When love beckons to you, follow him,

Though his ways are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you yield to

him,

Though the sword hidden among his

pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in

him,

Though his voice may shatter your dreams

as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he

crucify you. Even as he is for your growth

so is he for your pruning.

Even as he ascends to your height and

caresses your tenderest branches that quiver

in the sun,

So shall he descend to your roots and

shake them in their clinging to the earth.

[…]

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

Wenn die Liebe dir winkt, folge ihr, sind ihre Wege auch schwer und steil.

Und wenn ihre Flügel dich umhüllen, gib dich ihr hin,

Auch wenn das unterm Gefieder versteckte Schwert dich verwunden kann.

Und wenn sie zu dir spricht, glaube an sie,

auch wenn ihre Stimme deine Träume zerschmettern kann

wie der Nordwind den Garten verwüstet.

Denn so, wie die Liebe dich krönt, kreuzigt sie dich.

So wie sie dich wachsen lässt, beschneidet sie dich.

So wie sie emporsteigt zu deinen Höhen

und die zartesten Zweige liebkost, die in der Sonne zittern,

steigt sie hinab zu deinen Wurzeln

und erschüttert sie in ihrer Erdgebundenheit.

[...]

Khalil Gibran

Frau Holle at work

from the series : Enfolded

www.flickr.com/photos/casualties/sets/72157607356196448/w...

“May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow. May the soft winds freshen your spirit. May the sunshine brighten your heart. May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you, and may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.”

Still is a hauntingly beautiful painting by Alison Watt which hangs in the Memorial Chapel of Old St. Paul’s in Edinburgh.

To commemorate the unveiling in 2004, the Scottish poet, Alan Spence wrote a special poem.

A seamless garment

white robe hanging

in folds enfolding

time and space

folds in fabric

a universe opening

from this still centre

state of grace

heart of matter

flowering unfolding

white rose white rose

white rose

rose again

BEST LARGE AND ON BLACK

My apologies to all my contacts who have already kindly faved this shot when for some reason the comment box became inaccessible for quite a while. Whilst trying to correct this problem, I appear to have accidentally deleted the favs out too. Thank you nevertheless for the favs and thank you very much my dear flickr friends for all your ongoing kind and wonderful comments and awards. Wishing you all a very happy, wonderful and blessed week and approaching weekend : )) xo

An Olde Irish Wish

"May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow

May the soft winds freshen your spirit

May the sunshine brighten your heart

May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you

And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love."

Irish blessing for St Patrick's Day

"May you always have

Walls for the winds,

A roof for the rain,

Tea beside the fire,

Laughter to cheer you,

Those you love near you,

And all your heart might desire!"

Irish blessings

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSG0jEjfLSc&feature=related

Curtaining catches the light and infolds the images on the windowpane, making an enfolding forest of the world outside, a sphere of woven comfort.

I'm not sure if Fr. Dunstan Massey, who created the bas relief sculptures for the sanctuary of Westminster Abbey in Mission, B.C. intended this to be the Angel of Death, or some other kind of angel. I'll have to ask the monks next time I'm there. The angel is holding a lily to "his" face, so I presume that may signify death.

What caught my eye especially were the cobwebs crisscrossing the statue! That also seemed an unintended symbol of death!

While I took several pictures of the angel sculpture "head on", I found this POV to be the most dramatic, especially with the lighting coming through the stained glass windows above it.

I was told when I took this photo in 2017 that Fr. Dunstan was 93 years old and is working on yet another bas relief sculpture for the church!!! He's an amazing artist & man.

For more information on him:

- www.seniorlivingmag.com/articles/fatherdunstan

- www.vancouversun.com/news/Monk+devotes+life+adorning+Miss...

- www.montrealgazette.com/Father+Dunstan+Massey+laboured+fi...

- www.bccatholic.ca/the-news/4305-artist-monk-finishes-7-ye...

