 96 words for love; ancient Persian has 80, Greek three, and English only one. This is indicative of the poverty of awareness or emphasis that we give to that tremendously important realm of feeling. Inuits have 30 words for snow, because it is a life-and-death matter to them to have exact information about the element they live with so intimately. If we had a vocabulary of 30 words for love ... we would immediately be richer and more intelligent in this human element so close to our heart. An Inuit probably would die of clumsiness if he had only one word for snow; we are close to dying of loneliness because we have only one word for love. Of all the Western languages, English may be the most lacking when it comes to feeling.”

Robert Johnson, “The Fisher King and the Handless Maiden“

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6J5KtSSHxE

I WON'T LET YOU DOWN – ERIN McCARLEY

96 WORDS FOR LOVE

Ninety-six words for love

but only one that I can see

how do we fill our hearts

how do we fulfil our destinies

with only one word for love

Ninety-six words for love

love stretches as far as the eye can see

how do we reach the ocean depths

how do we touch the turqouise sky

with only one word for love

Ninety-six words for love

I counted them in my heart you see

how do I say to you in only one word

how to protect you like a fragile bird

with only one word for love

Ninety-six words for love

all them I give to you

how do I tell you; I will try to learn Sanskrit

how will you tell me; will you teach me to read Sanskrit

with all ninety-six words for love

Ninety-six words for love

when there is no need for so many

all that I am I give to you

all that I have I give to you

with only one word for love

Ninety-six words for love

in Greek there's only three

one for you and one for me

one for everyone to see

only three words for love

Ninety-six words for love

no need for another ninety-three

I'll teach you Greek morning noon and night

I'll tell you I love you three times a night

with all my three words for love

Ninety-six words for love

when I read it in your eyes

when I hear it in your sighs

when our hearts and souls are entwined and tied

who needs ninety-six words for love.

Just a little fun poem inspired by my good friend Himadri (Happy Anniversary and get better soon!), who also supplied me with the quotation and whose English is so much better than my Sanskrit and of course, grateful thanks to Robert Johnson : 0) No doubt my good friend, Kostas, will revise the quotation for me since I now have learned there are 6 words for love in Greek!! Humph! So now I have to learn another 3 and revise my poem!!! ; 0)

p.s. I will be away one more day from home than previously anticipated, so by tomorrow evening! See you all very soon! X

LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES ... by Zen Beyond the LenZ

365 158

“My momma always said, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.”

- Forrest Gump

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tnqnXJl9qE

SWEETS FOR MY SWEET – THE SEARCHERS

A box of deliciousness given to me

I am spoiled for choice and very hungry

they are rich; they are home-made

they are filling and sweet

I ate one; I ate two

and I was replete

washed down with real coffee

a sumptuous treat

two dozen less two

twenty-two still to eat

I will try to eke them out

maybe one or two a day

how long they will last

I really cannot say

should be another eleven days at least

I carry the box; it's a moveable feast

as I pop one small morsel into my mouth

I close my eyes and enjoy

the experience is lovely

I forget all my worries

leave behind all my cares

and find renewed joy

how can something

so small yet so pretty

have such a profound and soothing effect

mmmm well I don't really know

I don't have all the answers

but for me in this moment

my life is perfect.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE : 3. STILL LIFE

Though it didn't remain still for long, ha ha!!! ; 0)))))

AUTUMN'S SERENADE by Zen Beyond the LenZ

492 140

SERENDIPITOUSLY REFLECTED ...

Not staged, but found as it was and all I did was click. Mother Nature is the Artist and I am just an observer and capturer of a precious moment in time that was short-lived, but is eternal here, in my picture, preserved.

"I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXBNlApwh0c

AUTUMN LEAVES – EVA CASSIDY

I fell in love with Autumn

from an early age

looking at the trembling leaves

leafing through my favourite page

a book of wisdom given to me

on a perfect Spring day on an early birthday

devouring all it had to tell

I gained knowledge through my childhood play

skipping through the rustling leaves

tousled hair tumbling in the breeze

jumping a stile to where the grass was greener

leaving behind what I found with ease

that life is the same beyond the fence

nothing much changes; I stayed the same

wide-eyed and innocent despite the bruises

I never looked for or sought to blame

and Autumn was bright and beautiful

I escaped my life in books and Fall

and when Winter shed it's icy beauty

I waited patiently for Spring and the Cuckoo's call

I remember woolly and itchy jumpers

too big for me; hand-me-downs

my sister was twice as big as me

I was the waif and stray from an unknown realm

with stick-thin legs and mittens on strings

a little puppet to Punch like Judy

with a broken arm like a broken wing

I flew in circles so dark and distant and deeply moody

but Nature taught me that life could be good

and enthralled me with it's imparted secrets

the gifts it gave me I treasure still

and especially in Autumn I never forget

to let live; let love and tomorrow will bring

the best the days have to offer

a brilliant blue sky with scudding white clouds

and Autumn fruit trees bend down and proffer

all of their bounty for it's ours for the taking

in repayment for all our good deeds

when we care for nature and thank God for our days

our pains will ease even though we still bleed

we are never given more than we can carry

I know this from experience; it is a fact

so God thinks I'm strong, so the least I can do

is repay all His kindness and make up for all I lack

for I am not perfect; I do not profess

to be anything other than I am

but God loves the most those who try their hardest

than those who take for granted and who don't give a damn

but He still loves us all; we are his children

and so he gifts us the beautiful Fall

a time of peace and quiet reflection

a change of the seasons

where we can find reasons

to improve all our chances;

to give it our all.

Thanks for visiting. I am very grateful for the very kind comments and faves.

