So I was surprised when so many left comments in which they'd obviously assumed I'd intended to bemoan a life which left no mark. In reality, I have no doubt that my existence has added its quota of ingredients to the melting pot of life, which will ensure my being part of the final concoction, be it appetising or no, as the Great Cook in the Sky wills.
In keeping with this thought, and for Sepia Saturday addicts everywhere, here is a photo of a gentleman whom I believe to be the younger brother of my maternal grandmother. As far as I know, a relatively early death precluded his founding an ongoing dynasty, but nobody can gainsay the love which inspired his sister to guard his portrait for all her eighty nine years, and the outreaching love that I am able to extend in order to write about him here and display his handsome face.
He has very distinguished look about him, doesn't he? What sort of date do you think was taken at? He has to be late Victorian - early Edwardian. A fine photograph in any event.
ReplyDeleteVery handsome! Oh, all the might-have-beens...the cousins you never had because he died young. So interesting to speculate...
ReplyDeleteA dashing chap!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Jinksy, what stories these old sepia prints could tell, if only we knew.
ReplyDeleteHe is a handsome young man. She probably was still close to him if he died young. They were probably in touch with each other all the while. Quite an interesting hairdo.
ReplyDeleteQMM
I loved your poem yesterday, and I don't think of it as 'bemoaning' anything. A quiet reflection, as you describe it, is exactly how I read it.
ReplyDeleteIt is also the sort of thing that looking at a photograph as the one you show here today could bring forth.
I love quiet reflection, so much more comfortable than noisy clatter.
Friko -
ReplyDeleteThat's because you too have the mind of a poet, and met me on level ground!
Hi, Jinksy. This is a neat post about ancient relative. Might he be the subject of your A Silent Place?
ReplyDeleteFor sure I haven't lived a silent life being a college teacher. Thank goodness even if I can no longer hide!
Thank you for visiting my little 140 character story. I appreciate your peeking in and you are very welcome to come back.
That said, I will not be posting much this next week as we are taking a week holiday in Quebec.
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BTW, I generally compose a little rhyme (or not) for One Single Impression and Wednesday Haiku and an occasional acrostic poem. These groups write on prompts. Being in a group almost insures a few readers which helps my feelings.
That was background. What I wanted to tell you is that I compose on the keyboard. My fingers type, count, and mark rythm. I could not tell by your 'about me' whether you composed on the keyboard or not.
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A dashing young man. Pity he didn't have a long life. Maybe today (if he could have been born in this day and age) it might have been different.
ReplyDeleteSisters do cherish their brothers (usually!)
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Handsome is right!
ReplyDeleteHe looks like a poet.
a nice photo of a handsome man. thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteIndeed a very handsome man. Sad that he died young. Just one of the hazards of our ancestors.
ReplyDeleteHe definitely has a poetic look about him. Though he passed away at a young age, it looks like he was old enough to have accomplished some things in life. I wonder if your grandmother told you about him.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo. I can easily imagine him riding in a carriage, young lady by his side. Very debonair.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that the handsome man has been remembered. Forever young in memory.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful that his photo has been kept all these years and that he has never been forgotten.
ReplyDeleteOh he has a face so full of life, so full of character, he will have no doubt left his full quota of ingredients. And stay in a poetic mood - I like it.
ReplyDeleteThe photographer got a great photo here. What a radiant face.
ReplyDeleteHe is so captivating. Such a handsome face...and that hair! I can picture him smiling, knowing that you are keeping his memory alive.
ReplyDeleteNice photo at first I thought it was a sketch. What was his name, where did he live briefly it sounds. I like you poetic analogy to the great cook in the sky too!
ReplyDelete"Yesterday's short poem highlighted for me how differently a poetic mind works - or at least, as much a one as I possess."
ReplyDeleteIt highlights nothing of the sort. It highlights this. That as soon as you finish the poem and post it, you hand over interpretation of it to readers, who will invest it with as many "meanings" as there are readers.
I think we can all agree that WS was a poet? Read Prospero's little speech from the last act of "The Tempest" beginning "Our revels now are ended" What do you think WS wanted it to "mean", and how many different "meanings" can you find in it?