by William-Adolphe Bouguereau
If we’re lucky, we feel our lives,
Know when the next scene arrives,
So often we start in the middle and work our way out…
…If you’re lucky you find something that reflects you,
Helps you feel your life, protects you,
Cradles you and connects you to everything.
~ Dar Williams
♫ (The Hudson) ♫
Just look at that beautiful face. And I love the way she’s casually holding her ankle with her hand.
I love the way Bouguereau captures people in unguarded, unpretentious moments…
So sweet! Has she just stepped out of the brook? Waiting for her feet to dry before putting on shoes? I wonder…
Could be… but the people in so many of Bouguereau’s paintings are barefoot and I don’t see any shoes nearby… I suspect farmers and their families didn’t bother with shoes in the summer…
Hi,
I love the picture, so very nice, and just like a young girl to put flowers in her hair, especially so back when this picture was done.
Makes me think a little of the Led Zeppelin song, *Going to California.*
“Someone told me there’s a girl out there with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair.”
If we’re lucky… Beautiful illustration to go with beautiful words. What a gift you give us with your blog, Barbara!
Thanks, Kathy! The words resonate so deeply with me because I was stuck in the middle of disconnect for so long, but now feel lucky to have finally worked my way out into a connected life!
The words flowed so beautifully. Like the whispers of my heart, the poem spoke of its hope and longings. “…If you’re lucky you find something that reflects you,
Helps you feel your life, protects you,
Cradles you and connects you to everything.” Inspiring in so many ways…take care.
So happy you were inspired by Dar Williams’ words, Island Traveler… Her lovely songs are so honest and heartfelt – I hope I get to see her perform live someday…
I love the pensive expression on her face. I continue to be awed by the thoughtful way you pull art and poetry together.
Thank you, Sheryl! She does look lost in thought – would love to know what is going through her mind…
What a lovely post. You just put the icing on my day.
Thank you, Barbara! 😉
You’re very welcome, Jamie, and thanks so much for your kind words! 🙂
Oh, that is beautiful, Barbara. Thank you.
Thanks and you’re welcome, too, Ellen! 🙂
“Helps you feel your life…” ah yes, that’s just the way it should be, “feeling” your life.
I would be very happy to have this painting (or a copy, at least!) on a wall in my home. It’s very beautiful. 🙂
It is a most wonderful gift to find a way in life that feels right. I just did a search and found a print of the painting available at Amazon.com. Not sure if you have Amazon or something similar in Australia, but I bet you could find a print online somewhere. It’s an amazing thing that art is so easy to share and enjoy in this day and age!
Though the painting’s title may be purely descriptive, I find something as tentative about the girl, a child on the edge of growing up–a weariness in her eyes which speaks of having to be older than her years.
Such an exquisite painting…one to gaze on for a long time…and reach out and touch…and the lyrics are simple and wise. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Diane! After reading your comment I scrolled up to look at the painting again and suddenly I saw something familiar in the girl’s expression – the look I sometimes give the camera when my husband has taken one too many pictures of me…
I love Dar Williams’ songwriting…