MY FRIEND THE WIND by Zen Beyond the LenZ

232 73

I dedicate this picture to my dear friend Poppy Kalant who was for me today the wind who chased the dark clouds away and brought me sunshine. Thank you my dear Poppy for bringing me Ithaca and Μαρινέλλα - Σ' ΑΓΑΠΩ and for making today so wonderful for me. Σ 'ευχαριστώ που είσαι φίλος μου <3 xo

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5F_9EcuVAE

MY FRIEND THE WIND - DEMIS ROUSSOS

Love and Hope

This morning I felt lost

unsure of everything

but then my dear friend Poppy

brought me promises of Spring

She was the wind

that chased dark clouds away

and brought me sunshine

to brighten up my day

She gave me Ithaca

She brought me words of love

The sweetest song I ever heard

an angel voice from skies above

It's days like this

which give me hope

friends like this

who help me cope

On Sunday I'll lay flowers

and kneel down at Mum's feet

though Mother's Day is sad for me

My memories are sweet

- AP – With thanks to my friend Poppy and in loving memory of our Mums <3 xo

copyright remains with the author

These words given to me by Poppy today are from a Greek song :

"I send you greetings with the wind that when it caresses you, you may hear me and that they may be sung to you, in the Sky, by the evening gatherings of the stars"!

'copyright image please do not reproduce without permission'

EVERY SPIDER TELLS A STORY by Zen Beyond the LenZ

360 104

"Poetry is a fresh morning spider-web telling a story of moonlit hours of weaving and waiting during a night.”

Carl Sandburg

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAGPdyvhRRE

MOTHER I MISS YOU – JOHN TESH

I search long and hard sometimes to find the right song and I was moved to tears by this because some days I miss my Mum more than others … It's been hard growing up without her, but I hope that she will be proud of the woman I've become.

Mummy spider is all of a fluster

hurrying back to her baby cluster

kept spick and span with a feather duster

nothing in her nest is ever lack lustre

the golden rays of sun shine down and down

and make her smile and stop her frown

now she can really go to town

have a party for her babies but without a clown!

She's really scared of clowns you see

because she grew up near a family

in a big tent that they called a marquee

where the clowns all lived silly and happily

They made people smile

they would come from miles and miles

but mummy spider preferred the tiles

of a little cottage over a country stile

but the clowns would find her any way

when they took a holiday

with greasy faces white as clay

they would frighten all the spiders away

Not just mummy but others too

even the old lady who lived in a shoe

so there was only one thing left to do

live in Poppy's garden without further ado

Here mummy spider's babies can have lots of fun

on their silken threads they can run and run

but always return to their cluster lit by the sun

golden yellow orb; safe haven with their mum.

SUPERHERO STREET CRED by Zen Beyond the LenZ

277 85

“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.”

— Robert Frank

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpJ0cyXbMbI

MAKE ME SMILE – STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL

A bono fide street photographer

took a picture of me

he couldn't wait to show the results

his smile was full of glee

I said it only fair then

to take his picture too

but I am just a point and shoot

one click and that will do

he was happy to oblige

his face was wreathed in smiles

he posed among the superheroes

he added to my golden miles

travelling is such fun and bliss

to meet all kinds of folks

life is a bowl of delicious cocktails

all stirred and mixed and sharing jokes

I never even asked his name

and he didn't ask for mine

we were both happy to be in this moment

sharing our love of photographic lines

we felt a kindred spirit and bathed

in a glowing instant friendship made

and just as suddenly as we had bonded

we parted ways and neither stayed

no backward glances

no fond farewells

but through our photographs

the memory dwells.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE : Street Photography

BATMAN'S WINGMAN, ROBIN CALLING! by Zen Beyond the LenZ

592 142

“I sent him out half an hour ago for worms and he's still not back!”, says Robin ; 0)))

Using a little humour to lift my mood. Writing a little poetry for catharsis.

Connections ... (between my poems and pictures, music and quotes) … sometimes they may appear tenuous and inexplicable, but within the beauty of my mind they are inextricably linked.

People … I am very sensitive. I feel things deeply. Things that others may easily to be able to dismiss, may bring me down. I feel no need to explain or apologise for something that just is. I am just as God made me, but all things have consequences ...

Friends … those people who embrace me as I am and always bring the sun to my door. Thank you! <3

“If you want to fly in the sky, you need to leave the earth. If you want to move forward, you need to let go the past that drags you down.”

- Amit Ray

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpIKqeVaghg

INJOY – SOL SEPPY

I waited all day for the rain

the clouds hung heavily in the dark grey sky

I clung dreamily to my romantic reverie

and as the rain fell I let out a wistful sigh

my patience was rewarded

I did not wait in vain

the pitter-patter; spitting; lashing

on the skylight window pane

I pushed the Velux blind right up

and viewed the strange and eerie light

watched the big fat tear-shaped droplets

give themselves up without a fight

this melancholy mood of mine

this big black dog of Hemingway

I fight it hard to no avail

the beast will have me anyway

so I relax and settle down

upon the antique inherited settle

pick at the broderie anglaise

that lifts and crinkles and tests my mettle

idly my fingers trace the carvings

created in another land

the story that my uncle told me

so that I might understand

now he is gone and I am here

sitting on green faded velvet

the wonky leg that broke when I

stood on it; hung Christmas lights and felt it

give suddenly beneath my feet

I landed awkwardly

twisted my ankle and thought I broke it

but nothing at all showed up on the x-ray

all these thoughts and feelings crowd me

surround me and increase my mood

I want to sleep; my mind needs calming

it runs at speed; perhaps some food

to comfort me; to nourish me

to fill this bottomless void inside

then perhaps I'll drift and slumber

escape reality; I need to hide

the rain is slowing; the wind is rising

the noise they make is ever-changing

I love the wind; I love the rain

I love the shadows and the shining

some say it is a gift of mine

given to me after my childhood drowning

but sometimes it feels more like a curse

I try to laugh; my head is pounding

how can a name written on a page

affect my way of thinking so

I feel the sadness without reason

the déjà vu …

ditto ...

the echo

L E T T I N G G O …

blood-letting

go

will I fade into insignificance

or into mellow yellow …

AUTUMN IN HIS EYE by Zen Beyond the LenZ

302 97

“One day I was counting the cats and I absent-mindedly counted myself.”

