Fascinating to wander through the Manilla museum. One gets a glimpse into the past – the art, the gods, weapons and instruments of a life that no longer exists. But it can fuel the imagination.
Manilla – inside the Museum.
Opher’s Art
I had a phase of painting and enjoyed it greatly. Here are a few!!
Viet Nam – Huey on a wet day! Into the Royal Palace.
Viet Nam has a lot of great history. I like history. I like culture. I like different. I like to experience the differences. I like………………
Jordan – A stop at a cafe.
We stopped at a cafe with its views over the rocky gulch. It was hard to believe that people could actually life off this dry land. Jordanian pottery and art was very good.
Jerusalem – The Church Of All Nations
A number of people have asked me why, as an antitheist, am I so obsessed with temples, cathedrals and mosques.
That’s simple. I love art, beauty and ancient monuments. The state and religion have had all the money and power. They have set out to prove their dominance, to impress and put us in awe of them.
The palaces, temples, cathedrals, castles, mosques, mansions and abbeys are the places where artists, architects and designers have excelled. The powerful always employ the best.
I can marvel at the beauty and majesty of human creation. It’s spiritual not religious.
As far as I’m concerned religion is about power and causes division and hatred. One of our worst inventions. Yet it has spawned some magnificance.
Penang – Buddhist Art and Culture
Everywhere you looked in this temple there was something amazing.
India Kanchipuram 1300-year-old temple.
More art!!
Kanchipuram – Kailasanathar Temple – 1300-year-old Hindu temple – Carvings and details
Everything was weathered and eroded but the carvings were spectacular. Exquisite.
The weight of one’s thoughts!!
Something that doesn’t trouble a lot of people.
Poetry – Reeling it in
Reeling it in
I’m reeling in the line.
I can glimpse the end
And will soon know
The size of the catch.
I know it will be small,
If anything at all,
Yet I continue
To reel in hope.
For no matter
How limited
The catch,
It is better than nothing.
And if millions
Of us are all
Reeling,
It might just
Be enough.
Opher 22.12.2019
Looking back at the achievements of a life is a sobering experience. It has gone so quickly and there is so little to show for it. The results of one’s efforts are meagre.
Some say that it is not worth the effort, that it is best to focus on oneself and not bother; that we cannot make a difference. The world carries on with its cruelty and destruction and we are powerless. By worrying about it we only serve to make ourselves miserable.
But I am reeling in my line. I am still pulling on the rod. The end is in sight now.
Opher's World 