Sometimes when I'm walking I see things that lead me on strange pathways in my mind.
I came across this root and immediately saw lovers entwined. See the arm and hand on the left? Because I'd been re-reading Books I & II of The Hunger Games in prep for the final novel, I thought of Katniss and Peeta in the arena, covered in mud, hiding in caves, at once tough and tender. And I thought of Katniss and Gale, grabbing the only brief, intense moments their lives allowed.
But forever-embraces can represent so much more--the anguished love of a parent torn from a child, of a sister sacrificing for a sister, of friends left behind or of someone who dies, knowingly, for you. The Hunger Games has delivered all that.
I have refrained from reading reviews of MOCKINGJAY, because I want to experience my own emotional reaction to the conclusion of this story. I expect (for those who've read the books) that I will want to press three fingers to my lips and extend them to author Suzanne Collins for writing a story that means something, that shows the resilience of the human spirit, the immense depth of love.
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I also expect when I read it this weekend I will be left with an imprint like this long-gone leaf. Beautiful. Indelible. Haunting.Some stories do that.
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Oh! Now, I add a postscript that changes the mood of this post, but I can't help myself. I just received an honorable mention from agent Mary Kole in Shelli's 140-character pitch contest on Market My Words. *happy dance*
24 comments:
Yes, definitely, my first impression was of lovers entwined. I'm devouring Mockingjay at present. All I will say is, you have an amazing weekend ahead of you. :)
Congratulations on the pitch contest! Well done!
A haunting picture for sure. I was reminded of Pompei.
Congratulations on the contest!
Congratulations on the hm in the pitch contest!
I read Mockingjay this week...so beautiful and haunting. I'm still thinking about it.
I haven't read these books, but it sounds like they're going to need to be on my TBR list.
Congrats on the hm!
I, too, thought of lovers entwined!
I love when that happens. I once saw this flower bending over a grave and I got a great scene idea. I love that picture.
It's a gorgeous image and tells a multitude of stories :)
Congrats on the mention in the pitch contest - that's fantastic!!
That's interesting. Like Bish, I thought of Pompeii too! It reminds you of those sad ash people left behind, caught forever in the last pose they were holding. Kind of perfect for this post. It reminds me of the Hunger Games too.
I've been avoiding spoilers as well, but I got caught by a few which is so infuriating.
Congrats! Dance on.
congratulations!!! love this image and the feelings invoked.
Hi Everybody! *silly grin* I've had a crazy day, so I'm sorry I didn't get back to each of you, but I love, love, love these comments about the image, the books and the contest. *more silly grins*
Woo-hoo and woo-hoo! I plan to read Mockingjay this weekend too, and I wholeheartedly agree with your three-fingered salute assumption. AND...congrats on your awesome finish at Shelli's. :-)
love this post. It does look like lovers entwined. I haven't read mockingjay yet either and I'm so excited. I reread the first two again and they were so much better than I remembered. I'm hoping it will have all the things you mentioned.
Shannon: Loving the woos and hoos, thank you!
Mary: Isn't it funny how images pop out of unlikely places? I was walking along and, boom, had to stop and photograph it.
I felt the same way after reading the first two. :)
You've changed the look of your blog. I like it. I've been so far out of the loop, I can barely jump back in. You always post the most interesting photos. Carrots sometime look like that when pulled, legs crossed and other body parts dangling... I, too, am looking forward to the conclusion to the Collins series. I didn't realize it was out. But I also need to get back to my blog and my writing. I'm looking forward to putting the garden to sleep. But first I have to order my garlic and shallots...
I've missed being around these parts and congrats on the pitch contest. That's awesome!!!
Congratulations! (And good luck!!!)
Read Mockingjay this week. Luckily, my eldest daughter read it also so I had someone to discuss it with. I didn't want to read anything on line about it due to spoiler fear and now that I have read it, I don't want to post anything about it due to spoiler fear sooooo......
But I can tell you it did leave an imprint.
Shelley
Yvonne: Everything to its season--I'm glad you had garden-filled summer. I miss having a garden. I'm sure glad to see you back around. I've been sparse in blogland this summer myself.
Shelley: Thank you (in so many ways)!
Oh, I bet you and your daughter really had fun talking about it. My daughter is about to read it, too, so we'll talk and talk, I'm sure. :D
You should happy dance. That's SWEET! Congrats Pat. I am so happy for you.
And I have a root similar to that here on our property. Lovers entwined. I love, love, love it. :)
I haven't read MockingJay yet. But you know I will. :)
*hugs* And lots of love.
Robyn: Oh yeah to dancing. That's so cool you have a lover-root on your land. Take a picture! Hugs to you, too. So glad you're feeling better.
I thought it was a sculpture! I did not see a root until you mentioned it.
Enjoy Mockingjay. I did. I posted on The Hunger Games earlier this week- no spoilers, at least no Mockingjay spoilers- so you can feel free to read it. Plus there's an "analysis" of the whole Peeta-Gale choice :)
Ahh! She has another book out alrady?? I still have to read Hunger Games. Geesh. I'm so behind.
I can totally see the lovers entwined. How beautiful :) Isn't there an old fable about that? How two lovers couldn't be together and they ran away from a witch, and she transformed them into trees - but they entwined and were together for eternity? Congratulations on your honorable mention, how exciting!!! Happy dancing for you :)
Claire: I love that you thought it was a sculpture. How cool is that? I will come read your Mockingjay comments. I'm still finishing the book, since I had to go out of town for a day on errands.
Linda: OMG. Yes, you really need to read this trilogy. It's riveting and disturbing but so good.
Julie: I don't know that fable. I'll have to check it out. There are myths that have people turn into trees but I don't remember the lovers. Thank you. :D
I totally get the lovers' embrace in the roots. You've inspired me to go for a walk and see what I find. ;)
Suzanne: I hope it was a walk of wonders. ;)
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