Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Song of Silence

                        

Sitting on the wall, she played her song. Wondering what to do, what to say, she didn’t know. The notes came slowly, moving through her, opening passages and closing doors. Alas, it seemed to be that the great mystery knew how to give her an answer… her shoe fall off! She closed her eyes, and hummed to herself, (as people often do when they receive a message without words,) knowing without a doubt it was a sign to go!

Photo: Of an 19th century French fine engraving I bought yesterday at the flea market.  Measures 24 in. x 18 in.

Comments

33 responses to “Song of Silence”

  1. Jeanne

    I love that song by Simon and Garfunkel.
    Hello darkness my old friend
    I’ve come to talk to you again……..
    The sound of silence.
    When your heart speaks take good notes.
    Love you
    Jeanne

    Reply
  2. bluevicar

    She certainly looks comfortable there on that wall paying attention to messages of ilks…and strumming away to keep herself in tune and in touch.
    Now, will she write something down about what passed her way? I guess, we’ll never know.
    Meilleurs voeux!!

    Reply
  3. Marie-Noëlle

    This picture takes me right back to the 19th century in Nohant Vic, in George Sand’s house… I can feature her there clearly, sitting alone on a wall, and breaking the silence with her harp while awaiting her lover (Chopin) …

    Reply
  4. darla

    Great find. I love the shoes, they look like you could pick them up right ouf of the picture and wear them today.

    Reply
  5. patpaulk

    I think the artist had an olfactory sense of humor. Or, did the model have an itch?

    Reply
  6. phyllis

    I have the perfect companion to this picture and I think I’ll blog it later when the kids get out the door…a figural planter of a little girl hammering on a piano and her sock or shoe is off…

    Reply
  7. susan

    i just adore old prints like these… so many stories they hold!

    Reply
  8. Cat

    She looks very content with one shoe on and one shoe off playing her mandolin.
    You have a terrific creative immagination Corey!

    Reply
  9. cruststation

    Perfect writing for a beautiful etching. My soul sings as I watch this woman play her instrument so freely, letting go of her shoe without inhibition from watchful eyes.

    Reply
  10. phyllis

    Scratch what I said below…I have USB problems and can’t post my pics. Oh boo, hoo does anyone have a tissu?

    Reply
  11. Acey

    So much fun to catch up with your postings. I love the reveries that come from seeing this kind of image. Also the chipper Ms. RR Hood …

    Reply
  12. Nancy

    Love that pic….and your words.
    It always a pleasure to visit you…..the poetry in your soul awakens my own.

    Reply
  13. Anonymouse

    PARIS POST CARDS!
    Were they a lover’s discards?
    Found in the yard..sale?
    At Bernards?
    It’s hard,
    To pass by PARIS POST CARDS
    REGARDE!

    Reply
  14. Pam Aries

    You have a gift with words! How DO you do it?? It is so much fun to come visit you! A true delight EVERY day! Merci!

    Reply
  15. Regina Clare Jane

    You have such good taste, Corey! I want to go antiquing with you!

    Reply
  16. Kim H

    That’s lovely… Is it tiny or really large?

    Reply
  17. Star

    I was surprised at the size of this piece; I pictured a postcard.
    She looks so oblivious to everything around her, truly in a world of her own.

    Reply
  18. Vanessa

    Ooo, yes. How lovely. I would like to be transported into her world..For a second…as a bird or a butterfly.. simply spinning by…

    Reply
  19. herhimnbryn

    Ah, such a daring young woman! Perfectly ‘proper’ with all her layers of beautiful clothes, her hair up and looking oh, so elegant. But my dear, no stockings! Scandal!

    Reply
  20. gracie

    Perhaps she is composing her own songs… oblivious to anything but the music flowing through.

    Reply
  21. Teresa Sheeley

    Corey, this is beautiful. Hey, I also just found your flea market items, I hope I get something from it.
    Also, I am giving you one of those tags. This one is to list “6 weird things about yourself” on your blog. I have details on mine, plus my goofy list about me. You can play or not, no big deal.
    Thanks Corey!
    Teresa

    Reply
  22. Veronica TM

    Beautiful engraving and beautiful words.

    Reply
  23. Maryam in Marrakech

    Love the passages opening and the doors closing…

    Reply
  24. Blue

    Her shoe took the first step without her, as if to say, Come on then! Let’s go….
    xo

    Reply
  25. pinar

    so natural..
    this happens no?
    slippers falling at the most unwanted times

    Reply
  26. Catalina

    HI corey! I am back enjoying your blog again! (my computer was absolutely down….)
    Happy New Year and the best for you, always! thanks to be there sooooooooooo inspiring!

    Reply
  27. Heather T.

    Beautiful engraving and beautiful words.

    Reply
  28. nel

    hi lovely Corey…so much to catch up on while I’ve been away! Nice to see your posts are as beautiful as ever…Love Nel

    Reply
  29. The French Nest

    Absolutely stunning…your words are so inspirational!

    Reply
  30. Casey

    Beautiful!! Just look at that beribboned shoe–love it! 🙂

    Reply
  31. jann

    This is lovely-as always.

    Reply
  32. Chantal

    Sometimes we’re drawn out of the most beautiful trance, the deepest musings by a very ordinary but no less beautiful or meaningful event, such as a shoe falling, a cat sneezing, or the world calling… C’est la vie qui nous appelle.

    Reply
  33. eivlys

    beautiful and touching as always Corey .

    Reply

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