They are not long ...

They are not long, the weeping and the laughter,
Love and desire and hate:
I think they have no portion in us after
We pass the gate.

They are not long, the days of wine and roses;
Out of a misty dream
Our path emerges for a while, then closes
Within a dream

Ernest Dowson (1867-1900)


Notes :

As I composed this photograph lines from Dowson's thoughtful and seemingly melancholic poem, 'Vitae summa brevis spem nos vetat incohare longram' (The brevity of life forbids us to entertain a long duration - the title is taken from Horace's 'Odes'), claimed the still of the moment.

In summary the words tell me, we are not long of life - the brevity - (in relative terms) and it is best to cherish our moments - the days of wine and roses. To seize each day and celebrate the feast that is our life!

Spot metered off the light globe, which as far as I can tell has endured for over 40 years since installed, well beyond its ordinary measure.