Jaworzynka <3

www.facebook.com/milkysoldierphotography

After a storm

I want to be brave

And keep you warm

And not fade away

As we float from the shore

Into the light

Into the unknown

Like thousands of lanterns

Glowing with grace

In glorious silence

Descending through space

To a friend

A sister in need

Who is not alone

And they are surrounding her

And they will enfold her outstretched hand

In our love

Into the light

It's hard to believe

It's always been ours to give

And to receive

I want to be shameless like the sun

Moving into you

Entering light

Welcome

Inch'Allah, Inch'Allah

Enter one amazing grace is pouring down

Fear not this light

We are of this light divine

So come

We move as one

Amazing grace is pouring down

Fear not this light

We are on this light divine

Welcome

Enter one

After a storm

I wanna let go

Of the things that I’ve done

Without any worry

I wanna come home

Into the light

Into the unknown

I want to be shameless

Like the sun

Moving into you

Enter light

Welcome

Inch'Allah, Inch'Allah

Enter one

Amazing grace is pouring down

Fear not this light

We are on this light divine

So come

We move as one

Amazing grace is pouring down

Fear not this light

We are on this light divine

Welcome

Enter one

"Enter One" Sol Seppy

Please View On Black

Let light enfold me

That my inside eye may see clearly

The path that lies ahead.

Let my mind be opened up

That I may recognize

The signposts along the way.

Grant me the wisdom

That comes from understanding

The true from the false.

And Guide my steps

So that should I falter or stumble,

Tripped by former beliefs

That bring me still

I may go forward with Courage

And with the determination

Which persistence Bears.

Let me be embraced

Witht the Love by which

The whole Creation is moved.

The very Essence with which

All things are held together

Dependent yet independent,

Whole yet individuated.

In which all are my relatives

Let me know the way

That is the beauty way

Where all who will

May walk in Beauty

and where the end of the path

is but a new beginning

To my infinity.

And every new beginning

Another ever-present moment

In Eternity.

Many would laugh as if this were a joke, but not only we have had our names and identities changed by this government. Our names are part of our identities, to lose one, somehow dimishes all else about us.

"The voice of the sea speaks to the soul.

The touch of the sea is sensuous,

enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace."

~ Kate Chopin ~

"My soul is full of longing for the secrets of the sea,

and the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me."

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~

"The sea does not reward those

who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient.

One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach

- waiting for a gift from the sea."

~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh ~

"In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans."

~ Kahlil Gibran ~

Prayer

"Let your arms enfold us

Through the dark of night

Will your angels hold us

Till we see the light

Hush, lay down your troubled mind

The day has vanished and left us behind

And the wind, whispering soft lullabies

Will soothe, so close your weary eyes

Let your arms enfold us

Through the dark of night

Will your angels hold us

Till we see the light

Sleep, angels will watch over you

And soon beautiful dreams will come true

Can you feel spirits embracing your soul

So dream while secrets of darkness unfold."

- Secret Garden

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH-JEx16Irk&list=FLrydzkdPrg3...

Celisa

Samoyed on Icelandic Moss

A sheltering cove seen from Dunnottar Castle, Scotland, UK.

In the mist.

Image made with my Nikon F100.

A brief visit to Cannon Hall, Cawthorne today revealed the start of the flowers. Much later than last year, no doubt due to the very cold weather we've had and, yes, at long last, spring is beginning. I was really pleased with this pic; it seemed the most appropriate to add an old poem of mine. I had been looking for the right shot.

Where Are You?

Where are you in the dark of night, as I lay alone – the bed an acre of soft empty sheets?

Where are you as I wake, shafts of bright sunshine clouding my saddened and aching eyes?

and all around me, normality screams.

Where are you when the empty trolley stumbles down the supermarket aisles?

Where are you when I want to share with you the rough and engulfing difficulties of my day?

and all around me, normality scares.

I am here, holding your hand against mine,

enfolding your beating heart, as frustration weeps.

I am the breath of warm summer air as you aimlessly wander,

and frosty cold winters with crackling fires.

I am the wind caressing the leaves that rustle overhead,

and the soft call of birds on the wing.