― Bobbie Ann Mason, Shiloh and Other Stories

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKq7UqplcL8

KEDI – OFFICIAL U.S. TRAILER – OSCILLOSCOPE LABORATORIES

Little Billy; folded arms

with Autumn in his eye

watches very carefully

migrating birds as they fly by

he sees the passing of the season

as it passes into Winter

rests on his laurels in No Man's Land

reads a play by Harold Pinter

it's just not cricket I hear him say

sign language read in silence

a grand old house; a resident poet

champagne breakfasts and rocket science

discussions lead to other things

talk of life and death

the time we waste; the time between

Autumn and Winter with bated breath

something happened this Saturday

something light and beautiful

secret though; his lips are sealed

he's loyal and he's dutiful

he's smart as any other street cat

who's thankful he found a home

he watched his fellow felines in

Istanbul where they roam

he laughed with me at all their antics

smart and funny; receiving all they need

charming and enchanting people

so they get fish; no need to plead

they are loved by many humans

they fight; they play; sleep most of the day

at night they wander through the streets

they are safe but still I pray

one day I'll see them for myself

they'll follow me and make me smile

I'll photograph them for my Little Billy

he'll nod wisely then fall sleep awhile

dreaming of the days before

he found a home with me

but we both bless that day's decision

before the weather turned cold; wintry

he decided when the biggest storm

a rolling cloud; day fell to night

in a matter of minutes; it shook this house

gave all my cats and me a fright

no more Winters on the street

for Little Billy; my little darling

he's laying now in the warm sunshine

sleeping sweetly; inwardly smiling.

HAPPY SATURDAY AND EVERY DAY FOR ALL CATS AND THEIR HUMANS! <3

"A cat is for life and not just for Christmas"

SOMETIMES THE FLAME'S TOO MUCH TO HANDLE by Zen Beyond the LenZ

387 105

“I must move away from yesterday, plant my feet firmly in today and lose myself in dreams upon the 'morrow … “ - AP

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsXGzblg7Ws

GREEN EYES – KATE WOLF

Do not be so quick to judge

it is not for us to know the Hand of God

all will be revealed in His good time

until such time be patient; humbly nod

and bow your head and raise your hands in prayer

fingers pointing to the Heavenly realm

the Golden gate that stands atop the stairs

where forgiveness lies stand tall and strong as elms

wipe away the self-pitying scalding tears and rise

to high above the mortal world of fears

and know that you will be forgiven

and love immortal will shine brightly through your tears

life is a funny thing there is no doubt

except the seeds of doubt that others sow

and when they harvest even through the drought

of loveless hearts and blackened souls I know

that God is all and all is love; forgiveness

is given those who sin and those who lie

I do not believe in an afterworld of darkness

when the smallest light remains in all who die

for that tiny spark can be fanned back to life

and burn as brightly as any shining star

even those who seem to live in darkness

can find their way back though they must travel far

I am not all sweetness but I am human

and try to do the best in life I can

but still I fall and still I long for wisdom

to be much better and help my fellow man

even when the darkness looms above me

and past mistakes still find me in the dark

I pray and listen to my soul and conscience

I do not pick at scabs like peeling bark

forgive, forget and rise above the trivia

there are bigger and better things that lie afoot

we are just specks and live here but a moment

but our immortal souls live on and tenderfoot

we grow; expand our minds and hearts and souls

in each exciting new and wondrous incarnation

tiny fragments of our previous lives

seep through and waken us with exaltation

it's nice to think that we will never die

although this body will one day cease to be

and some of you may scoff and not believe it

but that is the beautiful challenge that you set me

I try to change your mind in subtle ways

with words and pictures, songs and quotes and then

if still you do not believe my long meanderings

I do not feel defeated but try again …

Thanks for visiting. I am very grateful for the very kind comments and faves. Please, if you do not have time to read my poetry I understand and am always grateful for your faves and appreciation of my pictures x

Enjoy a very happy week, dear friends <3

Actually I am very sorry that yesterday I left comments and faves with several friends before I went for my scan and found they had been wiped, so today I try to rectify, but fear I have not redeemed myself entirely! : 0( Today it is still hard to post replies and comments and faves "pop" out. If I notice I will redo! Sometimes I really dislike the technical glitches of Flickr!!!!!

PORTRAIT OF A STREET PHOTOGRAPHER by Zen Beyond the LenZ

257 41

“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.”

