THE BALM OF LIFE, SPRINGS IN BASIN PARK paintography and photography and poetry by Michael (Miguel) Forbus NUDE TREES by MIGUEL This week it has begun to feel like winter and fall has fought it’s valiant fight and lost. It showed us it’s finery, its delightful late blooming flowers that are cold tolerant and the magnificent finery of it’s leafs, it’s lovely dress. And now the mountain stands shivering, nude, like a woman who has somehow misplaced her clothing and her limbs, thin and withered are the branches of the trees. The trees know that winter approaches and the delightful colors of the valleys and ranges out my window suddenly are gray and barren, as a dying love would seem. I have seen trees laden with the most lovely yellows, as sun rays in the deep blue sky, and reds that are apples and blood colored leafs, and they gave me great joy. The lavender mums, have now rusted and gone to bed and the gardens are all in a state of disarray as the clothing of the old woman who stands in the hills and tells me that fall is here, nude with withered limbs. I love nature in all it’s glory, all it’s natural rhythm. But I cannot love fall. It tells me that I will have no warm sun on my chest, no day that I may go without remembering all the clothing I must wear and I cannot tolerate. The voice of fall tells me that the snow will come and I will have to be less carefree and less able to more about. She is a once beautiful lady, this mountain, one that has gotten old and has no shine for me now. No color that makes my eyes tear. They tear now for loss of beauty and loss of the sprouting of fresh flowers and lovely tomatos and herbs from the garden and walks with a loved one in the warmth and naked swims in the moonlight. She stands nude, embarrassed, her limbs shriveled and gray as the limbs of the trees out the window of my cabin, the window I stared out of for hours counting the shades of green and spotting love birds singing for joy. For warmth. Now the animals scurry around gathering repast for the winter months and they know things will be tough and they will become hunted. It is no longer a carefree life. So I must tell you all that in a little more then a week, I will be on the beach again, my clothes useless to me, my morning walk in the sun with the waves crashing, my dearest friend again. I will become a child of the sea, a fish, a wave rider. And leave this nude woman of a mountain and her shivering, naked and embarressed. Written by Miguel as he becomes cold heading for the Gulf.
26 Comments
Nira Dabush 12 Jul 2022
Hello Michel.. Such stunning composition... Magnificent. How are you? I hope things are well.Anonymous Guest 14 Mar 2012
It is by Sark and the book it is from is Succulent Wild Woman. She wants us to live a rich, succulent life. It's a book that I won't give away bcseuae I know I'll read it again and be inspired once more.Maureen recently posted..Anonymous Guest 13 Mar 2012
I don't know if this is what you wanted but the plepoe that I listed that I was thankful for were:Glenn O, Pam O, Marissa Y, Shelby Y, Nacny D, Mitusa O, Sharon K, Betty O, Helen C, Caroline P, Karen S, Shirley H, Shari K, Marci H, Deanna Y, Naomi E, Harold E, Jim Y, Cliff P, John M, David G, Kaala S, Tabol M, Chris S, Andrew M, John M, Adam S, Ty E, Mignon E, JC, Cori T,Lessa S, Robert M, Bev M, Mike S, Julie S, Chris G, Nora G, Arnold G, Joy Y, Brianna S, Tiffani T, Tiffany L, Stacy T, Stacy H and all the plepoe at WBC and Mano'olana.Anonymous Guest 12 Mar 2012
Hello, I'm new to your blog and am so sorry to hear of your storm damage. We have a three hudrned tree apple orchard plus pears and cherries. Many of the apple trees that were planted before we bought the orchard were standard trees. It has taken major pruning to get them to where they should be. You can take about a third of the branches each year. The main thing is to get the trees opened up. It helps get the sun to the apples and eliminates at lot of wind damage. Our biggest damage was an ice storm two years ago. The wood is great for using on a grill I gave it to a lot of our friends for smoking meats.Jeanie Chadwick 30 Nov 2007
Miguel, you definitely need to get out of Dodge and head for the sun man! This gives me the chills...as in my nose is cold and I'm going to go put another log into the woodstove. That pitiful, naked, withering old woman....wow, your words are so...visual! Your image warms me though...I love the fall and the rest that winter brings.Carliss Mora 25 Nov 2007
Michael, this is a bursting with sparkling effervescence, and tremendous glory filled prelude to nakedry!! Please pardon my garrulous exuberance.Gordon Christie 25 Nov 2007
Just fantastic.kevin rollins 25 Nov 2007
so much colour in this michael,beautiful work!KC CHANG 25 Nov 2007
VERY BEAUTIFUL!joseph alimento 24 Nov 2007
i wish i could figure out color and work with it like youNira Dabush 24 Nov 2007
Remarkable piece of ART,Michael...gorgeous colours such a beautiful use of colours..JUST SO MAGNIFICENT..!! Great words added here.Patty Day 24 Nov 2007
Bold and beautiful colors, great work again Michael!!Cindy Lemoi 24 Nov 2007
Beautifully done Michael. Wonderful colorful artwork.Robin Brown 24 Nov 2007
Fine words Michael as always, complimented by an equally fine image. Colours to die for matched with a composition made in heaven. My guess is that anyone who passes away at this time of year would see a similar scene as the appoached the gates of heaven. Thanks for giving me a glimpse of that scene Michael.Nelly van Nieuwenhuijzen 24 Nov 2007
love this so much!! is marvellous!! both: text and image are great!Joe Sweeney 24 Nov 2007
Michael, your pictures are beautiful and your words are lovely, Michael you are a god send, kind regards my friend, Joe.jamie winter 24 Nov 2007
Micahel this is wonderful just awesomeKathie Nichols 24 Nov 2007
Beautiful work Michael, the colours are so vibrant! Wonderful contrast and lighting too!Hui Zhu 24 Nov 2007
great...great... GREAAAT !!! ^o^/Jan van Baarle 24 Nov 2007
Great digital artwork and great words!Lucia Stewart 24 Nov 2007
Wow, awesome and powerful Michael, love the colours and the composition of this image. A delightful autumn scene!!!Minnie Shuler 23 Nov 2007
Beautiful colors. Your work is excellent. I do not hate winter. I look at it as a symbol of death that makes the glorious resurretion of spring possible. It teaches me of the renewing power God and life. The leaves of my trees do not all shed, in fact very few. Most are pines and live oaks that are evergreen. Even they, however, have cycles. I hope you enjoy your swim, while your mountains are bathed in winter snow. I've observed that the bare trees take on different colors and have stages to prepare for the growth. The grasses especially are beautiful to watch as they change with the seasons. In the winter, the Indians gathered the roots for medicine and food because the fall and winter is their richest time. In the spring when the sap rises, the roots lose a lot of their properties...the leaves and stems gain. It is always there, in some form. The goodness of the earth never leaves and I think dear Miguel never has a reason to be embarressed. Great work, Michael.Gabriele Swanson 23 Nov 2007
beautiful work Michael..love the popping colorsMrs.David Jobes(Dee) Jobes 23 Nov 2007
BEAUTIFUL capture with fantastic composition!!!Great Photography!!!FANTASTIC digital Artistry,Michael!!!Emily Reed 23 Nov 2007
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PHOTO, AND WONDERFUL DESCRIPTION!Lori Barnes 23 Nov 2007
very nice composition