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10 Jun 2008 • 209 views

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MY UTOPIA

HEVER CASTLE

EDENBRIDGE, KENT, ENGLAND

JUNE 7 2008

MY UTOPIA

There are times amidst this hectic life
When the plentitude of manic thoughts,
The pain of loss, in sorrow's lake
The valley of regret where all I should have said
Surrendered to my mortal failings,
And the seeds of my lies........
Are placed within the confines of a contemplative mind
As I journey to a place I know and love
A room of peaceful solitude and calm
My quiet space

Cloaked in sweet serenity, I am free to think alone
Myself, to dwell and ponder on
The majesty of divine solitude
Where I cannot be reached, disturbed nor harmed
I can find myself once more
Through the twisted wreckage of this, harsh life
To the inner man, that no one knows but I
And I am free to think, to feel, to see
With clarity and calm
And the world once more pristine and pure
Bathes me clean of all my tears

For I am safe in here, a King to rule
The master of my destiny
As the anger of this modern world
No longer haunts my waking hours
I breathe in fresh, unsullied air
And Sleepy ears awaken as
I turn the key, unlock the door
And step back into reality, the here and now
To face once more, this hectic life
Rejuvenated in my quiet space

My Utopia

Written June 8 2008 by Paul Williams

camera	NIKON D300
exposure mode	shutter priority
shutterspeed	1/200s
aperture	f/7.1
sensitivity	ISO200
focal length	58.0mm
resolution	1063x1600 pixels

MY UTOPIA

HEVER CASTLE

EDENBRIDGE, KENT, ENGLAND

JUNE 7 2008

MY UTOPIA

My Utopia

Written June 8 2008 by Paul Williams

comments (20)

Alexandra

Canada

10 Jun 2008, 00:20

I wanted to reach into the shot, and pinch his bottom! ;-)

FLOOG: Ha ha... I wonder how many people have gently stroked that bottom over the last few centuries! Many thanks for dropping by and commenting

Ginnie

Atlanta, GA, United States

10 Jun 2008, 01:39

A poet amongst us...spoken with clarity and shown with focus of vision. Thanks for sharing like this, Paul.

FLOOG: Thank you Ginnie

Mary MacADNski

Prince Edward Island

10 Jun 2008, 02:18

I'd like my utopia to be that too. Well said.

Love the photo too. The vast array of textures gives a lot to look at and this combined with the deep poetry...well done.

FLOOG: Thanks Mary, I'm very pleased that you like it.

ray

Thailand

10 Jun 2008, 02:24

So...a quiet night at home on the couch with the missus and kids, sharing a bag of crisps, while looking in on the trials and tribulations of the Soap Opera family...this is not sanctuary enough for you, Paul?

This is a beautiful garden, for sure, and your depiction of it is wondrous. But, it is perplexing:
* why allow the weary seeker of sanctuary to see this beautiful bed of soft, green grass, but then cruelly bar his final step with the denying chain...its like the TV program that showcases holiday destinations for the richest 1% of our populations.

Your gorgeous poem is richly laced with the most painful images of pain, and most soothing images of the balm available in this imagined sanctuary...Great Stuff!

FLOOG: Hi Ray, I wanted to nip over and remove the chain just for the shot, but I don't think the wardens would have looked too favourably on my antics....LOL. Sadly without it, the kids would have trampled the lush grass and people would have been picnicing and littering everywhere.

You know, the bag of crisps with the TV and missus does have it's appeal, especially Barbecue steak flavour with some cubes of mature cheddar cheese......

Thanks for commenting matey

Michael Rawluk

Canada

10 Jun 2008, 03:38

There is nothing better that letting your naked butt enjoy a little sunshine.

FLOOG: ....a pint of cider, a fat Cuban Havana and an evening with Catherine Deneuve might run it close though! LOL

Many thanks for commenting Michael

Scotia

Fife Scotland

10 Jun 2008, 06:45

Very well written Paul. Great image, exposure is first class well done.

FLOOG: That's most kind Scotia, many thanks

Bill Phillips

United Kingdom

10 Jun 2008, 08:50

Puts me in mind of a Gordon Lightfoot song. "That same old obsession". It starts

I come to this garden
I come here to rest
early each day upon rising

FLOOG: Gordon lightfoot, now there's a blast from the past! "If you could read my mind" was always my fave. Oh and "Sundown". Now I'll have to 'Limewire' the one you mentioned Bill.....

vintage

Australia

10 Jun 2008, 10:57

Great photo a good skill and a poet such talent.well framed excellent colours well done Paul

FLOOG: Hey Vintage, that is praise indeed and very kind of you. Many thanks for commenting

Chantal

Netherlands

10 Jun 2008, 11:18

great look-through window this way

FLOOG: Thank you Chantal

sherri

United States

10 Jun 2008, 15:07

Lovely words to accompany such a peaceful looking garden.

