Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
Mary Oliver, via 1
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
Mary Oliver, via 2
The Outfit
Mohair Hooded Wolf Dress: from Topshop Unique, in the years I shopped there
Black Slip Dress: at least 20 years old from M&S,
I've been wearing this since I was in my mid teens ( I used to wear it to clubs as a see-through dress with lingerie, necklaces and DMs during my adolescent Courtney Love grunge phase)
Black Double Belt: from a high street shop, can't remember which
Hunter Wellies: from Ebay
The Soundtrack
P J Harvey:
Let England Shake
All photographs taken by me using the self timer on my cheap old digital camera
I love that! Emalina, you always inspire me to hang onto the pieces that I am considering letting go of. I wish I had some of the things I wore way back when! Be still my heart. I have taken to packing vintage suitcases with things and stacking them. It's so much fun to pull it all out later! You are so beautiful!! xoxo Lynn
ReplyDeleteAh thanks Lynn! I bet those vintage suitcases full of your old things are real treasure troves! I do love wearing my old clothes from my teenage years, although sadly only a few have lasted this long - I went through a jumble sale phase purging myself of many old things when I moved to Devon, and like you I wish I'd kept them now! And thanks for your lovely compliment, from one beautiful woman to another :)
DeleteRegardless of your description of your camera, it captured the light beautifully! I adore a dress with a sense of humour and your lovely layering, and Mary Oliver too. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the photos Amber. It's a very strange camera, refuses to take clear pictures unless I'm outdoors, so fingers crossed the pictures will get better as the weather turns into spring. Mary Oliver is inspiring isn't she :)
DeleteI love the print of your dress. It enhances your figure and makes you one with the wild nature.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pics, Emalina.
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Thanks so much for your kind words dear Sacramento! I do feel at one with the wild when I'm out there in the wood in my wolf dress. Every woman should embrace her wild confident nature rather than feel confined to an ideal of female perfection which is so prevalent in our society and just breeds insecurity if you ask me.
DeleteLovely photos. That's my first encounter with Mary Oliver, thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh she is a wonderful poet, I only discovered her recently myself and am so glad I did! So glad you like the photos.
DeleteGreetings. I would like to pass The Liebster award on to you. I was just awarded it and had to choose 11 other blogs to pass the award along to.
ReplyDeleteNo worries if it is not something you are interested in, I just wanted to pass it along to you as I really enjoy reading your blog.
Details of the award and how it works can be found back on my blog at www.micimuddyboots.blogspot.co.uk
Happy New Year and Best Wishes, Mici.
Hello Mici, great to meet you! I'm really honoured that you've nominated for the award, and that you enjoy my blog, thank you so much. I'm looking forward to answering your questions and writing about myself plus listing my fave little blogs in my next post :)
DeleteAlso I'm glad to have now found your lovely blog! Love the photos of your christmas decorations - looks like you're very creative to make such gorgeous decorations by hand (and out of old loo rolls, that's real talent!).
Wishing you a very happy New Year and a wonderful 2013 ahead!
I love the energy and spirit of this post! I'd never heard of Mary Oliver before, but that first quote is really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in response to your comment on my blog, I think it is incredible that your grandma was a couturier in the 1930's! She probably has the most incredible collection of clothing (and stories), and I'd love to hear more about her and the clothes she made! (The 1930's-1950's are some of my favorite years in terms of fashion.)
How lovely to hear from you Christy, thanks for your kind words about this post.
DeleteSadly all my grandparents passed away a few years ago, but as I'm the only granddaughter all their amazing clothes have been kept by me, and yes I have some totally gorgeous couture pieces made by Kiki. I'm planning on showing plenty more in posts to come, but to give you a flavour of Kiki's designs you can look at my posts called Into The Woods: Halloween 2012; Paris Stories: Le Soir; & In The Winter Garden - all of which showcase her beautiful work.
p.s. I love your new short curly hairstyle! Happy New Year to you!
Lovely photos, as always. The light through the trees is gorgeous. I have never heard of Mary Oliver before, I must investigate. xxxx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Curtise! I can recommend Mary Oliver, a brilliant modern American poet with an uplifting, beautiful style, a bit like a happier Anne Sexton.
Deleteoh and I forgot to say Happy New Year to you!
Deletewow what a magical fairy shot! the light is soooo beautiful! i wish you all the best for 2013 darling!
ReplyDeletekiss,mary
Yay I'm really pleased you like the post Mary Lou! Sunset at this time of year is magical.
DeleteWishing you a very Happy New Year and a great 2013 to come!
Lovely photos, you picked the best time to take them! The lighting makes everything look wonderfully eerie!
ReplyDeleteAh thanks so much, that was the look I was after :) Happy New Year!
DeleteI do love a forest romp. The dramatic tree silhouettes are gorgeous! Sarah xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah, yes don't the branches look like spindly arms reaching up into the sky. Happy New Year to you!
DeleteWhat a lovely, special dress (I love a dress with a hood). And of course, gorgeous photos for us to enjoy. Thanks for sharing it all with Visible Monday.
ReplyDeleteDresses with hoods feel very mysterious and romantic don't they! Thanks very much Patti!
DeleteI love the wolf's face. I find it so enchanting that you are wearing a hooded outfit in the forest. I can't help but think of Little Red Riding Hood even though your dress is a neutral shade. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI thought of her too, and woodland witches. So glad you enjoyed it Sue.
DeleteYou offer beautiful surprises. The dramatic photos, Mary Oliver, the forest and you in the hooded dress with its gorgeous pattern. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of fairy tales and a celebration of the strength and earthiness of femininity. I'm really pleased you like it, thanks for the lovely compliments!
DeleteLovely photos:)
ReplyDelete