When you look back on a lifetime and think of what has been given to the world by your presence, your fugitive presence, inevitably you have to think of your art, whatever it may be, as the gift you have made to the world, in acknowledgement of the gift you have been given, which is the life itself.
And I think the world tends to forget that this is the ultimate significance of the body of work each artist produces.
It is not an expression of the desire for praise or recognition, or prizes, but the deepest manifestation of your gratitude for the gift of life.
Stanley Kunitz
Thank you, Mr. Kunitz.
8 comments:
Thanks for sharing this, John. So true! Moments when I am feeling my mortality, my deepest urges are to have more time to create.
I love the words "fugitive presence." I also love the photo. Where was that taken?
John, this is so lovely. Thank you.
Diane, that picture is from North Ouist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, a magical place.
Just the name North Ouist is magical! Thank you, John, for reminding us of Stanley Kunitz' words.
Truly beautiful. Hope you don't mind that I pirated the photo for my screensaver!
A dear friend of my mother's just sent me this exact quote and I have it on my studio wall. Very moving, very affirming.
Thanks John.
what a lovely quote:)
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