Boxing Day

"Lifelong Warrenty"
Illuminated Box
Store window
Franz-Josefs-Kai

"Imagine a lost traveler knocking on his door
one dark night in the hill country of Spain.
"Come in, " he would say, "I was just painting myself,"
as he stood in the doorway holding up the wand of a brush,
illuminated in the blaze of his famous candle hat".

*
"... illuminated in the blaze of his famous candle hat",
that was the line that came to mind
when I photographed this illuminated box.
It is the last one of Billy Collins' ruminations
about the story behind Goyas famous self-portrait,
with an "extraordinary hat on his head
which is fitted around the brim with candle holders,
a device that allowed him to work into the night".

Our minds do play these tricks on us,
don't they?
We encounter an image,
and a line like this, sometimes a whole poem,
cascades out of it,
only for us to be seen and heard.

*
Behind the scenes,
I am working to repeat last year's
"Twelve Days of Christmas" series.
I have already reserved space
for yesterday's and today's posts,
but I am far from ready to
publish them.
The house is still full
of hungry guests,
and seasonal observations
need to be enjoyed too,
before I can play more with my blog.
Until then,
best wishes from my home to yours,
may your days be filled
with wonder and joy!