5-29-03

Hunger for truth,
let it drive you wild.
Lost child in the Garden,
which flower blooms for you?
Scent intoxicating,
liberating,
these are the night-blooming flowers.
Thus, few see them.
Keep awake.

JAL, 4 - 30 - 03

The poem came to me first, on April 30, 2003. I was at work when the image of a dark haired magician appeared to me in a garden, holding his arms wide, with a flower in one hand, telling me the above words.

Then May 28, 2003, the image came briefly, wordlessly, of a dark haired magician offering me a very large and fragrant red rose. I swear I could almost smell the incredibly scented rose.

I knew I had to capture the essence of that potent image. I found myself following a link on one of my lists that led to a photo gallery of handsome men. Remembering my artistic inspiration, I sought through them for one that evoked the essence of this magician who's been visiting my mind.

Many pretty men were there, but I wanted one who conveyed a sense of personal power. One image of the singer Bon Jovi impressed me, and I went off to seek more. One fan had over 175 photos of him at her site, and it was easy to find the one.


small example of Bon Jovi

I had a rose picture of my own, taken earlier, that was model for the rose, and I used my own hand for the magician's hand. I let the method of my mandala making inspire me, letting one color call for the next in an unplanned fashion.

When I was done, I was surprised the magician did not have black hair, nor was he holding a red rose. Also, though I did not intend it, he has a bit of a possibly vampyric appearance.

Whether or not the magician happens to be a vampyre may be purely incidental. What is important is the invitation he gives. The rose represents the multiple layers of a mystery to be discovered.

And then there's another way to look at it. The figure in the moonlight is the lost garden-wanderer holding a bloom he at first is not sure is his. Only after a test of deep inhalation can he be sure. Then he wants the mysteries, all of them, and all their layers. Experience alone yields proof.

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