Wednesday, February 18, 2009

VULNERABLE YOUTH


Being young is such a painful, vulnerable stage in life.
It was to all of us, I reckon.

This poem of William Butler Yeats has been "mine" since I discovered it at the age of nineteen.

When You Are Old and Grey

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;

And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.


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Visit teach Mary at http://sepiascenes.blogspot.com/

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely photo and a fine poem.

Ralph said...

That photo of you is wonderful. Things change as we grow, and sometimes fast, and vulnerable is apt here.

But age can bring out our fine attributes, too. Like not being so impulsive, as when we were young. Mot like a dignified discretion that we evolve to as we get older. A fine picture that makes me think a little harder...

Felisol said...

Ilandavita,
thanks for visiting.

Hello Ralph,
The photo is taken by me. It's our daughter at the age of fourteen.
The two of us were at a vacation at Rhodes.
Thanks for being so empathic.

From Felisol

EG CameraGirl said...

I like the poem, Felisol and can see why you've remembered it all these years. ;-)

My Sepia Scene is at
East Gwillimbury Wow

Mojo said...

I can't quite decipher the look on that young Felisol's face. Thoughtful? Angry? Hurt? I wonder if you even remember. But lovely applies, to be certain.

Regarding your comment, the target audience of my video wasn't judges and legislators. They already know all the statistics and in truth, they're in a poor position to do very much. My target audience is those who are still caught in abusive relationships and feel as if they have no way out. the message for them was in the last two titles:
"You are not alone...
and you don't have to live like this."

And my fondest hope is that somebody somewhere will see it and recognize the truth behind those words and somehow find the courage to get out.

Annie Jeffries said...

Too true Felisol. The older I get, the less I would want to be young again. Beautiful portrait.

Felisol said...

Hello EG Tour Guide,
The poem is THE poem to me.
They did not give Yeats the Nobleprize for nothing!

Hello,Mojo,
the girl on the picture is my daughter.
I shot the pic some 7 years ago.
I exactly remember how she felt at that time.
Mothers never forget that.

About the battered women;
In Norway, our tiny little nation, more than 80 women were killed by ex husbands last year.

They live in fear with an alarm, while the offenders walk round free.
Multiple violence criminals simply will not stop. They were the ones who should wear an alarm, signaling him being to near the victim.
The law must provide housing and secure future homes for the battered women, else there's a great danger they will end up dead.

Dear Annie, you and I were on each other's site simuntaniously.
Fun.

From Felisol

Anonymous said...

I really like the sepia shading in your photo - it's very nice!

Leora said...

It does look different in sepia. Gives her a haunting, classic look.

Vulnerable. Yes, youth are even more so than we are. "sorrows of your changing face"

dot said...

Your daughter is a beautiful young lady! I love the poem too. So true.
My sepia scene is

HERE

Rose said...

Both are so beautiful!

Melli said...

That is a lovely shot of your daughter -- but I think I prefer the soft color version... in sepia it looks a bit harsh. And yes... very sorrowful... changes the entire feel of the portrait.

Carletta said...

This is a lovely image of your daughter!
I love the sepia tone you gave it. A very classic look. I think this one should be framed!

Robin said...

I don't know, I wouldn't want to be young again. I've learned too much along the way to want to start all over again. (Though I wouldn't mind looking 25 again LOL.)

The photo is beautiful Felisol, as is your daughter. I really like the high contrast you chose in the first one.

Amrita said...

beautisepia editing Felisol.
I am learning this aspect of photography from you.

Serina the sweet little angel she looks in that photo is such a joy to your heart. You must miss her so.

I have read that poem and its very meaningful. I like Yeats.

How you you increase the size of the photos?

maryt/theteach said...

Felisol, oh this is so beautiful! MY husband gave me this poem some time ago, and I cry as I read it! Your sepia photo is incredible and gorgeous! Happy Sepia SCenes! :)

Jackie said...

What a lovely photo and wonderful words. I always enjoy portraits in sepia.

It seems to reveal more emotions than a color photo.

Great pick and wonderful post!!:-)

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for stopping by my page & commenting on my sepia photo - I had to remove my header photo because it was too large. I can't figure out how to make it smaller so that it fits on a regular size screen. But thanks you for your compliment!

Saija said...

you have such a beautiful daughter ...

does she share your love of poetry?

Christy said...

Nice job. It is beautiful the aged affect that the sepia image took on making the photo appear older than it is. Thanks for stopping by my blog and yes those woods just beckoned to be walked through. I look forward to a return visit this spring.

marLou said...

You did a great job on the sepia version. I really like the 2nd photo -- reminds me of a Polaroid shot which I've always like personally. Your daughter is lovely!

Renae said...

Hi Felisol! I hope you are doing well. As I look at the picture of young Serena, I see my own Charis, age 11, growing into a beautiful young woman. My heart rejoices and hurts for her.

Blessings to you, my friend!

Patti said...

Hi Felisol,
I thought that was your daughter. My husband thought it was you!
She is beautiful. She is 21 now? Our daughter is 20.

I love the poem.

Terry said...

Serina's birthday will be this Ruby Tuesday Felisol
I hope you ruby her up really fine!
She is such a lovely Princess!

PJ said...

I'm sorry I missed you last week, the meme was a little confusing without Mr Linky. I don't know who this young woman is but she's soulful and vulnerable all at the same time. The hue of the sepia and the high contrast is wonderful.