Tuesday 9 January 2024

THE GIFT

Many of you don't know that my blog was named by my daughter Eva. We were trying to think of a good name, and she said "I've got it, call it "Breathtaking", I said "don't you think it's a little presumptuous" to which she said "not at all Mummy, you take wonderful photographs"! She is always so supportive of anything I do, even my paintings :=) After several other names were considered, in the end I settled on the name Breathtaking,  It was my daughter Eva who encouraged me to start a blog in the first place. She had been blogging for a few years herself, writing short stories, and poetry, and she had many followers, so she was able to get me started. I love her writing and have several of her books. One year she gave me a poem to add to my birthday gift. Originally it was written in Portuguese, but because I wanted to share it with you, it was  recently translated into English, but even though it loses a little in translation it still manages to convey a message.

Breathtaking

"I land in silence on those who welcome me
but whom I welcome, I choose
my wings in motion.
Art surrounds those who are inspired
and whoever breathes art, meanders
between the valleys and the fields like the wind
tilting the wheat and the chest in one direction
not always that of reason...

Beauty never surprises
It only takes breath away...
Nature is so vast.
At the top of the hill I see and charge
I give up, I give in to the lack of oxygen
Watercolours, pastel or charcoal,
I bow down to genius canvases,
I hold my breath...

I fly over the perfect painting
incalculable value if auctioned
Packed in an unsuspecting way
handled without care, the unthinkable...
An insatiable (ir)rational species
smudges this palette,
destroys our planet
in a butterfly effect...

I'm out of breath...
moths, birds and flowers
I land to enhance my colours.
At the foot of the hill I collect my wings and brushes,
spiders, lizards and praying mantises, you will say,
you, believers in something more
evidence of signs of the Divine,
captured by skilful lenses in patient hands."

Eva Gonçalves 2012-05-03




42 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Breathtaking is a great name for your name, thanks to Eva.
Your photography is breathtaking. The butterfly image is beautiful.
Your daughter's poem is lovely, thanks for sharing.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead!

Marit said...

Dear Sonjia :)

Thank you so much for the beautiful poem! It was nice that you got it translated into English. I use google translate a lot, and I see that sometimes something gets lost in the translation, but that's just the way it is. You got a very beautiful poem from your daughter. Yes, your photos are breathtaking!

Many warm hugs from your friend who lives in the cold.
Marit

sami niilola said...

Great post. The photo is top notch.

Angie's Recipes said...

Breathtaking, a beautiful message. The macro shot of butterfly is great!

MadSnapper said...

I read the poem out loud, with meaning that I felt as I read it. the poem is your photography in words. Amazing and I truly love it. I loved the name of you blog and now I love it even more. a lot of the feelings in the poem are how I feel when I look at others photos and even when I look at my own. I think this poem might be the kickstart to get me out looking for photos again. i have spent the last 3 years in the house showing the same things over and over. it time to find new things. the good thing is you find so much beauty from your window. I lack that beauty so will have to go look for it.. I love your birds and flowers and critters. keep on posting

roentare said...

It is a well deserving name for your blog. The butterfly looks wonderful

Jeanie said...

Oh my. That poem is breathtaking -- and not just the title. Your daughter is as gifted a writer/poet as you are a photographer. And that, my friend, is very gifted. It captures your work so eloquently and with such grace. Did you cry when you read it? I think I would have. What a special gift. (Please thank Eva for encouraging you to blog. I always enjoy my visits here so very much!)

Marie Smith said...

Love the poem and photo. The title is perfect!

Irma said...

It's a beautiful name for your blog and the poem is beautiful.
I think it would be wonderful to have a daughter like that.
The photo of the butterflies is really beautiful.
Greetings Irma

Richard Pegler said...

That is very beautiful, Sonjia. Your daughter has a fine talent as you well know. I have absolutely no doubt as to where that talent originates - you should be as proud of yourself as you are of her!

My very best wishes - to you both - - - Richard

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

I did not know that is where the name of your blog came from. But Eva was right, your photos are breathtaking, I am glad you stuck with it!

David James Slater said...

Dear Sonjia,
I loved Eva's poem. What a talented daughter.Where does she get it from? Well ,I know really because I have seen your paintings and read your own poetry. I must send you some of mine.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Well, you certainly know that I think you are BREATHTAKING, Sonjia. It's a lovely poem that Eva wrote, made very special by knowing that it was from daughter to mother. It really doesn't get much better. Hugs and kisses - David

Lowcarb team member said...

Yes ... Breathtaking, a good name.

Lovely poem and fabulous photograph.

All the best Jan

Veronica Lee said...

Your blog name "Breathtaking" perfectly matches your stunning photography.
And Eva's poem is beautiful!

Hugs and blessings, Sonjia

Teresa said...

