Raphael - The Transfiguration, Antonio Vivaldi - Flute Concertos, Rainer Maria Rilke - The Apple Orchard, Robert Luois Stevenson - The Wind

This Raphael painting, like last week's has lots of figures.  I apologize if you have already copied this work using the Picasa Web Album - because this version from Wikipedia has a bit different coloring.... This painting has beautiful, brilliant colors.  You can find the story of the Transfiguration in Luke 9:28-36 or Matthew 17:1-13.  I was wondering about the meaning of the things taking place in the crowd - wonder if it could be the story of the demon-possessed boy that follows the story of the transfiguration. 

The Transfiguration by Raphael

Vivaldi - Flute Concertos played by Emmanuel Pahud.  Antonio Vivaldi's music seems to have so much light exuberance to it!  

Rainer Maria Rilke  has such an interesting way of communicating!  What do you think of his poetry? I've included  a woodcut by Durer as mentioned in the 10th line....

 The Apple Orchard    

Flight into Egypt - Durer

Come let us watch the sun go down
and walk in twilight through the orchard's green.
Does it not seem as if we had for long
collected, saved and harbored within us
old memories? To find releases and seek
new hopes, remembering half-forgotten joys,
mingled with darkness coming from within,
as we randomly voice our thoughts aloud
wandering beneath these harvest-laden trees
reminiscent of Durer woodcuts, branches
which, bent under the fully ripened fruit,
wait patiently, trying to outlast, to
serve another season's hundred days of toil,
straining, uncomplaining, by not breaking
but succeeding, even though the burden
should at times seem almost past endurance.
Not to falter! Not to be found wanting!

Thus must it be, when willingly you strive
throughout a long and uncomplaining life,
committed to one goal: to give yourself!
And silently to grow and to bear fruit.

Our Robert Louis Stevenson Poem this week is 

The Wind

I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass--
     O wind, a-blowing all day long,
     O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all--
     O wind, a-blowing all day long,
     O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
     O wind, a-blowing all day long,
     O wind, that sings so loud a song!