thefleetingworld

December 4, 2021 What has been left

Who travels with the undressed caravan?

“He had no friend or relative
He was a lonely man;
But he held a love within his heart,
The love of his caravan…
He could move through pastures fair
Enjoy the freshness of summer air,
Travelling until light grew dim.
He had no friend or relative
But the countryside belonged to him.”

(J. Hemsley in Lonely caravan)
Liège (B)

November 30, 2021 What has been left

A chair that stands on two legs

“I sits on all four and I favours none —
Priest, nor People, nor Lords, nor Crown:
And I never tilts in my chair, my son,
And that is the reason it don’t break down.”

(R. Kipling in My father’s chair)
Liège (B)

November 25, 2021 Transport

I’m the light that’s guiding you!

“Sail on!” it says, “sail on, ye stately ships!
And with your floating bridge the ocean span;
Be mine to guard this light from all eclipse,
Be yours to bring man nearer unto man!”

(H.W. Longfellow in The lighthouse)
Vlaardingen (NL)

November 20, 2021 Still Life

The birds that will never sing

“It is only a tiny garden,
Where the sweetest roses grow,
Where the birds are always singing
From dawn till evening’s glow.
With its wealth of wondrous flowers,
And its sunshine everywhere,
It is only a tiny garden,
But my heart is always there.”

(L. Glanville in It is only a tiny garden)
Liège (B)

November 15, 2021 Culture of Industry

The gate showing the remnants of past glory

“Et cette heure où l’on se rappelle
Son cœur follement dépensé,
Est comme un frissonnement d’aile
Qui s’en vient du joyeux passé.”

(M. Bouchor in Nos souvenirs)
Liège (B)