I loved the transformation here, Dave. And even more so, the recognition that we have so little control over what comes next, ave this isn't devastating, it's the source of rich curiosity. Here's to seeing old things as new things today.
Change is the only constant thing in life and I guess the real wisdom is moving gently with that. And the ability to find wonder everyday even in familiar territory. Lovely
I once volunteered as a seating Usher at the Dalai Lama’s White Lotus teaching - circa 2005 - while Dave juggled all the kids’ needs. I’m no Buddhist but I adored his thematic concept, “this too shall pass”. His talk encompassed everything good and bad we can think of; stressing the impermanence in perceiving life - the big, the little.
Ageing starts with the eyes - as all beautiful things do. It is a call from the Earth to experience its own life cycles. And why you see so much beauty as you grow older, my dear friend, and bring it to us to witness and also experience through your eyes. Love the poem! Even though I have been writing poems although shorter than you, but it has been a couple of years, and yet I still get surprised when I see beautiful poems, like you just wrote. It is so small and so beautiful. It gave me a tremendous dopamine hit. Thank you for the poem and the pictures you brought for your readers, my friend. Much love to you and Meg ❤️
You are welcome dear Naz. Your lovely comment warmed my otherwise pretty cool morning! I was going to write something longer, but it ended up as it is. Sometimes less is more, as they say.
You know - "wrinkles" almost made it into the poem. I was specifically thinking of my own as I wrote it.
Although I write extensively about nature, I have for years and years loved abandoned things and places, so I write about those too. Substack gives me the opportunity to mix text with image - and when I found the old winch by the harbour today (at least - I think it was once a winch) I found it irresistible.
Here's to transforming, friend Emily - and wrinkles!
Ha! Thanks my friend. This post is lagging significantly behind my average for "reads" and "likes" - but the people who do like it seem to really like it, and besides - it's what I wanted to write, so I did.
Self publishing here on Substack - or indeed anywhere - runs the risk of solipsism, but it is also liberating. There is a balance between caring too much about what other people think, and not caring at all. I find myself weaving around in between the two, somewhat unsteadily !! (For the record, I really DO care what you think) :)
Your way of seeing “becoming” instead of “decaying” is genuinely striking; the idea that oxidation is not destruction but a form of creation is exactly where beauty in writing deepens into insight.
I especially loved how you moved from atoms, rust, time, and change into something so human and tender: the truth that we are not merely growing older each day, but continuously transforming.
Your piece carries calm, depth, acceptance, and a kind of intellectual grace that makes a person want to read it again and notice even more.
This is not just beautiful writing; it is a beautiful way of seeing life.🦋💜
It is late evening here, at the end of a not so simple day, and your wonderful comment is itself an example of grace and generosity of spirit - a gift for which I am deeply grateful.
I send my sincere thanks.
If you find the time to read more of my work you will see that much of it - most - is deeply intertwined with the natural world, of which we are all a part, even those who try to ignore the fact. However I also have a fascination with the things we create and how they - like ourselves - eventually become something else.
I am in a city for a while, so a bit of "urban exploration" and observation has come back into my writing.
A good recent example, from just a few weeks ago, is "Doomsday - an Update!"
I loved the transformation here, Dave. And even more so, the recognition that we have so little control over what comes next, ave this isn't devastating, it's the source of rich curiosity. Here's to seeing old things as new things today.
Hey my friend. Yes - transformation….
The more I focus on observation and writing, the more I see transformation as a central theme of both existence, and our experience of existing.
I really must write something longer. Which means I have to stop talking about it and start doing it - as you are!
Hope you and the family are well.
Best Wishes - Dave
Commenting on Lamb's comment to keep the love evolving, Dave!
"Oxidation is not
destruction. This
is creation."
This flip in perspective was exactly what I needed today.
Thank you for the inspo to stay open.
Good morning dear Kaylen. You are always welcome. May your day find you surrounded by wonder....
Best Wishes - Dave
Change is the only constant thing in life and I guess the real wisdom is moving gently with that. And the ability to find wonder everyday even in familiar territory. Lovely
Thank you dear Sylvie. There are wonderful things everywhere. The pressures and sadnesses of life can make it hard to see them…
Best Wishes - Dave
I once volunteered as a seating Usher at the Dalai Lama’s White Lotus teaching - circa 2005 - while Dave juggled all the kids’ needs. I’m no Buddhist but I adored his thematic concept, “this too shall pass”. His talk encompassed everything good and bad we can think of; stressing the impermanence in perceiving life - the big, the little.