Es precioso el poema y también lo que nos cuentas. ¿ Sabes que a mí me pasó lo mismo, mi blog lo tengo por mi hija, que también escribe y su seudónimo es Eva.
Y sí, tu blog es impresionante.
Me alegra que tengamos tanto en común. Abrazos para ti, también para tu hija.

John's Island said...

Hello Dear Sonjia 😊
I love the story of how your blog came to be named Breathtaking. It is a perfect choice … kudos to Eva! 😊 And the poem … more perfection. I especially love “… evidence of signs of the Divine, captured by skillful lenses in patient hands.” Thank you for this post. Best wishes to you and Eva! John

DeniseinVA said...

I enjoyed Eva's poem. She is a very talented young lady and I like the name she suggested for your blog. It's perfect and I agree with her about your photos. They are indeed breathtaking! Your photos today and others I have seen always make me smile. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely photo and about your daughter. She sounds a delightful young lady, so warm and thoughtful. Happy New Year to you both and may it be full of wonder and happiness.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
I really like your blog's name Breathtaking. It is a nice story and a lovely poem from your daughter Eva! The poem is a special birthday gift. The butterfly photo is gorgeous. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Tom said...

...the Bath white on the Lantana is treat on this cold winter morning.

Mae Travels said...

Your daughter is lovely to write poetry and encourage your blogging!
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Shiju Sugunan said...

Beautiful story behind Breathtaking!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a beautiful poem! I know your daughter is beautiful too. I know I've told you this before but that is the name of our only granddaughter.

Elderberry-Rob said...

The blog name is worthy as you have such beautiful photography on here. You must be very proud of your daughters creative prose. Betty

RedPat said...

What a wonderful daughter to be so supportive. And to write such a poem for you. She is very special.

Cloudia said...

You are not only talented but blessed by a great kid apparently! Bless you both Aloha

Mike Attwood said...

Its all been said, I can only add my best wishes to you and Eva, a talented young lady.
Mike.

Lasse said...

Wonderful Sonjia, take care of that talented and breathtaking daughter of yours ;)
Beautiful photo as well !
Hugs Lasse

Phil Slade said...

Hello Sonjia. I think your daughter must be very clever to write poetry and also to suggest a lovely blog title that you agree upon. That's a lovely butterfly picture too. I hope you are having a lovely Sunday and I wish you both a belated Happy New Year.

magiceye said...

Lovely poem and beautiful photo.
Your blog is rightfully named Breathtaking!

Linda said...

Wonderful poem! I always assumed that the name “Breathtaking” referred to the beauty of nature because that is what you keep showing us. Thank you.

Gedichten en Verhalen uit het leven said...

It's a name that really suits you because you post beautiful photos with it and so do blogs. The poem is really beautiful. Greetings, Tine - NL

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I love the backstory behind your blog's name, the poem, and your photo!!

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! Dynamic poem ~ so creative and gorgeous photography too!


Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

La Biosfera de Lola said...

Querida amiga enhorabuena a tu hija por tan precioso poema muy adecuado para tu maravilloso blog. En cuanto al nombre del blog es perfecto. Un enorme abrazo.

Barwitzki said...

Your blog name Breathtaking is great... I always enjoy reading it. When I speak the word in German it rolls off my tongue... just how wonderful... only breathtaking is unique.
Many greetings to your daughter.
And, nice poem.
Viola sends you happy greetings

Jeanne said...

I love the story about your daughter naming your blog, and I love the butterfly picture. Such vibrant color!

Blues Hendrix said...

¡Hola! Me ha parecido muy interesante tu post, lo he encontrado muy útil.
Excelente contenido tu Blog.
Un saludo. Blues Hendrix 😊

Rostrose said...

Dear Sonjia,
I have always found your blog name beautiful and appropriate. You write mostly about nature and show great nature-photos - and the beauty of nature IS breathtaking. So there is no trace of presumption there.
Your daughter's poem-gift is wonderful. And it says perfectly what breathtaking means!
Your butterfly photo is also very beautiful!
I want to thank you again for your very nice comments in my blog, they are always a great joy to me!
Warm rust rose greetings and all the best, Traude 😊

This N That said...

Beautiful post and yes, your pictures are wonderful..Your daughter is right!! Hope all is well..

Rostrose said...

Dear Sonjia,
hopefully you are fine!
I now say goodbye - with another posting and warm greetings 🙋 - and start the recently announced blog break 😘.
Stay healthy - so we can read again in spring!
All the best, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/01/im-zoo-mit-dem-enkel-weitere-ausfluge.html

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Dear Sonjia, not only is your daughter is a talented poet but she also knows her mother very well! She knew you would make beautifully written blog posts! And of course she could see that your nature photographs are works of art! As we all can. Thank you for sharing Eva’s poem and your butterfly illustration along with it . Your blog truly is breathtaking…it’s perfectly named.

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