A pair of swans returned to the pond near our house yesterday—they always look more striking when the water is inky black, the sky becoming darker with rain rather than snow.
I am glad you fell in love with language - I am in love with your use of it! It feels like feathers on skin, the loveliest brushing. And this: “ Anything else—particularly anything verging on the personal—could ruin a woman’s reputation and lead to her downfall publicly and socially. It was a fine needle to thread.” I am glad you are rectifying the anonymity. So much has been buried, and I still feel this threat in my cells. Your excavations give me courage to keep digging, bringing feminine voices to the light ❤️🔥
Thanks so much Kara--I love that it encourages you too, as it does me. And I love that description of feathers brushing the skin--what a beautiful thing to say. Thank you friend. 💜
I had no clue such a woman existed! She looks like the long lost sister of Shakespeare that Virginia Woolf invented in her analysis of women and fiction - finally declaring that even if such ambitious creature existed,she would be lost to time. You proved her point wrong!
I love love love this piece! Amazing work Freya, such keen observations and findings! Also the swan and their spiritual significance in mythology is a topic in itself. In Hindu mythology they are companions of Goddess Saraswati. The goddess of knowledge, art amd music - now that can’t be coincidence right?!
Ah, thanks so much Swarnali--and I know--I was kind of gobsmacked to read about her work and how amazing she was, she was truly a brilliant woman. So glad you get to read more about her now too! I love that the swan is companion to Saraswati--amazing those parallels and deep threads across time and culture. Beautiful! 💜
I spent a lot of time on the banks of the Flathead River near Dixon, MT, this past spring. Swans were always there and I loved seeing them. This past weekend I drove up to see the river now at high water, which was impressive ... but, sadly, no swans.
I think that's probably why they always make me pause, because they're there and then they aren't. I walked again today and they are gone, probably until the fall on the way back south. Such beauties.
Unbelievably fascinating!
thanks so much for reading--I wish more people knew about Mary Sidney's amazing work!
Thanks so much for sharing! So glad I know about her now. I relished all her word inventions!
Freya, our very own Great Sister of the Muses, this reads like the mission statement of the Ariadne Archives.
Behold the work which once thou didst impose,
Great sister of the Muses' glorious star,
Of female worth, who didst at first disclose
Unto our times, what noble powers there are
In women's hearts, and sent example far
To call up others to like studious thoughts.
Patrick you are officially the best. omg i love this so. 💜 thank you friend!
It is what it is!!
I am glad you fell in love with language - I am in love with your use of it! It feels like feathers on skin, the loveliest brushing. And this: “ Anything else—particularly anything verging on the personal—could ruin a woman’s reputation and lead to her downfall publicly and socially. It was a fine needle to thread.” I am glad you are rectifying the anonymity. So much has been buried, and I still feel this threat in my cells. Your excavations give me courage to keep digging, bringing feminine voices to the light ❤️🔥
Thanks so much Kara--I love that it encourages you too, as it does me. And I love that description of feathers brushing the skin--what a beautiful thing to say. Thank you friend. 💜
I had no clue such a woman existed! She looks like the long lost sister of Shakespeare that Virginia Woolf invented in her analysis of women and fiction - finally declaring that even if such ambitious creature existed,she would be lost to time. You proved her point wrong!
I love love love this piece! Amazing work Freya, such keen observations and findings! Also the swan and their spiritual significance in mythology is a topic in itself. In Hindu mythology they are companions of Goddess Saraswati. The goddess of knowledge, art amd music - now that can’t be coincidence right?!
Ah, thanks so much Swarnali--and I know--I was kind of gobsmacked to read about her work and how amazing she was, she was truly a brilliant woman. So glad you get to read more about her now too! I love that the swan is companion to Saraswati--amazing those parallels and deep threads across time and culture. Beautiful! 💜
I spent a lot of time on the banks of the Flathead River near Dixon, MT, this past spring. Swans were always there and I loved seeing them. This past weekend I drove up to see the river now at high water, which was impressive ... but, sadly, no swans.
I think that's probably why they always make me pause, because they're there and then they aren't. I walked again today and they are gone, probably until the fall on the way back south. Such beauties.
very impressive :)