Photography | Inside the Mind of Isadora

On November 7, 2016, the sad news was announced that the prominent poet, novelist, musician, singer, songwriter and paint artist, Leonard Cohen had died. He was born on September 21, 1934 in Westmount, Quebec, Canada.
His work explored religion, politics, isolation, sexuality, and personal relationships. He won the Chester Mac Naghten Literary Competition for the poems “Sparrows” and “Thoughts of a Landsman.”

His song “Suzanne” became a hit for Judy Collins who subsequently covered a number of Cohen’s other songs, as well, and was for many years his most covered song. He was also associated with many other performers including Sharon Robinson, Jennifer Warnes and Anjani Thomas. ©wikipedia

During the New York City’s folk scene in Greenwich Village, I had the pleasure of being exposed to his words from other poets who were reciting his poems and aspiring to be as good.

It’s a formidable loss of an incredibly revered visionary artist.

May you Rest in Peace,

Isadora

2022©Isadora DeLaVega

leonard-cohen-8-book-leonardcohenonleonardcohen-burger-650
“Hallelujah” was first released on Cohen’s studio album Various Positions in 1984.

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If It Be Your Will

If it be your will that I speak no more
And my voice be still as it was before
I will speak no more, I shall abide until
I am spoken for, if it be your will

If it be your will that a voice be true
From this broken hill, I will sing to you
From this broken hill, all your praises they shall ring
If it be your will to let me sing

From this broken hill all your praises they shall ring
If it be your will to let me sing

If it be your will, if there is a choice
Let the rivers fill, let the hills rejoice
Let your mercy spill on all these burning hearts in Hell
If it be your will to make us well

And draw us near, and bind us tight
All your children here in their rags of light
In our rags of light, all dressed to kill
And end this night, if it be your will, if it be your will

Song Lyrics

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Official site for Leonard Cohen

September 21, 2022
by Inside the Mind of Isadora 6 Comments

CCC – Reflections of Mother Earth

Nature is painting for us … day after day… pictures of infinite beauty©anonymous

***Reflections of Mother Earth*** 2022©Crspina Kemp

This photograph above is in response to

Crispina’s Crimson Challenge photo below.

Enjoy …

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Crimson Creative Challenge – #202

to join in click here and read below

Every Wednesday Crispina will post a photo (this week it’s that one above.)

You respond with something CREATIVE

Here are some suggestions:

An answering photo
A cartoon
A joke
A caption
An anecdote
A short story (flash fiction)
A poem
A newly minted proverb, adage or saying
An essay
A song—the lyrics or the performance

September 19, 2022
by Inside the Mind of Isadora 5 Comments

WDYS – A Child is Born

The morning sunrise was brilliant.

They enjoyed breakfast on the patio.

A game of chess in the garden was their plan for later that afternoon.

Suddenly, a cramp caused her body to flinch.

The laborious suffering of childbirth had begun.

A precious child would be joining them soon.

Their lack of experience weighed heavy, draining their emotions.

They felt anxious; yet, they’d been waiting months for this moment.

With tear filled eyes, she grasped his hand and flinched again.

The physical pain would soon reward them with a glorious gift.

A gift filling their hearts with immeasurable happiness and love.

2022©Isadora Delavega

For Sadje’s ‘What Do You See’ Challenge

to join in click here

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Word Count: 100

Genre: Flash Fiction

Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema@Unsplash

September 14, 2022
by Inside the Mind of Isadora 48 Comments

Friday Fictioneers – Spikey Audrey

The artist stood back as he eyed his creation. Not too bad, he thought.

It does need something to enhance the color. White spikey thorns flowed from the paintbrush. Perfect.

Roger completed ten paintings for the gallery opening in one week, with Spikey Audrey being his last.

The crowds eyed his paintings with philosophical implications. Customers whispered as sold stickers indicated sales.

Roger heard a voice behind him, “It looks like you’ve betrayed your philosophies.”

“Mercy me if it isn’t cynical, Mona.”

“Sorry, darling, I expected more than flowers from you.”

“It’s all business, not art, my dear, just business.”

2022©Isadora De La Vega

Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©Trish Nankeville

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Rochelle @ Addicted to Purple hosts Friday Fictioneers

to join in click here

September 1, 2022
by Inside the Mind of Isadora 2 Comments

CCC – Changing Marina

Sialing, Sailing, over the bounding main ….©James Frederick Swift

As soon as we approached the marina at St. Thomas, I could see his face turning red.

“Do you see this, Laura Lee?”

“Yes, I do, Max.”

“Things are changing. I used to love this little marina. Now, it’s always under construction and overcrowded with boats in every little space. It won’t be long before we don’t have a dock for our sailboat. I can recall when we’d be the eye candy for all who loved a beautiful sailboat. Now, we can barely navigate around these obstacles.”

