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Afanasy Fet, ice, landscape, photography, poetry, russian poets, winter
Days for contemplation, looking inwards, watching old films and reading poetry. Anything Russian would fit my mood – Tarkovsky films, long Russian novels and the beautiful Everyman hardback of Russian Poets. This is is one of my favourite Christmas presents, including old favourites such as Anna Akhmatova and Osip Mandelstam but also many poets I didn’t know before, grouped by themes such as The Muse, Black Earth, Träumerei and What is the Use of Time?
Skies again are deep and bare;
Scents of spring are in the air;
Nearer, nearer every hour
Draws the bridegroom in his power.
Coffined in her icy shell,
Under some dream-woven spell,
See her sleeping, stark and cold,
Still in that enchantment’s hold.
From her lids his birds of spring
Fan the snowflakes with their wing;
Out of deathly dreams and chill
Ooze the teardrops , melting still.
‘Skies Again Are Deep And Bare’ by Afanasy Fet (1820-1875)
translated by Oliver Elton
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Moments caught in wrinkles of ice. Great tonal range and depth.
Thanks for the photographic appreciation!
Of late, a better winter’s moment I have not had. Stunning, Diana, in every aspect.
Karen
Lovely response Karen! However winter is not over yet here – maybe it is for you.
Love the dreamy romantic feel to the first and second images.
I think it’s all the dreary grey days which have added to the general Winter melancholy. There are, however, some uplifting signs of Spring!
I’m sure you will find them! I have seen a few snowdrops and even primroses this weekend. Melancholy to me is romantic and is actually enjoyable!
Love the ice photos (no surprise!) I never see winter as melancholic – it’s all about beautiful light and sites that are hidden by the rest of the year’s growth. I think of it as a time of clarity.
I like feeling melancholic so it is not a criticism of winter! I do agree about the light and the clarity.
Love the photo of the waterlillies in and under the sheets of ice, it’s really moving.
Having painted so many waterlilies last year it was a shock to see them frozen in. Poignant.
Absolutely beautiful atmospheric photos! I love that spiky ice pattern shooting out from the leaf. A photo I wish I had taken!!
Great compliment – thanks.
Your photographs are a visual treat Diana. No need to paint after seeing them! And transporting poetry too.
Thanks Philippa – I think I was almost making the photos into paintings in my mind.Sometimes it is impossible to improve on nature!
Sing hedgerow!
I LOVE Anna Akhamtova…
I will look for an opportunity to include her sometime!
and Tarkovsky… you’re right, they are winter movies.
beautiful-beautiful-beautiful!
Thanks Sigrun – bit of a Nordic view!
Lovely photos
Glad you like them, thanks.
Beautiful images and mood here, Diana. Wonderful!
Your snowy picture inspired me to action!
That’s nice to hear – delighted you turned the inspiration into these beautiful ice sculptures!
Such lovely pictures!
Thanks for appreciating them.
Hi. I love the poem… an eerie interweaving of life and death… Jane
It was a real find and seemed appropriate.
The photos and mood is very, very nice and beautiful
Thanks Bente – at last we have some weather to compete with yours!