Happy Holidays to All by anahata.c
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Description
The image is Fall. But it has meaning. It's 3 blocks from my home, the park looking into the center of the city, one of the most densely populated areas in America... Many years ago, I'd walk to this area from the northern-tip of Chicago: It was 2 or 3 hours by foot. And as you approached, the high-rise district would burgeon before you like a mountain range, cloistered, towering and---from a distance---booming upwards like someone had squeezed the city until it shot a huge mushroom patch miles into the sky. These trees miraculously softened the slap-in-your-face impact of the skyline; made it intimate, warm, gentle...so when you entered the streets and all those tree-canopied walkways (which you've seen in my gallery numerous times), you felt as if you'd been hugged, as if the city donned its most beautiful gowns just for you, before you hit the massive, confounding, stunning and jaw-dropping jungle that is downtown urban America. So why post this for the holidays? Because it was a blessing in the midst of the jungle. Light in the middle of everything. Because I spent hours walking with some of the dearest people of my life, in this park, old girlfriends, my closest friends, fellow artists, people I worked and lived with for years. Because the trees imparted so much warmth they reminded us to be warm, to be more loving, more kind. A little west of here---to your right---is Second City, the founding improvisational company of the 20th Century, alongside the neighborhood where so many famous Chicago Theater people lived and worked. I had my first piano lessons nearby, with Europeans who'd left the horrors of 2 World Wars to find a new life in our strange cities; and who taught me, through arduous training, how to mix inspiration with excruciating technical perfection as well as love for those who'd come before. I met Beethoven here, Bach, Stravinsky, Schubert: not in person, but in heart. And often, after those grueling lessons, I'd walk through these trees to digest what I'd just learned, a few blocks west, where my teachers shouted, "more! more! reach for the stars! this is art, it's inspiration, it's not a kid's game..." It was here, too that I saw people feeding the homeless, for the first time, and feeding the animals too, as the winter blasted off the Lake and covered this place in unbelievable chills and ice. I learned, early on, how much love existed even in a city. That's why I post this for the season... With the dark season upon us---for those in the northern hemisphere---I wish light to everyone. And above all, I wish love, even if your life has pain in it, loss, struggle, great fatigue. I wish that the season carries genuine light and love for all of you, and that it continues past the season and into the rest of your lives...A beauty-filled holiday to all with much light, gratitude and love, Mark (I'll start the dedis after the holidays. Everyone should be back by then...)
Comments (17)
romanceworks
It is amazing how a touch of nature brings humanity to a city of concrete and steel. Thanks for sharing this beautiful photo and your beautiful memories, reminding us that all the seasons, and all of life, is about love. Wishing you a blessed holiday and beyond, Mark. CC
durleybeachbum
What a marvellous photo, Mark, and so enriched and embroidered by you wonderful narrative!
LivingPixels
Its like you described it mark a veritable oasis in a jungle you have such a beautiful and eloquent turn of phrase thats almost mesmeric my friend. I always enjoy immensely your detailed descriptions on any subject!! This is a most excellent capture mark mayyou too have a memorable and wonderful holiday period and may your peace and happiness continue into the future and beyond and long may you continue to touch us with your awesome personage!!
dragonmuse
Really beautiful capture. I adore fall colours.
lyron
Wonderful colors and image. Happy Holidays!!!
MrsRatbag
Mark, this piece of your city is truly YOUR city; no one else can see it like this, except through the framework of your eyes. You find the colours within the colours, the shapes of the true buildings, the little artistic flourishes that the architects and builders thought to add, just out of love...I love it!
sandra46
SUPERLATIVE IMAGE!
goodoleboy
I was so engrossed in your heartfelt paean to the city, of your acquaintances, your musical education, inspirations, etc., that I almost forgot to scrutinize this excellent photograph, replete with the gorgeous fall colors and clarity of the flora, strikingly contrasted against the hard cold background of man's handiwork, Mark. Happy Holidays to you this season. Incidentally, speaking of feeding the animals, I recently read that there are approximately 2000 coyotes surviving in the general outskirts of Chicago, not exactly living off of the handouts from humans, but doing their own hunting for food, especially of rats, vermin and the like.
npauling
This park is a real gem inside the city and I love how you have described how many memories it has for you. It looks delightful in the fall and the colours are very beautiful. I wonder if you are still able to play the music now with your hands, I hope you can. I hope also that you have a very happy Christmas and New Year too.
photosynthesis
Love the warm autumn tones, especially the oranges, as well as that area of bright whiteness that makes those windows look like they're floating in mid-air. Very eloquent & generous words to go with them & I wish you the same in return...
magnus073
Mark, allow me to say that I was so anxious to get home from my travels today so I could visit your gallery. You always manage to give me an emotional boost through you're amazing images and thoughtful comments on them. This one is maybe my favorite of all time as I read your words and realized the special meaning this place has. To hear you describe it this would almost seem like paradise, and in many ways it is. What I take away from this is, that is people like you that make this park so special. They say birds of a feather flock together, and I believe that with all my heart. That is why I am persuaded that this park must attract kind and caring souls like you. People of a like mind, who are drawn to it because of the warmth and feeling of togetherness they have experienced over the years here. It sounds almost like a place where one might go to experience a healing of the soul almost. Thank you for allowing us to share this little bit of Heaven on earth, and for allowing us to see it through your eyes Mark.
auntietk
What a gorgeous place! The colors and shapes, the strong line of the dark branches, the softness and variety of the lower plantings ... it all fits together so beautifully. I can see why you find this to be such a peaceful place ... that sense of calm, centered joy comes across, even in a photograph. I hope your holiday season has been filled with love and light, and that it continues to be beautiful as the holidays continue. Much love to you, dear one, and big holiday hugs! :)
helanker
Mark, With your very touching story, about your earlier life in this fantastic City, this stunning autumn shot seems to be the most perfect you could upload for the season. I know you live in the most beautiful part of Chicago, with the fantastic park almost around the corner, the lagons, the Zoo, the old town, not to mention the Lake Michigan, but also the streets with the trees all over and the most amazing iron fences and tiny gardens along so many streets in your neighborhood and can easily understand your love for this your City, dear Mark. After all I have seen of it, I happen to love it too. I wish you a wonderful, Happy Holiday too. Big Hug from Dk, Helle.
nikolais
Mark, your wonderfulimage and words perfectly entwine and resonate.
flavia49
fantastic image Happy Holidays to you too!
jocko500
love the colors here
etoiledumatin
J'adore la transition entre les couleurs de l'automne et le blanc des immeubles et du ciek.