"But as in ethics, evil is a consequence of good, so in fact, out of joy is sorrow born. Either the memory of past bliss is the anguish of today, or the agonies which are have their origin in the ecstasies which might have been."
-Edgar Allan Poe
Poor Edgar. He was orphaned, then adopted, then his adopted father spurned him, died, and left him nothing. He couldn't keep a job, received rejection letter upon rejection letter, finally married only to later lose his wife to TB. It is easy to see why his work is melancholy and dark.
But this quote here today...Thank heavens I don't agree with him on this one. Often evil is a consequence of good and sorrow can be born of joy. But I much rather believe that evil is evil and sorrow is sorrow. More simple perhaps but it rings true to me. Deeper to the root of it all is the heart of the one exhibiting these emotions and characteristics. And, my agonies rarely grow from what might have been. I am not one to look behind me except in the most extreme instances of sadness and then I can see the joy that is much preferred.
Such as a day at the beach...
Today is the sixth day of our Poe exchange. And yet a whole week to go! I'm running out of things to say about Poe. I'm not a Poe scholar, after all. You may soon be seeing little drawings of him with only my pretty gifties to ogle. Speaking of the ogling...
this package sewn up and feathered is from my dear friend, mija. mija and i adore crows specifically and birds generally. i was delighted with her feather label. and i knew without a doubt i would not be disappointed with what was inside...
it's a wonderful felted blackbird necklace!! it is beaded and stitched and has a teeny wee red bell that sings as you wear it. i happened to be wearing all black today and was clapping my hands when i donned this festive creation. as i was wearing it i realized it is also a little pouch to keep secret notes and tiny treasures in. so cool!
thank you, thank you, sweetest mija, for my gorgeous present! it is such a beautiful, happy piece and will always make me smile and think of you.
"No pictorial or sculptural combinations of points of human loveliness, do more than approach the living and breathing human beauty as it gladdens our daily path."
- Edgar Allan Poe
You're so very welcome precious girl! And it makes me giddy to see you wearing it with that big smile on your face! I have pics on my blog of the whole flock of felt ravens as they roosted in my back tree. What a ruckus they made! he he
Posted by: Mija | October 19, 2009 at 07:03 PM
First, I love your new sassy hair. Second, Mija's work is so uber awesome. I was doing a happy dance when I opened mine this morning. I love this little delightful pouch and plan to wear it with the tell tale heart you made. xoxoxoxoox
Posted by: pilar | October 19, 2009 at 07:14 PM
I don't believe evil is a result of good, either. Possibly a result of good intent, which is not the same thing. Love your black bird! But your smile is fantastic!
Posted by: Renate | October 20, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Love it! It looks so good on you, too!
I agree with your view on evil and sorrow. And you are so right that Poe had every reason to be depressed and write the way he did. Even with all the negative stuff in his life, he still managed to be productive. True, it came out in his work, but he could have just curled up and said to heck with it all.
Posted by: Tamerie Shriver | October 20, 2009 at 09:02 AM
That crow is magnificent ! And so is that picture of you ! Wowsza !!! Beautiful !
Posted by: kim mailhot | October 20, 2009 at 05:20 PM
The bottom photo of you is my all-time favorite! You look absolutely, happy, peaceful and beautiful!
Posted by: Laura Bray | October 21, 2009 at 10:05 AM
And your hair is crazy beautiful!!!!
Posted by: Maija Lepore | October 21, 2009 at 05:09 PM