I am the faintest hint of fragrance that dances around your room, when you least expect,

and the breath-taking face that smiles at you from a photograph.

I am the petals of the springtime blossom that fall at your feet,

and the gentle rain that refreshes and soothes.

I am the hugging canopy of trees that darken and cool the road below,

and the burnished autumn fallen leaves.

Never fear my love.

Never worry.

I will guide, and protect and comfort you.

I will reach out for you, understanding your sorrow.

And until we are together again, I will patiently wait.

fr.youtube.com/watch?v=4mUmdR69nbM

Long afloat on shipless oceans

I did all my best to smile

'Til your singing eyes and fingers

Drew me loving to your isle

And you sang

Sail to me

Sail to me

Let me enfold you

Here I am

Here I am

Waiting to hold you

Did I dream you dreamed about me?

Were you hare when I was fox?

Now my foolish boat is leaning

Broken lovelorn on your rocks,

For you sing, "Touch me not, touch me not, come back tomorrow:

O my heart, O my heart shies from the sorrow"

I am puzzled as the newborn child

I am troubled at the tide:

Should I stand amid the breakers?

Should I lie with Death my bride?

Hear me sing, "Swim to me, Swim to me, Let me enfold you:

Here I am, Here I am, Waiting to hold you

“The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace.” - Kate Chopin

Scripps Pier in La Jolla is my favorite place to photograph in San Diego. The light is always fantastic and there are many subjects to photograph from surfers, wildlife, an amazing pier and of course the Pacific Ocean.

I love San Diego and so should you!

Thanks guys for all your views, comments and favs!

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography 2017

Contact me to license my images:

sam@samantonio.com

Purchase my prints:

www.SamAntonioPhotography.com

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Newly installed stained glass window of St Vincent de Paul blessing the children at St Vincent's Roman Catholic Primary School in Vauxhall, Birmingham (installed July 4th, 2012). The window is situated in the school's reception in Vauxhall Grove.

My brief was to portray the school's patron saint blessing the children; I attempted to create a setting consistent with this traditional imagery whilst adding a touch of the contemporary. The saint is shown beneath a brick archway reminiscent of the school building, whilst the enfolding foliate forms are suggestive of new growth and renewal through education, bearing fruit in the form of the next generation.

www.stvincnt.bham.sch.uk/

Great White Egret

www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1wAXsbVlHE

Nikon F801S

50mm 1,8 AFD

FP4+

Scan Epson V370

Reproduction Interdite

Tous Droits Réservés

(C)

Drown Me Slowly

Audioslave

I've got a will this time don't care what you say

I've got a feeling this will all go away

It's in the wind this time it's in the southern sky

I can't walk on water yet won't even try

[Chorus]

So drown me slowly

Enclose me

Drown me slowly alright

Drown me slowly

Enfold me

Drown me slowly

All that I took with me was a bad taste in my mouth

Went all around the world just couldn't spit it out

Just like ground zero was the surface of the sun

That's a sickness I can't fix it not all at once

[Chorus]

So drown me slowly

Enclose me

Drown me slowly alright

Drown me slowly

Enfold me

Drown me slowly

enfolding

The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace. In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans. The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient.

enfolding detail

Virginia countryside east of the Shenandoah Mountains. The perspective invites the weary wayfarer to take the long but inviting road home.

One day the younger son came to his father and said, “Father, eventually I’m going to inherit my share of your estate. Rather than waiting until you die, I want you to give me my share now.” And so the father liquidated assets and divided them. A few days passed and this younger son gathered all his wealth and set off on a journey to a distant land. Once there he wasted everything he owned on wild living. . . . . So he got up and returned to his father. The father looked off in the distance and saw the young man returning. He felt compassion for his son and ran out to him, enfolded him in an embrace, and kissed him. . . . The older brother got really angry and refused to come inside, . . . The father replied, “My son, you are always with me, and all I have is yours. Isn’t it right to join in the celebration and be happy? This is your brother we’re talking about. He was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found again!”

