Photography

The Funeral of the Former Year

Suzanne

#SundayStills

This week’s challenge, “Birthday”.

Most of us see this occasion leaning towards more of a form of jubilation and celebration. A certain gentleman and poet, Alexander Pope (21 May 1688 – 30 May 1744 / London / England) thought otherwise.

Pope’s poem to his friend Martha Blount knows that birthdays are melancholy for many. “Is that a Birth-Day? ’tis alas! too clear, / ‘Tis but the funeral of the former year”.

He wishes Martha happiness, pointedly expecting that she will be pleased “Not with those Toys the female world admire, / Riches that vex, and Vanities that tire.” Instead, she will “wake to Raptures in a Life to come.” Consoling?

Here is a selection of photographs from former years and depicting New Zealand my “birth” country.

Harekeke [flax] Basket

Harakeke Kete [Flax Basket], for many years used for gathering and storing kai/food.

Old truck advertising vegetables 2009

Buying fruit and vegetables that used to come from our backyard or a local grower.

moeraki-boulder

Moeraki Boulders – South Island an area we have celebrated and commiserated one or two birthdays.

Tui by RubyWatson_edited.jpg

Our iconic Tui, viewed via an art piece.

Blue line

#SundayStills

What is Sunday Stills all about?

In Terri’s words:

Sunday Stills is a photography challenge with a weekly theme (similar to the now-defunct WPC). Each Sunday I post the weekly theme with images of my own interpretation. Any blogger is welcome to participate and interpret the challenge with their photos, poems, stories, music, etc!

SOURCE:TERRI – SECOND WIND LEISURE PERSPECTIVES

Sunday Stills photo challenge

Join in via https://secondwindleisure.com/photography/sunday-stills-photo-challenge/

Or

https://secondwindleisure.com/2019/10/20/sunday-stills-sixty-birthdays/

Published by Suzanne

Travel and Life Musings from New Zealand and Beyond. . . . . . .

17 thoughts on “The Funeral of the Former Year”

  1. Very intriguing on the concept of Birthdays. Pope’s poem evokes positive and negative emotions.

    I always appreciate seeing photos of anything New Zealand. We have such fond memories of this country. I do recall the Moeraki Boulders. I am curious to now search through my photos.

    A very artistic post, Suzanne, on many levels.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks very much Donna, I was trying to look outside the “square”. It wasn’t so much the presents I received as a child. Apart from the new bike now that was exciting and gave me a sense of total freedom. The food that was brought out only on special occasions, like Rice Bubble Crackle 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    1. Another way of looking at it is you’re fortunate to get to “old age”. Though I do get the depressing factor is that the older we get the less years we have. Old age is grand when your health is good.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. That makes me feel slightly more normal, I really don’t like birthdays, mostly because of the level of expectation.

    I love your imagery, the boulders and the bird in particular x

    Liked by 1 person

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