— Robert Frank

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpJ0cyXbMbI

MAKE ME SMILE – STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL

A bono fide street photographer

took a picture of me

he couldn't wait to show the results

his smile was full of glee

I said it only fair then

to take his picture too

but I am just a point and shoot

one click and that will do

he was happy to oblige

his face was wreathed in smiles

he posed among the superheroes

he added to my golden miles

travelling is such fun and bliss

to meet all kinds of folks

life is a bowl of delicious cocktails

all stirred and mixed and sharing jokes

I never even asked his name

and he didn't ask for mine

we were both happy to be in this moment

sharing our love of photographic lines

we felt a kindred spirit and bathed

in a glowing instant friendship made

and just as suddenly as we had bonded

we parted ways and neither stayed

no backward glances

no fond farewells

but through our photographs

the memory dwells.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE : Street Photography

UN FRAGMENT de MENDELSSOHN by Zen Beyond the LenZ

364 105

"Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along"

- Rumi

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qGbtW1THC8

MICHAEL BALL & IL DIVO

The overhead storm clouds cast their shadows

washing away the pride in me

pride comes before a fall

I learned that at my father's knee

or was it that I just misremembered

perhaps it was pride comes before a fool

it matters less in this definitive moment

it may always remain a mystery

I listen hard for signs of rain

I imagine the coolness on my skin

I thought I heard a rumble of thunder

is it true that rain will wash away our sins

for surely we have taken a wrong turning

this blessed heat without humidity

the dew drops sparkle in the sunlight

a mirage mirroring my humility

rosé rosée like pink champagne

smooth like cultured pearls it seems

like the many facets of a zillion diamonds

have been erased in many sultry dreams

wish that I could stay in this moment

give up the fight for any more

be contented; savour and relish

these small things that should be adored

but in my reverie I am safe

and the waters I paddle are extremely shallow

but that's not me, I must take the plunge

swim out of my depth; the wickless tallow

melts in the hot relentless sun

emerging now beneath it's shroud

the ether smells so strong of ozone

by the sea as dissolving clouds

dissipate and my anticipation

disappears like urban myths

that once seemed honest, true and permanent

but now appear rarified as Scotch mist

I play the music it fills the air

the ivory keys invisibly stained with blood

the ebony hardened like the wounded stare

of civilisations misunderstood

when will we learn to be as one

is it so hard to find harmony

the rhythm of Mendelssohn's fragmented vision

resounds in my ears and soothing me

I pick up the notes with nimble fingers

disperse them into the universe

hoping that someone, somewhere will hear them

and heal our planet, not make it worse

transferring thoughts like transference of scores

of tiny notes that alone have only partial impact

I begin to play a different theme tune to my life

love changes everything; to me that is a fact.

HAPPY FISH FRYDAY by Zen Beyond the LenZ

293 110

“Good conversation is just as stimulating as black coffee and just as hard to sleep after.”

- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d9rRNbOijc

BLACK COFFEE – LACY J DALTON

We couldn't get in at the restaurant we wanted

we didn't think to book

so we were re-directed across the road

and found a cosy comfy nook

this poster caught my eye and so

I pointed shot and took

a little boy from olden days

who caught a big fish on a little hook

the carvery was excellent

I met and congratulated the cook

we piled our plates as high as we could

we signed our names in the visitor's book

the place was a little dark but not shabby

it had it's own style; conversation babbled like a brook

we felt relaxed and satiated and happy

as we left for the theatre for which we DID book

an amateur production of Agatha Christie's

play called Black Coffee; well worth a look

the performers were brilliant; very professional

we couldn't second-guess who was the crook

Hercule Poirot arrived looking a bit dishevelled

in a well-worn well-creased linen jacket he forsook

to press it as well as Captain Hasting's trousers

the audience laughed; our shoulders shook

the stage was set; the lights were dimmed

until the interval came and everyone took

a break for an ice-cream, fresh air and ablutions

returned for the final half of this lesser known book

I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner and visit

to the Palace Theatre as we undertook

to applaud the wonderful players of this play

sad to say goodnight as the room fell dark as a rook.

AP-BGZ by Andrew Holden

100

Manchester Airport EGCC Runway 23L

BENEATH DARK SKIES by Zen Beyond the LenZ

236 89

“This is not just for my country, but for all countries; for all families; for all people who have lost someone in the fight for freedom and to all those lost in peace time too … we are all born under the same sky; we look to the same moon and the same sun. We are born to be human; to be humane; to love one another as family should; to embrace the differences and imperfections in each other and always find peaceful resolutions so that no child has to grow up alone; so that every child has a chance to grow up … without fear … Forgiveness, hope, love, understanding, compassion, empathy … these are not just words to me; they are a way of life, but still I am not perfect … but I am a trier and that's all any of us can do … try … it's a step in the right direction.” - AP

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”

~ Albert Einstein

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=an1df8s0Brk

LOVE CAN BUILD A BRIDGE – THE JUDDS

TO THE FALLEN

Though poppies come and go and fade

in this your final resting place

memories of you; our soldiers brave

fill us with light and full of grace

thanks to you who gave your lives

so that we may live in peace

though medals given posthumously

will never bring you back; release

the raw emotions keenly felt

on each Remembrance Day

but as long as we remember you

it's like you never went away

the crosses many; bright and white

fill the cemetery

rows and rows of poignant signs

that mark this place in memory

we bow our heads and think of you

we pray and tears fall softly

you gave the ultimate sacrifice

so we can live our lives so freely

the legacy you leave behind

the children who bear your name

will carry on and make you proud

stand tall within their heritage reclaimed

each passing year the fields of poppies

bloom more and more in crimson swaves

that stain like blood the countryside

reminding us too of blood-filled waves

that swelled and swilled and dragged you under

marking out your watery graves

sacrifice so great we wonder

how on earth such terrible wars that gave

whole nations widows in such numbers

orphaned children; countless lives unsaved

how could these wars have taken you from us

left us to grieve; hearts carved out hollow

it seems a small thing we can do

to remember you all the days that follow

in the minutes of grateful silence

we salute you our kith and kin

and as the poppies fade away

we hold you to our hearts therein

you are all a part of us

we are here because of you

we are grateful for your sacrifice

we think of you in all we do

sleep peacefully all those taken too soon

we can never repay

the sacrifice; the lives you saved

we will be thankful all our days.