“Max, lookout. There’s a cruise ship coming; starboard side.”

Crunch

Help!

Man overboard.

2022©Isadora De La Vega

Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt: Crispina Kemp

Crimson Creative Challenge – #199

to join in click here

August 19, 2022
by Inside the Mind of Isadora 14 Comments

Friday Fictioneers – You

You

He looks at her lying there on the blanket. He’s mesmerized by her luscious curves.

The lotion she cautiously applied to her skin glistens in the sun’s rays.

Her ocean-drenched golden hair trickles droplets onto her shoulders.

She is lying blissfully below an azure sky.

He is wondering, what she’s thinking?

Her beauty is matched only by the surrounding peaceful beach setting.

You isolate by choice.

You are not alone.

Passion grasps his emotions with tender feelings of sensuality.

You are captivating.

You are bewitching.

You are mysterious.

You.

Are what I want!

You.

I want to know,

You.

2022©Isadora De La Vega

Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

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Rochelle @ Addicted to Purple hosts Friday Fictioneers

to join in click here

*****This was written for another challenge in February. I received one comment. I thought I’d repost on this challenge since it fit the photo prompt.

August 18, 2022
by Inside the Mind of Isadora 12 Comments

WDYS – Love was like a River

Gazing out, I realized this was our place.

We sat here by the river, watching it flow, holding hands, and confessing our hopes and dreams.

I remember when you said that love was like a river. You thought the river waters gush created a surge like love with its’ many highs and lows.

Here by the river, my once empty days had been filled with love. You were my smile in the morning when I arose. You were the hug before I fell asleep.

What happened to us?

Where are those days of love that flowed like a river?

2022©Isadora Delavega

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For Sadje’s ‘What Do You See’ Challenge

to join in click here

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Word Count: 100

Genre: Flash Fiction

Photo Credit:Stormseeker@Unsplash

August 13, 2022
by Inside the Mind of Isadora 9 Comments

CCC – Elsie the Cow

What do you get from a pampered cow? Spoiled milk..lol

Elsie had been a good cow.

Pa said she had produced more milk than any of his other cows.

It was a sad day when he had to sell her. The farm payments were due.

She was a gentle cow.

I cannot read since she’s gone. She always laid under a perfect shady tree out in the field. She was the ideal pillow for leaning on.

I know Pa was disappointed with what he had to do. He said a milk corporation heard about her large milk production. Now, she’s on a milk label called Elsie the Cow.

Poor Pa

Borden’s added the image and name for Elsie the Cow click here for more info.

Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt: Crispina Kemp

Crimson Creative Challenge – #196

to join in click here

August 2, 2022
by Inside the Mind of Isadora 11 Comments

CCC – His Time Ran Out

We docked 8:30 a.m.

I was tired from dancing the night before we arrived at Aruba.

After a quick shower, we went for breakfast and the nectar of the gods; coffee.

The ship would dock for 6 hours. We didn’t know how long it would take to get around the island. We needed to find the National History Museum of Aruba.

It was a small island but very busy. Cars darted by as we walked the four city streets to the museum.

It was hot and windy. The balmy breezes cooled the heat tremendously. Willie had talked about the trade wind currents of the island.

At last, we arrived. It was a small museum dedicated to the people’s history and the slaves who were imprisoned on the island.

Willie arrived in Aruba when he was commissioned to do a mural for the summer home of one of his art collectors. In the six months it took him to complete the outdoor patio wall, he grew to love the island. He purchased a home, and so began his Aruban lifestyle.

Being from New York, he wasn’t sure if he’d feel a part of the island. Slowly he began to feel comfortable with the islanders and island life. He felt part of his community.

A gallery owner had an exhibition for him within a few months of residing on the island.

Restaurant owners noticed his artwork at the exhibit. A few asked if he would barter for meals. Banks, libraries, and town buildings donned his artwork on their walls. He received a commission to do the illustrations for the Aruban History book. Life was good.

After a few years, when his health began to falter, he flew to the states to get checked at the veteran’s hospital. He had been an illustrator during the Vietnam war. He drew battle images while in the fields. He told stories of the frightening danger around him and how his lungs burned from the chemicals of agent orange spraying.

He never returned to his beloved Aruba. He died barely six months after returning to the states. His time had run out.

Historis Di Aruba
Artist Dedication
Book Illustration
Aruban Museum
Colorful Buses
Original Artwork
Shackled Slave
Aruba

Genre: Memoir

Word Count: 357

Photo Prompt: Crispina Kemp

Crimson Creative Challenge – #194

to join in click here

*****William De La Vega was my husbands 1st cousin. His entire childhood was spent drawing, painting and sketching a variety of artwork. He traveled the United States and Europe, painting his way through life. He never married or had children. He never settled down until he arrived in Aruba. Art was his life … sadly, he ran out of time at age 38 in 1977.