I don’t know how you’re faring this morning, but I need some respite from ugly news. So I’m heading back to the Basilica up the hill in Lyon’s Fourvière district.
When I visited this late 19th-century church this past May, I was immediately enamoured of the stylised botanical images — carved in bas-relief over much of the stone facade.
Of course, I had to pause to admire a pheasant-berry bush (Leycesteria Formos). (I wonder if I’ll ever stop remarking when I see a plant I used to “have” in my island garden.)
But I stepped past the shrub to get a closer look at the botanical ornamentation — these panels representing — as I’ve found after doing a little research this morning (a welcome distraction from what I can’t bear to know yet, on the news) — Wisdom describing herself (in Ecclesiasticus) as being,
“exalted like a cedar in Libanus (Quasi cedrus)
“and a cyprus tree on Mount Sion” (Q.– for Quasi — Cypressus)
“As a fair Olive tree in the plains” (Quasi Oliva)
“and as a Plane Tree by the water in the streets, was I exalted” (Quasi platanus)
“I yielded a sweet odour like the best myrrh” (quasi Myrrha)
“As a vine I have brought forth a pleasant odor” (Quasi Vitis)
Shall we simply ponder Wisdom now, as we step ’round the corner of the Basilica. . . angels and apostles and saints and lions abound on the façade. . . but I’m in the mood this morning, as I was back in May, to admire the flowers and leaves. . .
Isn’t their stylised repetition soothing?
We didn’t spend much time inside, having left our visit too close to lunchtime, but the same botanical theme prevails. . .
Leafy enough for birds to settle in . . .
I’m afraid that’s all my spirit can muster this morning, but I hope you found some enjoyment and a bit of respite here from the world that sometimes seems too much. . .
We have a busy family weekend here with visitors from the island. Then next week I have a short jaunt that I will tell you more about later — but first, I’m going to take a week away from you, although I might not be able to resist posting the occasional photo on Instagram.
Until I meet you here in a week or so, take care of yourselves in these fraught times. Remember to breathe; remember to find the small pleasures where they surely are; remember that there is still much wisdom and goodness in the world. . .
With you on the news. I caught the headlines of our papers this afternoon and they were horrible. We live in disturbing times. All things must pass.
Yes, well, that last sentence is only consolatory if taken in the context of full (Christian) belief in an afterlife. All things must pass . . . the wars and rumours and pestilences and famine (and roaring despotic angry men who don't credit women's stories) are only "the beginning of sorrows" moving us toward "the end." For believers, this could be a good thing, I suppose. . . . I scarcely find it so today. . .
Somehow it evokes in me the lines, "For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of" . . . okay, not necessarily the death of kings, but you know what I mean. Perhaps there's some power in sitting upon the ground and telling the sad stories. . . .
May you never stop remembering your beautiful island garden! The ability to compare is a gift, in this instance 🙂
Thank you. xo
PS: I've just completely shut down re: news of any sort, but particularly political (which is a pretty difficult thing to do locally!) I truly can't tell you any of the details of that hideous US trial I won't mention by name. I will not subject my mental state to it. I wish I could, because we have to hear these things, but I just can't take it right now.
Smart self-care. There are times to participate, times to witness, and times we need to hold on however we can…
Living near the US capital (and having spent decades working there) makes it almost impossible to avoid the news–local being national, in our case–but I do my damnedest. Avoid all TV and read only what I can bear–which isn't much–though using international news outlets helps. My absolute fury with the current political situation is hard to deal with, so I retreat to things like your lovely photos of the Lyon Basilica and reading as a respite from the madness. Enjoy your time away.
We need to find ways to manage the information load—sounds as if you’ve figured it out for you. I’m glad these photos gave you a moment’s respite.
The botanical images are beautiful. The autumn days are giving us more time to enjoy the outdoors. The political situation and the abuses of the patriarchy are infuriating.
Enjoy your away time!
Thank you.
Love the botanical photos and the botanical reliefs (right word?). I also feel twinges when I see a plant that grew at my former home of over 20 years.
As for the news, it's so demoralizing. But I feel a bit hopeful since I came home from work at 9 last night, expecting that the inevitable had happened, only to learn that, seemingly as a result of two survivors accosting a senator in an elevator, there will be a delay and investigation.
I've been thinking about the anguish survivors must be experiencing.
Silly me. The "investigation" is a sham. Back to being demoralized.
We can hope, for now.
I cannot bear to stay tuned to the news…its like we are living in the dark ages.
Its positively beastly.
There is definitely much darkness…
Beautiful photos and building
It is so good that we can find retreat and beauty in art and nature,from time to time
Dottoressa
Yes, so necessary and we’re so fortunate the resources are still around us…
I know what you mean re the news. Just last week and this country only: a big energy company wants to cut down an ancient forest to clear the ground for strip mining. Protesters are being dragged out of the woods one by one by the police. The Catholic church presents a report about sexual abuse by its members: at least 3500 victims in the last 40 years, more than 1500 perpetrators. But no names, no personal responsibility, no conseqences. Meanwhile, the government gives the red carpet treatment to Turkey's dictator Erdogan. So your beautiful stone flora was a welcome respite. A pity that the artist didn't include the "Rose of Jericho".
Have a good trip.
Yes, seems to be dark times all over — at least that also seems to mean that we are realizing the stakes and becoming more active. . .
I didn't know the Rose of Jericho, but I've looked it up — such a fascinating plant, so well adapted to the desert. It does seem as if it would have been more difficult to represent effectively in a stone carving, though . . .