preface: in the sanctuary of the soul
Seeing
by lee anne morgan
One eagle soars over wind-tossed tree tops. A slow, steady rain drips from the Studio gutter onto an empty cedar bench. Birdsong prevails as they circle dry places. A lone silver fox stops on its trek to somewhere and stares at me. We lock gazes. He moves on; I stay. The cedar bench remains empty yet my eyes are full for they have been walked upon.
The day I wrote this poem in my Studio I had just completed work on the last of my images for my Photo-Journal Chronicles, which you are reading now. The lone silver fox presented a mirror image of myself … silver-tinged hair, solitary in my existence, and content in the “sanctuary of my soul”. It was not happenstance that he crossed my path that day. We communicated when we locked gazes and I believe he was my muse for these chronicles.
I love my work – the job that has been given me to do: to create, to share, to celebrate the mysteries and miracles that abound in our world. They may be as small as a frail petal, a brittle twig, or as grand and boisterous as the ocean’s roar or a cloud formation readying for a storm. I choose to present beauty and haunting mystery in my images so that the viewer is stirred deep within their own inner sanctuary, offering solace (if needed) and a respite from the world’s stimulus, busyness, and as Thomas Merton called it, “the violence of our times.”
I still write by hand. These chronicles are drafted with fountain pen on paper. The sound of the pen on paper making its strokes, curves and angles is a form of meditation for me. Though the mixed blessing of technology enables me to bring these writings and images to you, these “chronicles” in their roots are a ”hand crafted” presentation … the writing and, of course, the images.
Within two days of this writing, I begin another journey up the coast of Maine to spend time in Acadia National Park, Schoodic Point, Southwest Harbor, and whatever other jewels of discovery present themselves. I leave the sacred space of my Studio where the love and labor of this year’s photographic work for By Land and Sea, and other projects thus far, reside on the “viewing” wall. Only fifteen images remain after 2,500 photos were taken.
The Studio Wall
Please, stay with me for awhile, have a cup of tea, and join me as I share my journeys in and around known and unknown places. Or, revisit periodically when you have more time. I hope you enjoy my music in words and images. These are my gifts to you …
Click here for the latest posts to my Photo-Journal Chronicles
Beautiful imagery and wonderful words make this day a delicious beginning.
I’m looking forward to more!
Gorgeous images.
I love the Arcadia area.
Your work captures the essence of the moment.
Congratulations, Lee Anne! Looking forward to seeing and reading more. The site looks great, and your work is beautiful.