Luke 15: 11-32

I just did new YouTube, with Sidewalk Prophets, "Sisters and Brothers" www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCYVfFiSx68&feature=youtu.be

Your caresses enfold me, like climbing

Vines on melancholy walls.

-Pablo Neruda

The second release for Hisa's Landscaping line is here!

These Climbing Vines are available at Anthem

A growing mist enfolds this barren crag.

Hasty Bank, North Yorkshire.

The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation. The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace. . . *** one needs passion to share sunset & love to share sunrise. The later is harder to find ***

de.youtube.com/watch?v=M3p4fMz3gLI

View On Black

(Song in german and dutch version, Herbert Grönemeyer / Bløf)

(Translation below ;-) )

Halt Mich

nehm meine träume für bare münze

schwelge in phantasien

hab mich in dir gefangen

weiß nicht wie mir geschieht

wärm mich an deiner stimme

leg mich zur ruhe in deinen arm

halt mich, nur ein bißchen

bis ich schlafen kann

fühl mich bei dir geborgen

setz mein herz auf dich

will jeden moment genießen

dauer ewiglich

bei dir ist gut anlehnen

glück im überfluß

dir willenlos ergeben

find ich bei dir trost

bin vor freude außer mir

will langsam mit dir untergehn

kopflos, sorglos, schwerelos in dir verliern

deck mich zu mit zärtlichkeiten

nimm mich im sturm, die nacht ist kurz

friedvoll, liebestoll, überwältigt von dir

schön daß es dich gibt

komm erzähl mir was

plauder auf mich ein

ich will mich an dir satthörn

immer mit dir sein

bedecke mich mit leben

laß mich in deinem arm

halt mich, nur ein bißchen

bis ich schlafen kann

halt mich, daß ich schlafen kann

Hold me

you've made my dreams seem like real life

everyone comes true

reality's unfocused, i've lost myself in you

warm me with tender whispers

oh, now enfold me in your arms

hold me these few moments just until sleep comes

i feel so safe beside you, your heart next to mine

i want to enjoy this moment till the end of time

so good to feel you by me, good fortune overflows

i willingly surrender, find comfort in your arms

i'm beside myself with joy

feel i could float away with you

weightless, carefree, deep in love, it's ecstasy

rain on me your kiss of fire

call up the storm

the night's so short

take me, i want to be overwhelmed by you

so good to have you here

come and tell me all there is to know

i'll never tire of listening

never let you go

breathe life into my body and drown me in your arms

hold me these sweet moments just until sleep comes

hold me just until sleep comes

Thank you for your kind visit.

I was feeling you when I took this picture.

"When love beckons to you, follow it,

Though his ways are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you yield to it,

Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in it,

Though his voice may shatter your dreams"

Khalil Gibran Khalil

Listen

Lord, it is night.

The night is for stillness.

Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.

What has been done has been done;

what has not been done has not been done;

let it be.

The night is dark.

Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own

lives rest in you.

The night is quiet.

Let the quietness of your Peace enfold us,

all dear to us,

and all who have no peace.

"The night heralds the dawn.

Let us look expectantly to a new day,

new joys,

new possibilities.

In your name we pray.

Amen.

This prayer in Night Prayer of A New Zealand Prayer Book He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa (page 184)

A BIG thank you to Lance, www.flickr.com/photos/lankee2009/, a friend in New Zealand, for this prayer!

Bug screens. A pretty red chimney. Elevated off the ground. Quiet surroundings among the dense Florida foliage. Can't explain the STOP sign, though. Maybe it means "No Trespassin'?"

Micanopy is the oldest inland town in Florida, having been included in a land grant made by the King of Spain in 1817 to Don Fernando de la Maza Arrendondo of Havana.. Founded after Spain relinquished Florida to the United States in 1821, Micanopy became the first distinct American town in the new territory.

The Town of Micanopy encompasses 1.03 square miles near the Alachua-Marion County line in rural north-central Florida between Gainesville (home of the University of Florida) and Ocala (the horse capital of the world). Micanopy’s 669 residents occupy 300 residences. The beautiful southern community was named for Seminole Chief Micanopy (ca.1780-1849).

