Ode to Spring

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.
Pamela Vaull Starr

Hello all!

Here is something that I wrote recently- a friend actually came up with an idea where I can put my verses and writings in print (where I'll come up with many beautiful designs, etc) and possibly frame them, where I'll then put it up on Etsy... thoughts??

This is in dedication to one of my favorite seasons... the promise of loveliness to come!

Spring

Photo: Milkshake Dreams

I came across a wintry garden one day

The sky so fine I fear it would ripple should something fly across.

My nerves are riveting with a strange sense of numbness.

Cold is its presence, long forgotten traces of memory.

Should I enter the threshold of your belonging

I fear I may lose control.

And now I'm down on my knees

Holding you close, I long to dream again.

Photo: Wasted Youth

We arrive at the edge of the age of wonder,

I longed to reach my fears, rip the ends and its seams.

Light follows me and when night falls, I keep that light out for you.

Blanketed by tiny kisses of stars, I then lie low in search of our castles in the sky.

When hours fall into years beneath me,

I reach out to feel the warmth of the wind during summer days.

When I walk, I step closer to where your heart is.

Pages of significant remedies, words channel deep to the sound of my inner symphony.

Photo: Kate from I'll Blow Your Mind

When I went back to the garden once more,

Such strength left winter speechless and degenerated.

The swelling deep inside me will not disappear

And I see lilies everywhere.

Monet closes his eyes and releases a heartbreaking sigh.

Photo: Kate from I'll Blow Your Mind

Joie de vivre,

Joanne

The Edge of Love

Hello all!

We are slowly approaching Valentine's Day- yes the day of romance and declaring one's love to the top of the highest mountain and other wonderful attributes ( well nowadays it seems that chocolates and cards will be just as much) and also a day for those single ladies such as myself, to have a fun time with good company and making it a fun "me" day. No one is left out and all will have cake.

As usual, I found myself listening to old jazz tunes or music from the Golden Age as I called it. I'm such an old soul- I love music from the 20's to the 50's and adore everything from the way people dressed down to the love of the radio back in the day where programs were enlightening and entertaining, and where going to the cinema meant seeing actors like Grace Kelly and Cary Grant light up the silver screen.

In a sense, I felt that love was more precious and magical back then, given tragic events such as war which many endured the effects of, and it seems that time and life itself was not to be taken granted.

While listening to Vera Lynn's "We'll Meet Again" on YouTube, I have the habit of reading all the comments before I start watching whatever it is that I am watching, and then begin the song.

One story which someone had commented, really touched my heart in a way where it pains me that such moments are indeed left in the past, and the urge to return to such moments is very real:

"Watching my father in uniform and my mother in her best dress walk out onto the dance floor , the music started and they flowed like a soft breeze. The next four years Mom danced with my aunts and and other ladies and they all sang and laughed . The men were gone and I never really understood the stresses of the times but I did know things would somehow work out. When it was over and my Dad came home, the block parties must have gone on for months and there they were , dancing to every tune."

He then goes on to say:

"In that generation, gratification was not instantaneous, nor was it expected. They waited for it, it was the wait that generated the thrill and when it finally arrived, it was really a thrill. Today we say its not better or worse, its different. I guess we all get very used to our comfort zone. But, I remember very clearly those days during the war, holding my Mothers hand waiting on long lines to get a small bag of sugar. Sugar in coffee was a thrill for Mom."

In a sense, I feel sad how it seems that today, no one seems to get a real thrill out of the smallest but most beautiful things- I know without a doubt that some of you readers are like me and are passionate in life and for the grandest moments that can often be simple moments- so to hear such a wonderful and very touching story which happened to someone very real, is truly inspiring.

I remember when there was that great big Blackout that occurred a few years ago in August, how the whole street seemed to take part in a huge BBQ as all the meat would have gone spoiled, and so everyone was just dropping by, people laughing and chatting, kids were playing with one another.

I felt a strange sense of happiness in taking pleasure that this is such a first for everyone- that it took the elimination of electricity to bring people together and the degree of interaction was surprising.

That evening, I'll never forget how bright the Moon looked, it's light poured on top of the rooftops and on the streets- illuminating everything. Everyone was outside on the lawn chairs, my sister and I lying on the grass, bathing in this quiet splendor.

And with love, I think I will always be such a hopeless romantic. There needs to be more of a Keatsian love in this lifetime, for we only have but one life to live.

Joie de vivre,

Joanne

Note: images via weheartit

The Chairman's Waltz

When I opened my eyes on the first day of February, I thought of a few things.

One of them was the fact that we are one step closer to the promise of warmer weather- as welcoming as it was in December, right now it feels more of a long-drawn affair to which one side already lost the early days of romance.

As February seem to be a month where the concept of love and light renewal is in full bloom, the past few days I've dedicated myself to a few things on some things I love!

I spent this past Friday with a girlfriend treating ourselves to two things: perfume and and a book. I'm very much a perfume lover, collecting all of my perfume bottles over the years which includes my very first Dior (Miss Dior Cherie), Chanel's "Coco Mademoiselle", Chanel's "Chance", Dolce and Gabbana's "The One", Vera Wang's "Glam Princess", to Bvlgari's "Voile de Jasmin".

Currently I am loving Twirl by Kate Spade- I thought the ad for Twirl by Kate Spade was very fun and elegant as well.

This perfume is described as "perfect cocktail for summer afternoon or evening party in the city"- perfect!

Shortly after, I dropped by the nearest bookstore and was browsing around some titles until I found the hardcover edition of The Wedding Girl. I have always loved Sophie Kinsella's works and so definitely took the chance to pick this one up. To be honest, I've always loved British Chick Lit over other Chick Lits- there's such a different sense of humor and taste which is distinct.

Apart from Hello Kitty (i'll never stop loving it- in fact, I even had the lipgloss from Hello Kitty by Sephora, before it hit the shelves!) I have a soft spot for Rilakkuma! I swear, I will be in so much trouble when I go to Japan- the things I love and want are pretty much close to endless.

This work is one of my paintings that I've done while listening to jazz music on the record player on a lazy weekend.

This work is named "So Bright and So Delicate"- it was inspired by the works of John Keats, especially "Bright Star"- it is of the imagined landscape one feels they are lost in within the the emotional capsule of love and lost. Like the mind, the trees are powerful memories which unlock nostalgia, and the landscape is imperfect- caresses of shadows appear. The ground like the subconscious, does not have a structural foothold- it can unravel at any given moment.

Lately, I have been dedicating my time in the morning to my novel, writing as much as my mind permits and found that devotion to things you love in the mornings usher out a quiet peace unlike anything else.

I have probably watched this more than a couple of times, but I found myself drawn to it once in a while and every time it would just literally make me melt- the score, the cinematography and the story captures me in a way that leaves me feeling how wonderful it is to be able to feel what we feel when we watch a film or read a book.

Love portrayed in this film is timeless.

One of my favorite quotes from Memoirs of a Geisha is when the Chairman said to the young Sayuri: "None of us find as much kindness in this life, as we should."

For some reason, that particular scene always gets me welled up with tears- in a sense, the Chairman reminds me of the gentlemen I have met in my life.

We are touched to think of all the great moments that have made us who we are, and are grateful for the individuals who have left a tremendous mark in our lives.

Joie de vivre,

Joanne

Note: images via weheartit