My picture is a compilation of 3 of my artworks and one of my photographs

AP-BGY by Andrew Holden

93 2

Manchester Airport EGCC Runway 23L

AP-BLY @ DXB by T Jerkson

46 1

AP-9 by Jose Casalderrey

50 1

AP-BGJ by Andrew Holden

89 2

Manchester Airport EGCC Runway 23L

AP-BEQ, Airbus A310-308 PIA , slowing down on a wet runway; creating a massive waterspray by Freek Blokzijl

53 2

Grrr!! I WILL NIBBLE YOU! by Zen Beyond the LenZ

288 82

“If the trees and the plants are brothers, if the birds are my sisters, then cats are truly my kin.”

― Andrew Miller, Dub Steps

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc_b-qE9gl8

MEET TIGGER

Christmas is a joyful time

especially when you have cats

I have eight and all of them

watch me wearing my silly hat

they play with all the boxes

they play with all the paper

but do they want the toys I bought

no they don't; what a caper

Harry hides beneath the tree

something caught his eye

a dangling little nutcracker soldier

Harry stalks him; wonders why

what he's doing in his house

looking straight at him

“I'll have you if you turn to run”

Harry says; paw up and then

a sudden breeze; the soldier moves

Harry is swift and swings a punch

“just as well I had some chicken”

he licks his lips and thinks of lunch

Harry is autistic

every day is new to him

everything even things most familiar

are strange and scary and on a whim

he pounces on something unexpected

something only he can see

he remembers some things better than others

and I'm glad he always remembers me

when he was just a tiny kitten

well he's not much bigger now

the vet thought that he would be blinded

but I didn't agree and I knew somehow

as he scurried about like a little mouse

with so much energy and love to give

the vet said it would have been kinder to leave him

to end his life; not let him live

he was born with a shot jaw; it was hard to eat

and his mother; another stray; had abandoned him

together with his sister Chloe

who had the same problems and more within

well, I never went back to that vet again

I took them both somewhere else

a second opinion was all they needed

and love and care to restore their health

they had not learned to wash themselves

so I washed them in the Butler's sink

eyedrops for Harry to clear a bad infection

Bubbles decided to brave the stink

he became the mother they barely knew

he still curls up with them now

they burrow their heads into his warm fur

they make me smile; they make me vow

to keep them safe and free from harm

to love them all their lives

to give to them all I have to give

to make sure that they live and thrive

I carry them around like little babies

these two little mites who showed such fight

they are so loving; so sweet and small

I reassure them every day and night

they never will be very big

but they are big in other ways

big the love they give to me

big the joy they bring my days.

Their shot jaws corrected themselves over time so that now you don't really notice and they both have very healthy appetites! : 0)

LEST WE FORGET ... REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY by Zen Beyond the LenZ

304 67

“I wish one day we will be ONE WORLD under ONE FLAG …

a flag of PEACE and UNITY” - AP

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwpO8Q1u4Ss

I JUST CAME BACK FROM A WAR – DARRYL WORLEY

They fell asleep on fields of red

sandbags and mud their pillows and bed

sacrificed their lives so that we

can live our lives in peace; be free

How should we best remember them

these boy soldiers; these unforgotten men and women

remembering them and honouring them

not just today but ad infinitum

Today I remember everyone who fell

not just in my country but throughout the world as well

the bravery of men and women too

the children; the innocents; all those who we failed to rescue

And all those who survived and those left behind

we must not turn our backs on them; the world should not be rendered blind

let us join hand in hand across the sea

find a way forward; open the eyes of the world to see

As a child I felt the indentation in the head of my late Dad

made by the bullet that did not kill him, but left him so sad

what does not kill us makes us stronger he would say to me

trying to convince me; deflect his sadness away from me

He never spoke much about his ordeal

and he died before I realised the little he did say was real

I was brought up in the army way

and now the discipline brings order to my chaotic days

For me every day is Remembrance Day

and I am grateful that I am able to pray

if I did not have hope or my deep beliefs

I would sink beyond trace and drown in my grief

Today I say thank you to all those who suffer for others and die

shed the tears for a world that drowns out their cries

so many voices but the still voice of calm is still heard

the voice of reason and love rises above and speaks out the Word

We are here because of their deep sacrifice; they did their bit

and now it is up to us to leave the world better than we found it

not much to ask is it to let our egos go

put others needs before our own; make each passing day a better tomorrow..

Thanks for visiting. I am very grateful for the very kind comments and faves.

I am away until Monday. Have a wonderful weekend, my dear Flickr friends <3

AP-BGJ by Andrew Holden

84 4

Manchester Airport EGCC Runway 23L

Ap_01 by Yuri Achill

32 11

A SILENT ELOQUENCE by Zen Beyond the LenZ

414 134

A lovely German couple sit in companionable silence within the grounds of the Summer home of Agatha Christie. The quotation is from the front of her book, Kollaps (Collapse) : How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond, who identifies five factors that contribute to collapse : climate change, hostile neighbours, collapse of essential trading partners, environmental problems, and the society's response to the foregoing four factors. It was nice to see these two reading and not on iPhone's or tablets. I found it very refreshing and gives me hope for the world … I don't know why, but it just did. They had no need to be openly demonstrative. Their love was tangible. They seemed, to me, to be the epitome of something that the world is rapidly losing and I wanted to capture the essence of that. I find that, for me, I can rarely relax and be myself except in the silence of my own company or when I am in nature. For me the world is often too big; too noisy; too crowded and overwhelming. Wish that there was none of the problems covered in this lady's book. How calm she seems while reading about such chaos. I remember my father saying to never judge a book by it's cover. Perhaps she has inner turmoil, but somehow I do not think so and actually I really hope her life is every bit as beautiful as I perceived it to be and his too.

