Thursday, May 13, 2010

Freeing Myself From Distraction

white flowers

I feel tense. It's been busy around here.

What to do?

I return to the idea of outdoor solitude. Drink roasted-rice Japanese tea and listen to the dog next door. Something fragrant is on the air. It smells white and iridescent, if that makes any sense.


shadow on concrete

Freed from distraction, I remember Claire's PhotoPlay. So when I am finished sitting, I retrieve my camera and go in search of simplicity.


doorknob

Not quite getting it, I don't care. It is good to be a beginner at something. To be, again, a person who tries.


Flowers, Shadows, Doorknob photos, by L.L. Barkat.

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21 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

to be , again, a person who tries.

sometimes that is all I want. all I need.

this was so beautiful, L.L.

5:47 PM  
Blogger Cassandra Frear said...

Fresh air and stillness renew. Blessings to you, friend.

5:58 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

i am learning with my 365 light project that i will always be learning when it comes to "seeing and capturing".

i like the second one best.

the in focus/out of focus effect on the first one is also good because it makes me look twice, wanting to focus on the most important part of it.

wondering what angle you shot the first one from, because of the background?

6:04 PM  
Blogger sarah said...

the photographs are beautiful. but that last line ... the perfect poetry of soul's truth ... exquisite.

6:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

sounds good. some time to just be and see.

7:02 PM  
Blogger S. Etole said...

I like the contrast of soft and hard ... of being and seeing.

7:54 PM  
Blogger amy in peru said...

me too. you took me at:
To be, again, a person who tries.

yes.

amy in peru

8:00 PM  
Blogger SimplyDarlene said...

Outdoor solitude--where the plants and trees and birds and grass and wind speak our names, in barely audible whispers. It is perhaps a place where we find freedom from what others want of us

The door, were you in & looking out or out & looking in?

Blessings.

8:04 PM  
Blogger L.L. Barkat said...

Deb, thanks. Sometimes we say these things, then they come back and we feel them even more deeply. I feel that way after your words.

Cassandra, yes. :)

Claire, each is my favorite for different reasons. The first was shot against the foundation of the house. Straight on. (Well, with me on the ground, eye level with the flowers. :)

Sarah, thank you for finding the poetry in me.

nAncY... ah, sweet nothing.

Susan, I love that analogy between the visual and life.

Amy, me too. :)

Simple Country Girl... it's a weird thing. An outside door. That's why the glass handle has turned purple. Old glass does that in the sun. But there's an old wooden storm door between the handle and me. Glass upon glass. Thus all the reflections. I love the layers of that one. Not Claire's simplicity assignment much, but I like it nonetheless.

9:18 PM  
Blogger Jessica said...

sitting in the solitude. Love it. Beautiful pics.

10:28 PM  
Blogger ELK said...

each one has be wondering ..and wandering to my own outdoor solitude with a little gratitude thrown in , because of your images of art !

10:31 PM  
Blogger Kathleen Overby said...

With you across the miles on this one. :) Hugs.

11:15 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

thought so... but had to ask.

have to tell you this... your poetry has spoilt me. i have now become ever so critical of other poets who cannot lull me to sleep.

xox

4:54 AM  
Anonymous Jim Martin said...

Read your words, L.L. Very nice! In fact, Reading what you described, as you allowed us to look over your shoulder, was very calming and a reminder of my own need to regroup. Thanks.

6:32 AM  
Blogger Louise Gallagher said...

Sunryu Suzuki calls it: Beginner's Mind.

What a beautiful post -- words and photos shimmer.

8:10 AM  
Blogger Laura said...

I think you've already got it.

3:24 PM  
Blogger Emily said...

Outdoor solitude always renews me like nothing else, either. You capture its spirit so well in this post.

10:34 PM  
Anonymous Monica Sharman said...

I just discovered genmaicha a couple of months ago. Fell in love instantly.

See how much I love RAPs? Here's my link. Now, to pack and get on a train for 43 hours. :)

http://mybigthree.highcallingblogs.com/2010/05/14/ancient/

11:47 PM  
Blogger Ted M. Gossard said...

Yes. To find beauty we need to open ourselves up to it. Too often I'm transfixed on what is not lovely, etc.
Thanks, L.L. for the thoughts and pics that line up well with them.

8:12 AM  
Blogger Bina said...

simply...beautiful...as always.

thanks for sharing this...i love the third pic.

1:19 PM  
Blogger Kelly Sauer said...

I missed Photoplay in the waiting and the writing this last week, but I have a poem for you for RAP.

I am still beginning when it comes to photography. I think I always will be at the start, no matter how long I take pictures.

My poem for RAP:

Impressions: New York City

11:22 AM  

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