Thank you, Victoria. I almost quoted from Shelley's poem in my Note to promote the post, but in the end I went with John Donne. Ozymandias is truly haunting, isn't it?
“Ruins such as this one, or indeed, almost any of the ruins I've mentioned above, serve as a reminder of the impermanence of all our human projects. The empires or dynasties we construct, the structures we build, and the systems we pursue all fail, fall, or disappear.”
Reflecting on your (much enjoyed) reflective essay, Jeffrey. I can almost imagine walking through the ruins, relaxing as I do so. But it also reminds me of the book I’ve almost finished reading (Self-Renewal, by John Gardner) which talks about why dynasties and systems fail when they become too large and rigid, and how we might attempt to introduce more flexibility to guard against such dissolution.
Thank you, Nicola. I'm so glad you enjoyed the essay. The book you are reading sounds really interesting. Some structures or systems are good at keeping themselves going, and I'm sure that involves a degree of flexibility. I'm thinking, for example, of the Byzantine Empire and the British Tory Party. The former lasted a very long time, and the latter still goes on, despite many predictions of its imminent demise. But even it will disappear in time, I believe.
I think the word renewal in the book's title is significant. But perhaps one cannot be endlessly renewed.
Fascinating, Jeffrey. I really enjoyed this essay. I think the lady selling tickets sensed your air of scholarly knowledge and maybe felt that you didn’t need the information !
Thanks, Jeffrey, I've greatly enjoyed sharing your gently reflective visit to Furness distilled in the classic essay form at which you excel. My experience of the reading felt analagous to an immersion in still, cool water. Most calming. The photographic support is excellent.
Ruins have long held my imagination, for the many reasons which you reflect on in your essay. I also love how they do slow the grip of time, as you write--both backwards and forwards. There's something oddly reassuring about the fact that they no longer exist as they were intended, but still exist as something else in this time. And thank you so much for your kind words on my writing Jeffrey--means so much to have readers like you find something meaningful in my musings.
Thank you, Freya. I like what you say about the grip of time being released both backwards and forwards. By coincidence, in my day job, I've just been writing about (without truly understanding) time reversal experiments within the field of quantum mechanics. The old Abbey is a bit more pitureseque though...
Thanks Jeffrey - a beautiful piece which set me thinking as I am about to leave my place of work ( and your previous one) . Especially the point about systems and work that eventually dissolve or change with time…
Also , living near Tintern myself I often reflect on the lives of the monks and whether Cromwell was right ( and decide - yes he was!)
I'm reading Ken Follett's Kingsbridge series which is set in a fictional town, where the focus is on the cathedral (first book) and the bridge (second) and all the characters surrounding the monkhood during medieval England. So, your Dissolution essay seems on par with the world I've immersed myself into! And I notice you use a lot of Turner's paintings in your 'stacks. Do I detect another fan?
I have not been to Furness Abbey, but thank you for bringing the place to life in your words and in your audio. I very much enjoyed listening to your piece while out on a walk this morning in Hong Kong.
I became fascinated by that period of history too when I was at school, although I think more recently reading the Shardlake series by CJ Samson has helped too (have you read Dissolution by the author?)
Yes,indeed- 'the impermanence of all our human projects' - and yet how we long for legacy and remembrance. I used to live near Tintern abbey and would visit often. It always felt a melancholy place to me despite its beautiful Wye valley surroundings. Those ruined arches, still trying desperately to soar, just a memory of former glory. Sic transit etc etc.
I think for those of that don’t have children, we have to come to terms with a different sort of legacy - perhaps one of influence, or effect in some way.
Your words and photos took me there. Like others here, I thought of Ozymandias. Churches were empire-builders, weren’t they? And the poem is a hoot.
Thank you, Rona. Yes, it's one of my favourite Browning poems. Funny and well observed.
A lovely meditation— poised between abstract and concrete. You’re wonderful at drawing poetry into your essays. It made me think of Ozymandias—
Thank you, Victoria. I almost quoted from Shelley's poem in my Note to promote the post, but in the end I went with John Donne. Ozymandias is truly haunting, isn't it?
“Ruins such as this one, or indeed, almost any of the ruins I've mentioned above, serve as a reminder of the impermanence of all our human projects. The empires or dynasties we construct, the structures we build, and the systems we pursue all fail, fall, or disappear.”
Reflecting on your (much enjoyed) reflective essay, Jeffrey. I can almost imagine walking through the ruins, relaxing as I do so. But it also reminds me of the book I’ve almost finished reading (Self-Renewal, by John Gardner) which talks about why dynasties and systems fail when they become too large and rigid, and how we might attempt to introduce more flexibility to guard against such dissolution.
