I Like Ducks

At first, the ducks sunning themselves on this big round rock seemed intrigued by myself and the kayak, but as I drifted nearer, they decided to vamoose.  I restrained myself and kept my distance more strictly with waterfowl the rest of the day.

Tahoe Kayaking

Fount Of Wisdom, Well Of Compassion

I've always imagined the Grail to be made of clay.

Swell Time

"Kindness Flows": More From Archilochos

In time of shame,
Can you spare me the evil?
Kindness flows both ways.
Woman, woman,
Why do you keep me here,
Why this road, of all,
And why do you care at all?

----------

How many times,
How many times,
On the gray sea,
The sea combed
By the wind
Like a wilderness
Of woman's hair,
Have we longed,
Lost in nostalgia,
For the sweetness
Of homecoming.

----------

There's nothing now
We can't expect to happen!
Anything at all, you can bet,
Is ready to jump out at us.
No need to wonder over it.
Father Zeus has turned
Noon to night, blotting out
The sunshine utterly,
Putting cold terror
At the back of the throat.
Let's believe all we hear.
Even that dolphins and cows
Change place, porpoises and goats,
Rams booming along in the offing,
Mackerel nibbing in the hill pastures.
I wouldn't be surprised,
I wouldn't be surprised.

--Archilochos



from Guy Davenport's 7 Greeks: Translations,
A New Directions Book: New York, 1995.

Illustration: outtake from the previous blog entry: "Water Bowl".

Water Bowl

Bowl: Stoneware/Navajo Wheel recycled clay-mix; floating blue, transparent brown, and denim glazing.

Red Board, Ready To Go

This kid was going for the good ones: boogie boarding. Here's he's jamming to get in a better position as the next set approaches.

Another shot of that kid: he's cresting one wave as he heads towards the best position for the next. (He made me feel slow, as I kicked along with my fins.)

If you click on the picture, you can see the crest of one wave with the kid at the apex, and then the crest of the next wave behind the first. The two waves have slightly different textures and colors here.

Waiting for a good wave, waiting for his turn.