“I met a traveler from an antique land

Who said; Two vast and trunkless legs of stone

Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,

Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,

And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command,

Tell that its sculptor well those passions read,

Which yet survive, stampt on these lifeless things,

The hand that mockt them and the heart that fed;

And on the pedestal these words appear:

'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings;

Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare

The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

- “Ozymandias”, by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1817)

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IkFiuIkcPI

À Toi - Joe Dassin "Alain Delon and Dalila"

We return to innocence

like children we play in the sun

we sit in companionable silence

our two hearts so close as if our life has still not yet begun

we read and play out in our heads

the story of our lives

the love that we will find

and the memories we will make will help us to survive

we may go our separate ways

or we may stay together no matter what

for now the sun is overhead and heady

makes us dizzy

drink some fizzy

orange or lemonade will keep us steady

I do not know if you are ready

but I am … take baby steps

walk with me along the sand

love is in us and beside us

I feel it so deeply but will you ever understand

it is written in the stars

I write it echoing in the sand

I reach out to touch your cheek

we are closer now; walking hand in hand

but for now we have reverted back

to the companionable silence of before

so comfortable in our own skins

we do not search for answers or look towards the open door

we do not see it closing

we do not know if time is short or long

we only know the rhythm rising in us

that beats so loudly; that gives rise to our eternal song

we dance to our own tune

sometimes we dance apart

but it does not matter because we are sure

of this mutual feeling that is mirrored deep within our hearts

we travelled far; we travelled wide

sometimes together; sometimes apart

none of this matters now

all that matters is what is here

this perfect moment; this is our time

the poets wrote of it long ago

they wrote in couplets; they wrote in rhyme

and here we are; we are the living proof

that nothing really matters except

to be within this loving moment

to live and love

to live

to love

to rise above all things

to give thanks to heaven above

we found each other

we lost each other

we refound what we had lost with ease

what is written will always come to be

as long as I have you

as long as you have me

as long as we have Faith

as long as we have each other

as long as we believe.

Lamborghini Urraco by eduardo lopes

51

AP-BGY by Andrew Holden

121

Manchester Airport EGCC Runway 05R

Un pizzico di sale e pepe!! by Stefano marini

37 36

THE DIFFERENCE IS A NEW PERSPECTIVE by Zen Beyond the LenZ

227 116

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

— Lao Tzu

Today I take that first step towards a new beginning with a new outlook; a new perspective and an actual real life plan. I am literally walking back to happiness ; 0) Thank you for being a part of my journey <3

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjRo_CHSdt0

BABY CAN I HOLD YOU … TRACY CHAPMAN

Spirits in a tranquil garden

graveyard quiet and unexposed

silent, still; I beg your pardon

for the misunderstanding that arose

I look at almost everything

differently to what went before

the difference is a new perspective

that opened up so many new doors

I walked through with ease of passage

bathed in bright ethereal light

the life that I once took for granted

now fades into the darkest night

and I am reborn like a flower

whose seed spread through the seasons

I cannot tell you how it happened

I can't explain the many reasons

yet I believe divine intervention

played it's part within my dream

and staged the most wonderful reinvention

and I am bursting at the seams

with joy and wonder; new understanding

beliefs and knowledge know no bounds

for I am called upon to witness

all of nature and it's sounds

beautiful in every aspect

wonderful; miraculous

how fortunate I find my new life

to be now that I've sacrificed

my ego; let it go before me

shrivelled; tattered; no further use

for I have no need of frivolous shadows

that hid the light; increased abuse

for those few people who thought so badly

I ask you now to look within

my soul is cleansed; pure as a newborn

I am ready to begin again

my heart sings out a brand new song

it reaches from sweet earth to heaven

it hugs the world where I belong

and since the tender age of seven

that first small death instilled in me

a bright and questioning mind

that shaped my heart and soul you see

as I glimpsed the promised land

no more questions; just pure acceptance

my mind is peaceful; still and kind

to myself and all I encounter

I give my love that soothes and binds

my friends and family I hope you'll join me

in being thankful for this day

for I am here and living fully

take my hand and hear me say

welcome to my world of wonders

welcome to the brightest light

hear my voice above the thunder

the storms will pass; no need to fight

for aren't we all nature's creation

aren't we all as blessed as they

from little creatures to highest mountains

let's make the most of every day.

Terra by Anna

4 32

Caetano

suggerita da Valerio

1936 Plymouth P1 Business Coupe by eduardo lopes

30

1951 Opel Olympia by eduardo lopes

30

I'VE STILL GOT INFINITY AHEAD OF ME by Zen Beyond the LenZ

317 95

“And the Universe, she's whispering so softly I can hear all ...”

- Gregory Alan Isakov, The Universe

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lKFQxdLXgs

THE UNIVERSE – GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV

Imagine what it's like

to have a photographic memory

to record the smallest details

the pain and loss of you and me

Imagine if you will

what it's like to live like me

a walking, talking history book

recorded for posterity

Imagine if you really need

to switch off all your thoughts

to seek that great elusive silence

it can be learned; be taught

Imagine though if you were me

unable to cancel out

every tiny little thing

good and bad; I want to shout

Imagine what it's like to be me

to hear; to see; to feel too much

to wander in the wilderness

without your tender touch

Imagine if you will awhile

the noisiest place on earth

a cacophony of the loudest sounds

since the time of my rebirth

Imagine waiting in the darkness

for light to shine on you

reflecting all your hopes and dreams

all the things you want to do

Imagine feeling intense pain

seeing kaleidoscopes of colour

so vivid; writhing snake-like visions

no comfort found in one and other

Imagine the intensity of loneliness

greater than you feel now

so fragile; so exquisite; so misunderstood

and then imagine how

It is possible to exist this way

it takes strength of will; resolve

I will always seek the stillness

to be alone; at peace; evolved.