Thank you, Nicola. I'm so glad you enjoyed the essay. The book you are reading sounds really interesting. Some structures or systems are good at keeping themselves going, and I'm sure that involves a degree of flexibility. I'm thinking, for example, of the Byzantine Empire and the British Tory Party. The former lasted a very long time, and the latter still goes on, despite many predictions of its imminent demise. But even it will disappear in time, I believe.
I think the word renewal in the book's title is significant. But perhaps one cannot be endlessly renewed.
Thanks. Yes, I will think about your last sentence as I read the last 1/3 of the book ...
Fascinating, Jeffrey. I really enjoyed this essay. I think the lady selling tickets sensed your air of scholarly knowledge and maybe felt that you didn’t need the information !
Thank you, Maureen! Goodness, I hope I didn't come over as some southern English snob to her 😊
No, you would never appear snobbish, Jeffrey ! Just quietly knowledgeable.
Thanks, Jeffrey, I've greatly enjoyed sharing your gently reflective visit to Furness distilled in the classic essay form at which you excel. My experience of the reading felt analagous to an immersion in still, cool water. Most calming. The photographic support is excellent.
Thank you for your kind words, Pauline. I'm grateful to you for reading, and I'm really glad you enjoyed the essay.
Ruins have long held my imagination, for the many reasons which you reflect on in your essay. I also love how they do slow the grip of time, as you write--both backwards and forwards. There's something oddly reassuring about the fact that they no longer exist as they were intended, but still exist as something else in this time. And thank you so much for your kind words on my writing Jeffrey--means so much to have readers like you find something meaningful in my musings.
Thank you, Freya. I like what you say about the grip of time being released both backwards and forwards. By coincidence, in my day job, I've just been writing about (without truly understanding) time reversal experiments within the field of quantum mechanics. The old Abbey is a bit more pitureseque though...
A great way to explore the idea of dissolution, Jeffrey. A very enjoyable read :)
Thank you very much, Michael! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Love that last shot, Jeffrey - "Jupiter's beard" tucked into the ruins of his supplanters. ;)
Visited Glastonbury Abbey many moons ago, also found its slow decay so romantic.
Thank you, Troy. I couldn't resist taking that photo. I think the flower is also called "devil's beard," which is also interesting in this context.
Thanks Jeffrey - a beautiful piece which set me thinking as I am about to leave my place of work ( and your previous one) . Especially the point about systems and work that eventually dissolve or change with time…
Also , living near Tintern myself I often reflect on the lives of the monks and whether Cromwell was right ( and decide - yes he was!)
Thank you, Anne. Good luck with whatever comes next! I hope it involves plenty of time to explore significant places like Tintern or Furness.
I'm reading Ken Follett's Kingsbridge series which is set in a fictional town, where the focus is on the cathedral (first book) and the bridge (second) and all the characters surrounding the monkhood during medieval England. So, your Dissolution essay seems on par with the world I've immersed myself into! And I notice you use a lot of Turner's paintings in your 'stacks. Do I detect another fan?
Hi Lani, thank you for commenting. Yes, I'm a big fan of Turner!
Me, tooooo!
I have not been to Furness Abbey, but thank you for bringing the place to life in your words and in your audio. I very much enjoyed listening to your piece while out on a walk this morning in Hong Kong.
I became fascinated by that period of history too when I was at school, although I think more recently reading the Shardlake series by CJ Samson has helped too (have you read Dissolution by the author?)
Thank you, Sarah! I'm glad you enjoyed the essay. I haven't read Dissolution by CJ Sampson. It seems like I should take a look. Thanks for the tip!
Dissolution is the first in the series, and the rest are great too.
A beautifully cadenced essay on life's fleeting impermanence
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing!
Yes,indeed- 'the impermanence of all our human projects' - and yet how we long for legacy and remembrance. I used to live near Tintern abbey and would visit often. It always felt a melancholy place to me despite its beautiful Wye valley surroundings. Those ruined arches, still trying desperately to soar, just a memory of former glory. Sic transit etc etc.
Thank you, June. I've seen the sign for Tintern Abbey many times, but never been. Yes indeed, we yearn for legacy, don't we?
I think for those of that don’t have children, we have to come to terms with a different sort of legacy - perhaps one of influence, or effect in some way.
Yes. The way we influence others matters.
What a reflection! Place, history, culture...
just wonderful, Jeffrey, and I also enjoyed the voiceover.