The ancient oaks clothed in Spanish moss enfold Micanopy’s narrow streets and dirt lanes and provide shade and Southern ambiance for visitors and families that have lived here for generations.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The light of God surrounds me.

The love of God enfolds me.

The power of God protects me.

The presence of God watches over me.

Wherever I am, God is.

The Polyptych of the Misericordia is a painting conserved in the Museo Civico di Sansepolcro in the town of Sansepolcro, region of Tuscany, Italy. The painting is one of the earliest works of the Italian Renaissance painter Piero della Francesca, who was born in the town. The central panel is of the common motif of the Virgin of Mercy or Madonna della Misericordia.

In 1445, the Compagnia della Misericordia, a confraternity of Borgo San Sepolcro, commissioned Piero, a native of the town, to paint a polyptych for them. According to the taste of the time, the polyptych was to be painted with precious colours and have a gilded background. Piero did not respect the three-year time limit set in the contract—he was busy working on many other projects. The polyptych was only finished seventeen years later, in 1462.

The oldest two panels, to the left of the main panel, depict St Sebastian and John the Baptist. St Sebastian's panel shows a close connection with Masaccio's nudes, which Piero would have seen in an early visit to Florence. Piero painted the outlying panels of the tympanum later; including the Crucifixion at the top centre, St Benedict, the Angel, the Madonna of the Annunciation, and St Francis in the sides. Towards 1450 he finished the figures of St. Andrew and St. Bernardino. The predellas, with five scenes of Jesus's life, were mostly executed by assistants.

The last part of the polyptych to be painted was the main central panel showing the Madonna della Misericordia. The panel portrays the mercifully protective gesture of the Madonna enfolding her followers in her mantle.

Piero resolves the difficulty of dealing with a flat solid gilded background, requested by the patrons, by placing the kneeling members of the confraternity (who commissioned the altarpiece) in the realistic three-dimensional space created by the Madonna's mantle, a space resembling the apse of a church. Notably, the Madonna is still portrayed larger in size than the human figures, a tradition in medieval painting. However, the fully three-dimensional rendering of the figure, inspired by Masaccio, and the perspective study, inspired by Brunelleschi, are plainly of the Renaissance.

Website: www.alanduggan-photography.co.uk

15/366/2020, 3302 days in a row.

Pigeon coo, warm whispers,

calm enfolding.

Vinegar and the smell of the sea on the air.

Pockets of dappled sunshine soothing goosebumps.

piano keys tinkle,

deep breath,

time slows

I'm here.

Casting about like the warmth of a linen memory enfolding the finishing day, the sun kindles a rich golden glow across an expanse of evening ice. An archive shot -- Picture taken Friday January 28, 2005 at Mapleside Farms in Northeast Ohio.

A pretty lousy photograph taken almost due south at midday (my usual moan if you've read my endless babblings), but a gorgeous view nonetheless.

Chiltern woodlands enfolding the valleys.

A view down the valley towards Fingest, and I suppose the distant Thames.

Lush scenery dotted with small picture book villages and hamlets, no wonder that this is the 'go to' area for filmmakers wanting that traditional England in which to set bizarre, oh so English murder mysteries.

Only birdsong, bleating of lambs and the rattling call of pheasants, it is almost impossible to think this is on the doorstep of London...until you see the house prices.

In the beginning, there was nought

But heaven, one Majesty of Light,

Beyond all speech, beyond all thought,

Beyond all depth, beyond all height,

Consummate heaven, the first and last,

Enfolding in its perfect prime

No future rushing to the past,

But one rapt Now, that knew not Space or Time.

This is Southwest of Aspen, Colorado.

I'd never been to this part of Colorado before, and I'd never been to any part of Colorado during autumn. I was all but overcome by the sea of yellow that enfolds so much of the mountainsides and valleys in the area. I didn't care for the city of Aspen--too "rich" for my blood--but the area it sits in was crazily beautiful. More photos to eventually follow.