The third Monday in August.  A time when many students are headed back to school while some in the northern hemisphere are enjoying the final days of their summer vacations.  But regardless of where you are on this planet, it has been quite the week as far as politics, climate change and the world condition are concerned.   Perhaps some solace might be appropriate.

For years, people have waxed poetic or railed against art.  Oscar Wilde, in the preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray (consider the context) "All art is quite useless."  But the quotation from John F. Kennedy in October of 1963 at Amherst College seems to aptly fit these times.  "When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations.  When power narrows the areas of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence.  When power corrupts, poetry cleanses, for art establishes the basic human truths which must serve as the touchstone of our judgment."   The only poetry included here is from nature, specifically flowers.  They can provide solace, a sense of calm, beauty, and sometimes excitement all in the same unfurling of a petal.  One of this summer's columbine plants is going through a second bloom cycle.  Lucky us! 

There is hardly anything at this time of year (short of the smell of chile roasting), that awakens the senses and spirit like a sunflower.

May art in its many forms, be part of your life this week!

Thanks to the artists and poets all who wrote about last week's blog including Charlie K. C., Lawrence, Victoria, Connie, Steve, TTT, Catherine,

Jean & Sam, Barbara F. R., and Marilyn.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©