FLOOG: Hi Sherri, and many thanks for taking the time to drop by and comment

Sheila

Spain mostly, Enland a little

10 Jun 2008, 17:16

Lovely photo of one of the Kent castles that I have never been to. Maybe next time I am there. I don't think the chain spoils the photo - it sort of adds to forbidden pleasures. But if it offends you, couldn't you clone it out?

FLOOG: Hi Sheila, and many thanks for commenting.

I'm not one for editing things out, I kind of like them natural apart from a little selective colouring, so like yourself, I don't mind the chain staying.

tim

leeds uk

10 Jun 2008, 17:18

well i feel almost the same way after a walk round some fabulous country side i don't won't to go back to the reality of the daily mundane grind lol. Fabulous stuff Paul, i am sure there must be a book round the corner for you and the images to go with them.

FLOOG: Hi Tim, funnily enough I've just had my final rejection from publishers for my adult novel. This follows a fifteen year break from writing because of my previous failure to be accepted by any publishers or agents.

It's just not going to happen for me. So, I will no longer worry about it, and just enjoy writing for fun as life is too short to get stressed. I enjoy writing nonsense to go with my photographs here, and so long as that's the case, I'll continue.

Richard Standley

France

10 Jun 2008, 17:34

You are a talented poet Paul. Very well written indeed.
Lovely picture with these colours contrast!

FLOOG: Thank you Richard, that's very kind of you to say so.

A day after receiving my last chance rejection from yet another of the hundreds of agents who simply don't rate my literary work, your words come at a perfect time to make me feel a little better about myself.

Thank you sir.

Dr A. W!

Nigeria

10 Jun 2008, 18:56

well composed

i almost feel like a voyeur

FLOOG: Hi Dr A.W!, and many thanks for taking the time to drop by and comment.

I myself have never been into voyeurism, though I have to admit the gentleman in the photo does have a very nice derrier for someone who is two hundred years old.... LOL

Astrid

Netherlands

10 Jun 2008, 19:29

'a pint of cider, a fat Cuban Havana and an evening with Catherine Deneuve'
Paul, you are pleased very easy...LOL...great poem, impressive, I really like your words.
I know...I know...I love the sight of this well shaped 'behind', great composition.

FLOOG: Astrid, yes I'm rather jealous that his derrier has not gone South like mine! And he's even older than me... the shame of it LOL.

Many thanks as always, for commenting. Your words are much appreciated.

Fabrice

France

10 Jun 2008, 19:32

I like the "profondeur de champs", colour and clarity of your shot !! Superb shot, Paul.

FLOOG: Good evening Fabrice, As with many words 'depth of field' sounds so much more poetic in French.

Thank you for commenting.

Mrs T

10 Jun 2008, 20:24

I love this picture Paul. Particularly the way the door frames the picture and the contrast between the red brickwork, flowers and then the green surronding the.. um.... very attractive focal point!

With a picture like this and, as ever, your wonderful words I feel pretty rejuvenated myself.

Forget the literary agents this is your audience.

FLOOG: Good evening JT, and thanks you so much for dropping by and taking the time to comment.

I'm glad you like it. And yes, I really am not bothered about the agents any more. Back to the reality of everything in life for fun, which is much more in keeping with my personal philosophy.

Kathryn

South

10 Jun 2008, 22:37

It seems to me what haunts you is yourself..."valley of regrets where all I should have said," "the seeds of my lies,"...I don't know much, but I would be willing to wager that you will follow yourself into your private world and those regrets and lies will sneak into your pondering and solitude and wage a private war.

Tears alone do not wash a man and make him pristine and pure.

It has been said that there is no rest for the wicked ;-)

FLOOG: Yes indeed Kathryn, you have me there. I have found that the pondering and the tears do help with coming to terms with certain chapters of my past.

An excellent comment, many thanks

Brian Walbey

United Kingdom

12 Jun 2008, 19:26

Great picture enhanced by the poem Paul. Almost like a secret garden behind the gates.

FLOOG: Many thanks, Brian. I'm glad that you like it. Yes, it does feel like a secret place.

Ade of AdaeCreative

United States

19 Jun 2008, 01:31

I wonder if you see a story before you take a pic because pics are well composed and musician(camera) plays its part. Great Pictures. Great story

I think the flowers create a second arch with the statue when you look at it a certain way

FLOOG: Hi Ade. It's almost always photograph first, and words coming later with me. I sit and look at the finished composition and then just let my imagination take over. Sometimes the words are screaming out at me, and other times they take a while to float by... ha ha

Many thanks for your comments

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