Had he remained standing there too briefly, chances are he would not have let the place get to him and consequently decided to devote his life to it. A few minutes, maybe. Long enough to hear the wind in the already wind-bent pines, the wind in his ears, the wind in his trouser legs, the pebbles under the soles of his shoes, his hand fiddling with coins in the pocket of his leather jacket, the oystercatcher’s shrill, Morse-like biik-biik-biik-biik. I picture my father turning to the cinematographer and saying: Listen to how quiet this place is.
~ Linn Ullmann, ”Unquiet: A Novel”
Photo Credit
[…] via Saturday Morning — […]
with all of that beautiful sound around him, he was calmed and quieted inside
Yes. That’s it Beth.
I feel it. Thanks David.
Good. I did too Val. Have a good weekend.
You quoted from this author a month ago, and when I saw this beautiful quote I went into our local digital library and found the novel. I just checked it out so I can read it, thanks Dave.
So glad. Thanks for sharing Keith.
Keith, lucky you that you can get all those wonderful books from your local library…. I’m getting a slight feeling of jealousy – (not.)
interesting that often very visual people are profoundly affected in the auditory mode [I’m referencing NLP], and lovely to read Linn’s observation…
So true Val. I’m visual and impact is powerful. Thank you for the insight.
A moving articulation of the strong pull of nature. Beautiful post and quote, David, thank you.
It is, thanks Jet.
“the wind bent pines” Instantly knew he was standing swept up in the midst of shoreline, holding his breath against the beauty, overwhelmed he exhaled, drinking in.. nourished in the solitude…
beautiful, thanks Christie.
Those trees are the skyscrapers of the “New York” forest. I don’t know if that makes sense. When I saw the photo I thought it could be the forest version of NY. Not a piece of cement in sight.
Yes. As it should be!
A quiet Saturday morning is awesome
It is…