Without Lifting A Finger

 "I can't talk much, and have never learnt to embellish my speech with literary graces. On the other hand, I cat, Krestyan Ivanovitch; on the other hand, I act, Krestyan Ivanovitch."

Couple of new poems -- Three Pieces and Second Time -- are currently up at Otoliths. Hope you'll check 'em out. https://the-otolith.blogspot.com/2022/06/r-l-swihart.html?m=1 #rlswihart13 #poetry #otoliths #threepieces #secondtime #readmorepoetry2022

Before all things I hastened to the Carità. I had found in Palladio's works that he had planned a monastic building here, in which he intended to represent a private residence of the rich and hospitable ancients. The plan, which was excellently drawn, both as a whole and in detail, gave me infinite delight, and I hoped to find a marvel. Alas! scarcely a tenth part of the edifice is finished. However, even this part is worthy of that heavenly genius. There is a completeness in the plan, and an accuracy in the execution, which I had never before witnessed. One ought to pass whole years in the contemplation of such a work. It seems to me that I have seen nothing grander, nothing more perfect, and I fancy that I am not mistaken.

In the church of the Eremitani I have seen pictures by Mantegna, one of the older painters, at which I am astonished. What a sharp, strict actuality is exhibited in these pictures! It is from this actuality, thoroughly true, not apparent, merely and falsely effective, and appealing solely to the imagination, but solid, pure, bright, elaborated, conscientious, delicate, and circumscribed—an actuality which had about it something severe, credulous, and laborious; it is from this, I say, that the later painters proceeded (as I remarked in the pictures of Titian), in order that by the liveliness of their own genius, the energy of their nature illumined at the same time by the mind of the predecessors, and exalted by their force, they might rise higher and higher, and elevated above the earth, produce forms that were heavenly indeed, but still true. Thus was art developed after the barbarous period.

How the Basilica of Palladio looks by the side of an old castellated kind of a building, dotted all over with windows of different sizes (whose removal, tower and all, the artist evidently contemplated),—it is impossible to describe—and besides I must now, by a strange effort, compress my own feelings, for, I too, alas! find here side by side both what I seek and what I fly from.

It causes us so agreeable a sensation to occupy ourselves with what we can only half do, that no person ought to find fault with the dilettante, when he is spending his time over an art which he can never learn; nor blame the artist if he chooses to pass out over the border of his own art, and amuse himself in some neighboring field.

Relationships are like chemical reactions: Her own position in Edward’s affection, Charlotte thought she could soon recover; and she settled it all, and laid it all out before herself so sensibly that she only strengthened herself more completely in her delusion, as if it were possible for them to return within their old limits,—as if a bond which had been violently broken could again be joined together as before.

Yellow-crowned Night Herons (I've never shot them in water before). Morning in Brookhurst Marsh. About one week ago.  #rlswihart13 #huntingtonbeach #brookhurstmarsh #heronsofinstagram #yellowcrownednightheron #nightheron #nature #beauty #poetry #readmorepoetry2022 #quadrantmagazine #ukraine #tgif 🇺🇦

“Now then,” interposed Edward, “till we see all this with our eyes, we will look upon the formula as an analogy, out of which we can devise a lesson for immediate use. You stand for A, Charlotte, and I am your B; really and truly I cling to you, I depend on you, and follow you, just as B does with A. C is obviously the captain, who at present is in some degree withdrawing me from you. So now it is only just that if you are not to be left to solitude, a D should be found for you, and that is unquestionably the amiable little lady, Ottilie. You will not hesitate any longer to send and fetch her.”

Northern Red Bishop @ Santa Ana River in OC (between Gisler & Adams). Best shot of the morning (angling down into the green riverbed through chain link fence). Will go back for more.:) #rlswihart13 #orangecounty #oc #santaanariver #greenrivers #redbishopsofinstagram #northernredbishop #nature #photography #birds #notjustanybird #beauty #poetry #readmorepoetry2022 #ukraine 🇺🇦

Two new poems in Quadrant Magazine July-Aug: "Next Good Read" and "This Side." Unfortunately you'd have to subscribe (read online and/or download the PDF). I should also like to acknowledge Mr. Barry Spurr, Poetry Editor @ Quadrant. He has been kind to my work. https://quadrant.org.au/magazine/ #rlswihart13 #poetry #nextgoodread #thisside #quadrantmagazine #readmorepoetry2022