Visual Meditation: “Pour yourself out like a fountain”
April 17, 2008 · by Christine
Sonnets to Orpheus, Part Two, XII
Want the change. Be inspired by the flame
where everything shines as it disappears.
The artist, when sketching, loves nothing so much
as the curve of the body as it turns away.
What locks itself in sameness has congealed.
Is it safer to be gray and numb?
What turns hard becomes rigid
and is easily shattered.
Pour yourself out like a fountain.
Flow into the knowledge that what you are seeking
finishes often at the start, and, with ending, begins.
Every happiness is the child of a separation
it did not think it could survive. And Daphne, becoming
a laurel,
dares you to become the wind.
-Rainer Maria Rilke, from In Praise of Mortality
(photos taken of a fountain at the retreat center where I was last weekend)
-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts
** Visit this week’s Poetry Party **
Posted in Visual Meditation | 3 Comments »
April 20th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Liquid silver, precious mercury
escaping from an unknown source
The cupids giggle, seek shelter –
Untouched, protected from the tempting shower
‘Til the liquid show becomes too much
They venture to touch and are frozen in time
Your photos often seem to bring out the VERY hidden poet in me:) Thank you for the visual meditation – lovely.
April 20th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Absolutely beautiful SS, I am delighted to bring out your hidden poet.
You are most welcome!
April 21st, 2008 at 11:46 am
these photos are very very beautiful! my favorite lines from the poem are “Be inspired by the flame” and “dares you to become the wind”. thank you for the water meditations.