AP-211 by robh4754

26 4

Taken at the end of March. I was on the Apalachicola bay shooting the oystermen as they worked their craft trying to make a living. This is one of many that I have posted and am proud that I was able to capture such hard working folks.

Llewellyn ap Gruffydd by technodean2000

16

1960 Oldsmobile 98 by eduardo lopes

41

MES PIEDS SONT EN ANGLETERRE by Zen Beyond the LenZ

338 128

MAIS MA COEUR EST EN FRANCE

MY FEET ARE IN ENGLAND

BUT MY HEART IS IN FRANCE

mais tu connais chère Jeanne, ce petit coin d'Angleterre est maintenant la propriété de la France! ; 0)

View from England to France!

Pour toi, ma belle Jeanne <3

La prochaine fois je vais essayer de rimer en français! ; 0)

www.flickr.com/photos/jmenj

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”

- William Shakespeare

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxwoK5pYM48

CLOSE TO YOU - RUMER

Comment j'ai envie d'être près de la mer

aussi proche de toi que je peux être

pièce dans laquelle mes ailes peuvent se propager

rêveries agréables dans ma tête

atterrissage; écrémage à la côte

des diamants scintillants; toast au champagne

la Tour Eiffel me coupe le souffle

surplombant Paris le jour le plus clair

je chercher pour toi parmi les foules

de ma perchoir au-dessus des nuages

il y a une démonstration que je vois

ma belle Jeanne sur une séance photos

elle est une héroïne de gloire sans prétention

chacune de sa photographies raconte une histoire

elle apporte le monde réel à mes pieds

alors que je suis à la recherche de papillons, elle est dans la rue

filmer l'autre côté de la vie au-delà de la corniche

elle aime la nature, mais avec un tranchant

donc je pense à elle quand je suis dehors et à propos

en cliquant sur une fleur avec un poids industriel

pourquoi ne pas mélanger la douceur avec la rouille

grandeur décoloration et poussière urbaine

J'aime sa style innovant

son images ont un impact; l'essai humain

voyez par vous-mêmes; visitez sa ruisseau

et vous verrez juste ce que je veux dire

chère Jeanne est une merveille et un honneur de savoir

une belle femme; mon amie; sa lueur

fera paraître le jour gris le plus terne

soulève mes esprits; apaiser mes nuits

elle est l'incarnation de ce que la beauté et la grâce signifient

le plus gentil, aimant et généreux des êtres humains.

How I yearn to be near the sea

as close to you as I can be

room in which my wings can spread

pleasant daydreams in my head

landing; skimming to the coast

glimmering diamonds; champagne toast

the Eiffel Tower takes my breath away

overlooking Paris on the clearest day

look for you among the crowds

from my perch above the clouds

there's a demonstration I see

my beautiful Jeanne on a photography spree

she is a heroine of unassuming glory

each one of her photographs tells a story

she brings the real world to my feet

while I'm chasing butterflies, she's in the street

filming the other side of life beyond the ledge

she loves nature, but with a cutting edge

so I think of her when I'm out and about

clicking a flower with industrial clout

why not mix the softness with rust

fading grandeur and urban dust

I love her innovative style

her images are impactful; the human trial

see for yourselves; visit her stream

and you will see just what I mean

dear Jeanne is a wonder and an honour to know

a beautiful woman; my friend; her glow

will make the dullest grey day seem bright

lift my spirits; soothe my nights

she is the epitome of what beauty and grace mean

the most kind, loving and generous of human beings.

DO YOU KNOW ...? by Zen Beyond the LenZ

386 143

“The merest breath reached out to me in the wilderness and halted me in my tracks. I cocked my head to listen intently to the rhythm of the earth; for the direction of the wind; to the whisper of the trees and in that one defining moment, my mind was made up and I stepped out boldly into the unknown direction of the path that will take me who knows where, but it is the beginning of a new and exciting journey and all I had to do to reach this point was to stand still; to listen; to observe; to be guided by the instincts within me that served me so well in the past and in so doing now, I leave the past behind and my heart and soul are glad to be separated from the weariness that had settled so heavily on my shoulders. My steps are light as is my entire being as I begin again …funny, I only just noticed that begin and being are anagrams of each other … “ - AP

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsA-Xc6gWDE

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO? - DIANA ROSS

Life from a snail's point of view and mine too ; 0))

Which way shall I go?

UP?

ACROSS?

DOWN?

what a dilemma

I cannot decide on a whim

WHAT IF …

too many what ifs …

while I wait I am silent

I try to think strategically

1. Supposing I reach the top

and don't like what I see!

2. Supposing I go across

sideways and merge my colours

subtly into Mother Nature's palette

3. Suppose I go back down

no WAIT!

I already came so far

to go back would be wasteful

of the time

of the experience

mmmm … the wall has tiny microscopic little beasties

they taste good though the wall itself is roughly hewn

a moveable feast

Who am I?

What am I?

A snail carrying her home upon her back

free to roam the open road

oh well, ok … the open wall if you please

I passed a slug a little while ago

a slug is surely just a homeless snail …

I should be more content with who I am

after all I am not homeless

I am not helpless

I am shielded from predators

I am the queen of my own castle

I hear a bird

a Dunnock I think, perhaps two

one is thin; the other fat and round as a Robin

they sing so prettily

I have no audible sound

but my heart sings

my mind thinks

I feel and climb this wall to evade capture

and to avoid being trodden underfoot

vain creatures; humans … they love my slime

they apply it to their skin

it heals and makes them smooth

I can heal myself if my outer shell cracks

I am tired now

I want to sleep but I have not yet decided

UP?

