“Eventually, he gave up on his desire to continue writing poetry, crying to the firm of how this small thing nearly pushed him over the edge.” Wow. That was no small thing. His wife didn’t just destroy his poems, she erased an essential part of him. She denied his inner life from whence those poems sprang. What kind of wife was this? Obviously, she was someone who had no idea, no appreciation, and no respect for who he really was.
Once again, you have given us an essay that feels sincerely honest and emotionally available. Thank you for writing this.
Andrew your comments blow me away and completely make my day. And yes, isn't that horrible? I wanted to give that man a hug and beg him to keep writing poetry. Unfortunately, that wasn't the first time I read about someone doing that to their spouse in a case. Though on the bright side he was working to leave her.
And again, thank you so much for commenting Andrew. I sincerely appreciate it.
Keep writing, Luka. And keep taking photographs. To quote Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., any creative work you do is “soul-growing.” It doesn’t matter if it’s any good. What matters is growing your soul. Allowing its voice into your world.
It's quite a coincidence that earlier today I wrote of F Scott Fitzgerald's inner turmoil as he saw himself a failed writer. Nearly 90 years ago he wrote his 'confessional'. But he too didn't give up. Well done for picking up your camera again 👍
Harry that sounds wonderful! I'm going to have to read that ASAP. Fitzgerald is a favorite of mine, and knowing someone I admire went through the same thing is always comforting. Thank you for sharing that!
Oh my goodness, I can easily picture those scenes… but then no should ever say you have to love family because they’re family.
You’ll love them for being kind, supportive. But if they show the disdain you’ve experienced, that’s just the limit. And I’ve had a family member like that.
Take up your photography, get back to exploring, learning new styles in your own way. I don’t care about shutter times, but if a photo speaks to me, it’s good.
Thank you for your incredibly kind words Joyce. Thankfully this family member and I have been able to work through some things, and hopefully I can continue picking up my camera.
Thank you for sharing your photography journey, I’m glad to hear you are picking up the thing that brought you so much joy. I hope you find continued inspiration and happiness in honing your craft!
It's sad to know you had to go through that experience of such criticism. I can definitely relate - especially as someone who has always been self educated too. (isn't it strange how people so often take that as an immediate reason to assume faults! )
But great to know you are re-finding your love of photography again now. And, more so, that you continue to practice all these creative pursuits.
Always enjoy reading your writing - and I love how you are mixing these personal essays in with more historical articles too.
It is funny how people are quick to jump when they find out another is self taught in any manner. And thank you! Your comment means a lot. You know I didn't realize I mix history with my personal essays, it just naturally comes out of me. I guess that just reveals how much of a nerd I am, but I'm not upset about it, haha.
Absolutely nothing wrong with being a history nerd! All the best people are!
But I think that's why I like your writing too - just the sense that it all comes in quite a free-flowing way. (Not sure if that's how it feels to write it or not . . . but definitely, it's how it comes across)
Actually yes, I basically let it flow. I'm always torn between liking when people put a lot of effort and structure into their work and that sort of 'stream of consciousness' approach. And agreed, history nerds are pretty great.
“Eventually, he gave up on his desire to continue writing poetry, crying to the firm of how this small thing nearly pushed him over the edge.” Wow. That was no small thing. His wife didn’t just destroy his poems, she erased an essential part of him. She denied his inner life from whence those poems sprang. What kind of wife was this? Obviously, she was someone who had no idea, no appreciation, and no respect for who he really was.
Once again, you have given us an essay that feels sincerely honest and emotionally available. Thank you for writing this.
Andrew your comments blow me away and completely make my day. And yes, isn't that horrible? I wanted to give that man a hug and beg him to keep writing poetry. Unfortunately, that wasn't the first time I read about someone doing that to their spouse in a case. Though on the bright side he was working to leave her.
And again, thank you so much for commenting Andrew. I sincerely appreciate it.
Keep writing, Luka. And keep taking photographs. To quote Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., any creative work you do is “soul-growing.” It doesn’t matter if it’s any good. What matters is growing your soul. Allowing its voice into your world.
Thanks again for the way you keep keeping in!
It's quite a coincidence that earlier today I wrote of F Scott Fitzgerald's inner turmoil as he saw himself a failed writer. Nearly 90 years ago he wrote his 'confessional'. But he too didn't give up. Well done for picking up your camera again 👍
Harry that sounds wonderful! I'm going to have to read that ASAP. Fitzgerald is a favorite of mine, and knowing someone I admire went through the same thing is always comforting. Thank you for sharing that!
Oh my goodness, I can easily picture those scenes… but then no should ever say you have to love family because they’re family.
You’ll love them for being kind, supportive. But if they show the disdain you’ve experienced, that’s just the limit. And I’ve had a family member like that.
Take up your photography, get back to exploring, learning new styles in your own way. I don’t care about shutter times, but if a photo speaks to me, it’s good.
Take care 💙🙏💫
Thank you for your incredibly kind words Joyce. Thankfully this family member and I have been able to work through some things, and hopefully I can continue picking up my camera.
Oh Luka, I do hope you’ll be able to pick up your camera and get photographing again. I can’t wait to see more of your work. Take care, stay safe 🙏💙💫🌿
If you were really meant to be a photog - and you probably are - you won't be able to give it up forever. You'll come back to it.
I, myself, walked away from my photography twice in my lifetime. Both times, it was because of crushing disappointment from life events.
But I wasn't able to stay away. After a few years, I found myself buying a new camera and getting back in.
There's a story about that in my Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/kenbarber/p/bridezilla
I'm guessing that you were meant to do this, and will probably be shooting again soon.
Thank you for sharing Ken! I agree, I think when something is right it'll come back into your life. I appreciate your insights :)
Thank you for sharing your photography journey, I’m glad to hear you are picking up the thing that brought you so much joy. I hope you find continued inspiration and happiness in honing your craft!
Thank you Jenn! You are so kind. I wish that for everyone else as well :)
It's sad to know you had to go through that experience of such criticism. I can definitely relate - especially as someone who has always been self educated too. (isn't it strange how people so often take that as an immediate reason to assume faults! )
But great to know you are re-finding your love of photography again now. And, more so, that you continue to practice all these creative pursuits.
Always enjoy reading your writing - and I love how you are mixing these personal essays in with more historical articles too.
It is funny how people are quick to jump when they find out another is self taught in any manner. And thank you! Your comment means a lot. You know I didn't realize I mix history with my personal essays, it just naturally comes out of me. I guess that just reveals how much of a nerd I am, but I'm not upset about it, haha.
Absolutely nothing wrong with being a history nerd! All the best people are!
But I think that's why I like your writing too - just the sense that it all comes in quite a free-flowing way. (Not sure if that's how it feels to write it or not . . . but definitely, it's how it comes across)
Keep up the great work.
Actually yes, I basically let it flow. I'm always torn between liking when people put a lot of effort and structure into their work and that sort of 'stream of consciousness' approach. And agreed, history nerds are pretty great.