Absolutely, strange how one concept can completely change how you live, even if it takes a little while to understand it. 💙
Ageing starts with the eyes - as all beautiful things do. It is a call from the Earth to experience its own life cycles. And why you see so much beauty as you grow older, my dear friend, and bring it to us to witness and also experience through your eyes. Love the poem! Even though I have been writing poems although shorter than you, but it has been a couple of years, and yet I still get surprised when I see beautiful poems, like you just wrote. It is so small and so beautiful. It gave me a tremendous dopamine hit. Thank you for the poem and the pictures you brought for your readers, my friend. Much love to you and Meg ❤️
You are welcome dear Naz. Your lovely comment warmed my otherwise pretty cool morning! I was going to write something longer, but it ended up as it is. Sometimes less is more, as they say.
Best Wishes - Dave
Love this David. Love rusty things, love transforming, love my wrinkles.
Hi Emily.
Thank you. I'm delighted!
You know - "wrinkles" almost made it into the poem. I was specifically thinking of my own as I wrote it.
Although I write extensively about nature, I have for years and years loved abandoned things and places, so I write about those too. Substack gives me the opportunity to mix text with image - and when I found the old winch by the harbour today (at least - I think it was once a winch) I found it irresistible.
Here's to transforming, friend Emily - and wrinkles!
Best Wishes - Dave :)
It's a gorgeous photo and a gorgeous poem Dave :) I'm so glad I found it.
Wow! "Transforming" I totally agree with the end of your poem! I wish you a wonderful day!
Thanks, friend Nick!
Best Wishes - Dave :)
Dave, I love this poem. esp--We ourselves are ancient
atoms lego-blocked -
briefly interlocked.
That image. And it connects to my notion--that the supreme being is actually some bratty kid playing with building blocks. Indeed. Thank you for this.
Ha! Thanks my friend. This post is lagging significantly behind my average for "reads" and "likes" - but the people who do like it seem to really like it, and besides - it's what I wanted to write, so I did.
Self publishing here on Substack - or indeed anywhere - runs the risk of solipsism, but it is also liberating. There is a balance between caring too much about what other people think, and not caring at all. I find myself weaving around in between the two, somewhat unsteadily !! (For the record, I really DO care what you think) :)
Best Wishes - Dave :)
What a luminous piece of writing.
Your way of seeing “becoming” instead of “decaying” is genuinely striking; the idea that oxidation is not destruction but a form of creation is exactly where beauty in writing deepens into insight.
I especially loved how you moved from atoms, rust, time, and change into something so human and tender: the truth that we are not merely growing older each day, but continuously transforming.
Your piece carries calm, depth, acceptance, and a kind of intellectual grace that makes a person want to read it again and notice even more.
This is not just beautiful writing; it is a beautiful way of seeing life.🦋💜
Dear Bella
It is late evening here, at the end of a not so simple day, and your wonderful comment is itself an example of grace and generosity of spirit - a gift for which I am deeply grateful.
I send my sincere thanks.
If you find the time to read more of my work you will see that much of it - most - is deeply intertwined with the natural world, of which we are all a part, even those who try to ignore the fact. However I also have a fascination with the things we create and how they - like ourselves - eventually become something else.
I am in a city for a while, so a bit of "urban exploration" and observation has come back into my writing.
A good recent example, from just a few weeks ago, is "Doomsday - an Update!"
https://davidkirkby.substack.com/publish/post/198084154?back=%2Fpublish%2Fposts%2Fpublished
For pure nature... maybe this one:
https://davidkirkby.substack.com/publish/post/166419832?back=%2Fpublish%2Fposts%2Fpublished
Thank you again, Bella.
Best Wishes
Dave
Wonderful, Dave :)
"Everything around us is always and absolutely remarkable, if only we look. It is also constantly changing - as are we, even if we pretend otherwise."
So true, David. Beautifully said 🙏💓☀️
Thank you, dear Carawen.
Best Wishes - Dave
Becoming, ahhhh. You breathe such beauty into it for us Dave. Thank you always.
Thank you my friend. There is so much radiance, all around us, and often it is greatest in the things we disregard…
Best Wishes - Dave
YES!!!