Upon forest floor



Upon forest floor, originally uploaded by Thorsten Becker.

Here is where I see, here is where I am, here is where I feel the closest to earthen realm. Here is where my roots reach deep, where no concrete pummels my feet. Here is where I can be all I can be, free from asphalt and gasoline, from mechanical noise and artificial toys. Here is where my heart beats calmly in the forest breeze so balmy. This is where my soul belongs, this is where I listen to those songs, music of the leaves and swaying branches, far away from urban trenches. And as I walk with careful step I look below and see worlds that hidden from our eyes here grow. Thus

On my knees I sit
Watching tiny wonderlands
Upon forest floor

© Thorsten Becker

It has been some time

Idyllic times, originally uploaded by Thorsten Becker.

Some time has passed since I last wrote on my blog as I was taking an inspirational break. Now that I felt it was time again to continue I thought about all the many things time is and does even though it is neither an entity nor a tangible resource. Consider this: time is of the essence, time is needed, time can move swiftly, or slowly, time can pass without us noticing, time can heal all wounds even though it is not a doctor, time is precious even though we can’t touch, produce or harvest it. We often need more time, we frequently wonder where time went even though it doesn’t go anywhere. We can have good times and bad times, we can have the time of our life or the worst time of it all. For those very precious moments time even stops but sometimes there just isn’t enough time. At times we wish we could buy more time or sell some of our own. Over time things can grow, mature and fully ripen while they can also decay and cease to exist. Time can reveal the true meaning of something but things can also be lost in time. Certain things and people may be stuck in time while other are ahead of their time. Time can be measured yet it has no breadth nor depth. Time can be cruel, ruthless and unforgiving. Time marches on without any regard for us yet time can be on our side. The word time is very dominant in the English language such as in sometimes, many times, multiple times, x times y, time and again, etc.

Time is indeed a most curious thing that we desperately try to define and grasp yet it consistently eludes us. What I take from it all personally is to ensure I always buy out the opportune time and make the best of any situation. Because time only moves forward and so do we.

A note about the photo: For many years I’ve wanted to own pocket watch thus finally I thought it was – time – to purchase one. So I went treasure hunting on eBay and found this fully functional English fusee watch manufactured in 1856, housed in a sterling silver case (fully hallmarked English silver), at a very affordable price. The seller I purchased it from resides in England and guarantees all his watches as he services them himself. If you are interested in one have a look at his auctions. I will be posting pictures of the movement in the future; I also plan on using it as a prop for my Lucian story (which I am very determined to publish in the near future).

The book the watch is resting on is Lord Alfred Tynneson’s “Idylls of the King”, this edition published around 1906 and illustrated with Gustav Dore’s illustrations from an earlier Moxon edition. I am very much looking forward to taking time out, once I find the time, to read it. I am sure I will have a good time.

Urban Jewel

Urban Jewel, originally uploaded by Thorsten Becker.

What have we done to our dwelling places
Our living spaces?
Where has all the beauty gone?
Gone
Stripped away without any traces
Blank facades like blank stares on blank faces
No expressions, no desire, nothing to admire, hollow egressions
From which we emerge, from which we come out, but do not go forth
What mighty force
Has banished all the intricacies
And left us with useless fallacies
Twisted explanations of why such bland monotony
Is such a great philosophy
When in reality it is but neotony
Where things no longer fully mature
“No no, it is just so demure”
They do assure
For sure
We’ve lost much of our identity
In this succinctly streamlined amenity
“The things before, they were such vanity”
No, I say, it was sanity
Great examples of our ingenuity
Those stones and carvings
Arches and awnings
All those faces
Watching us with tender gazes
Those urban jewels
Crafted by master’s tools
Bring them back I plead
Don’t want to accept, don’t want to concede
For how we adorn a house
Reflects the ideals we espouse

© Thorsten Becker

On the other side

On the other side, originally uploaded by Thorsten Becker.

On the other side
There is a light
On the other side
That’s where it’s bright
On the other side
There is much delight
I can smell the ocean breeze
Coming through with such ease
I can feel the sunshine warm and tender
Touching my face with summer’s splendor
It is all on the other side, the other side, it’s not right
And so I stand and wonder, watch and linger
As if through unknown forces entrance is denied
Should I carefully touch with just one finger
As I stand and peer through keyhole rock?
Or should I pass on through
Onto
Unlock
The chains of doubt and fear?
Thus it is here where I decide
If I should go on to the other side
Where there is a light
Sunshine bright

© Thorsten Becker

The white tower

The white tower, originally uploaded by Thorsten Becker.

Mercury cold light
Flowing from the white tower
Encases my soul

Restless, motionless
Heart beats, mind retreats, eyes shut
Eternity, born

Sweet noises trickle
Gentle music of the stars
Here it all begins

© Thorsten Becker

Inspired by Andreas Vollenweider’s “White Winds” album. It was the cover of this album that initially piqued my interest, the music did the rest (about 20 years ago).