ACROSS?

DOWN?

It is quite a conundrum for a snail

oh there she is with her camera

I cry to her to make sure she gets my best side

of course she does not hear me or does she?

I think she might well do

she is in tune with nature

in harmony with her surroundings

she is in my domain

and I am in hers

together we can do great things

she has a profound effect on me

suddenly I decide

to enjoy the ride

the wind in my hair

oh wait!

Do I even have hair?

So much I do not know

I teach her

she teaches me

together we coexist

she leaves me to my meanderings

while she goes off a-wandering

tomorrow is another day

I will decide then, perhaps

UP?

ACROSS?

DOWN?

What's that she's saying?

“Au revoir little humbug”

What on Earth is a HUMBUG??? *

* Humbug is a boiled sweet that is striped like a little snail and very sweet : 0)

AP-BEQ by Björn

26

LEJ 20-05-18

Longtime stranded Classic PIA A310

THE BEAUTY OF A FLY by Zen Beyond the LenZ

393 92

My house is built on hallowed ground and land that was reclaimed from the sea. It suits the essence of me and calms my spirit to walk in my garden knowing that it was left for many years, an abandoned place until the house was built and the stony and sandy ground where nothing much grew except ancient plants; wild flowers that blew in on the wind. Then someone planted trees from all four corners of the earth and plants that should not have survived began to flourish as if the roots of these trees breathed new life into the earth. There have been only a few guardians of this magical place and I am honoured to be the current guardian. At first I tried to plant what I liked; tried to enforce my will on this holy place, but in time I realised something … you cannot force a garden to grow; to bend to your will. A garden evolves slowly over time of it's own accord mostly and we, as guardians, should allow it to guide us. In this way I have found peace and happiness here and I embrace the changes of my ever-evolving garden. I seldom buy anything new to plant. I wait for the winds; I wait for the seasons; I witness the changes and I grow and evolve as a person in much the same way as my garden does. It is a joy to anticipate each new season; each new wind; and to see what appears. There is always something unexpected appearing. Life is full of surprises; of serendipitous moments. I wonder sometimes about these old trees. I think whoever planted them was guided and perhaps the garden welcomed the dappled shade on what once was a desert. Certainly I feel myself sometimes directed to introduce a new species. Perhaps I am guided also by a hand that I cannot fathom. We are not meant to understand everything. If we allow ourselves to just be, we may find, without effort, how our path unfolds with relative ease. I have found this to be the case. All those years of struggle and now I can just let go … it really is that easy to be content.

p.s. I was compelled reluctantly to remove a Laburnum tree that I thought might be harmful to my cats. I had always wanted such a tree with it's beautiful yellow flowers … but in it's place a Forsythia grew with a profusion of yellow flowers. I did not plant it! Magic? Yes, I believe so! : 0)

“I like gardening. It’s a place where I find myself when I need to lose myself. “

– Alice Sebold

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbx6aXhocew

IN ABANDONED PLACES - Raison d'Etre

Please enjoy the unique experience of this video.

Lieber Rolf, ich denke du wirst diesen Film zu schätzen wissen! : 0)

“We leave our footprints in a place to mingle with the echoes of all that went before; our heartbeats; our rhythm; the patterns of our lives.” - AP

I wander in the wilderness

my garden of delights

a jungle by the turquoise sea

a land so flat; the moon at night

shines down with silvery fingers

and touches the ground with magical spells

and come the breaking dawn of morning

all ills are banished and all is well

the dark and mysterious creatures

who loiter in the dusk

emerge in brilliant sunshine

with all-seeing eyes; an elephant tusk

protrudes and scythes the longest grasses

parts the meadow like the ancient sea

leaving behind a trail of crimson

flowers of sorrel and sweet harmony

reigns here as the King of the Jungle

seeks solace in the afternoon siesta

ignores the urban sounds outside

these walls; these trees; a back-firing Fiesta

alerts the songbirds from their idle rest

they flitter and flutter from tree to tree

and as I lie within the striped hammock

I swing and sing low to the sound of the breeze

a mist arises suddenly; springs up from the sea

settles a cloak; an air of mystery

around the shoulders of myself and the limbs

of the ancient trees as I sip my Pimms

I can barely keep my eyes from closing

the warmth of the air so cloying and deep

I find myself falling gently to the humming of bees

as I lapse now into a soundless sleep

I awake to find the blue sky black

lit by a billion diamonds or more

an infinite guide is laid out before me

the wisdom of ancient celestial stars of yore

some say when we see them

they have already died

long ago before our ancestors

what does this imply

do our eyes deceive us

or are we psychic or perhaps

we are more knowledgeable than we realise

all we need falls easily into our laps

but still we often ignore

the instincts that are given

override them; divide them

dilute them; we're driven

to only see clearly to the end of our noses

we fail to stop often to smell the scent of the roses

take stock; stand still

absorb the nature of all living things

for in this garden I discovered

nature brings happiness and happiness brings

peace of mind; plentiful bounty

the sweetest fruits of the earth

the love that will bind us

circumnavigate the world's girth

here I find every day all that I need

the flora; the fauna; all that set seed

and I've no desire to be anywhere else

as much as I desire to be here

in this garden full of Heaven

there is love; there is goodness that I hold dear

from the humblest of creatures

find the beauty in a fly

sing so loud like a blackbird

view the world through a child's eyes.

My artwork is a blend of 4 of my photographs taken in my garden

1994 Jaguar XJ 220 by eduardo lopes

40

AP final days by Sᴀᴍɪʀᴀ ♥

20 1

Visit this location at Asphyxiation Point - Urban Roleplay SIM in Second Life

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