Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray.
Lord Byron
Last Sunday was a day of chasing rainbows..
To capture these images, I had to leap on my bed and reach out the bedroom window with the camera. It definitely pushed my status as neighbourhood nut up a few levels. To see them in all their technicolour glory you can click them to biggify.
The rainbow disappeared in mere moments
“The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work.” anon
Monday the rainbow appeared again...
Hmmm I hardly ever see rainbows, then two in a row? What is going on? Am I being forced to look at the bright side of life? 
The phrase 'Chasing Rainbows' is used when trying to achieve something that is not possible or practical. I wonder what miserable bugger decided that 'chasing rainbows' would be the appropriate idiom for that? Imagine having a job in which you travelled the world trying to capture rainbows? I think it would be superb.
When writing It all floats to the bottom I intended to write something like this post to accompany it, but didn't have the words or idea for it, until I saw that rainbow. It seems to me that a rainbow is perfect imagery for deep emotions on the whole sliding scale of feelings.
The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.
John Vance Cheney
I wonder what other countries think of rainbows, I know, for me, that they are intrinsically wrapped up in the stuff of legends and folklore (fairies and leprechauns). What do other cultures think of them? What is the symbolism of a rainbow for you?
Other ponderings...
I am not a spiritual person, but just because I see the science behind a natural wonder, it doesn't actually take the wonder away for me. Everyone is entitled to have their own views on it and I doubt the rainbow cares. I have used and still use the word 'soul' and other such words, but for me the word 'soul' just sums up the inner workings of a person, nothing mythical, magical or spiritual, but beautiful all the same.
When I told the rainbow what its colors meant, it laughed ~ Marty Rubin
Nothing Profound ~ June 11th 2009
Three days of sky, the wonderful view from my front door... This week just gone has disappeared in a haze of cleaning products and hoovering, but I am glad I took a few moments to breathe, open my eyes and capture a few nice moments. Hope you had the chance to do the same? If you didn't, then there is always tomorrow.
Posts
You had to jump out of bed and ... I'm sorry, did you write anything after that?
ReplyDelete@Mark1 I had to leap 'on' to my bed, I was not in it. Window is above bed and I needed access to window :)
ReplyDeleteI think that rainbows here in the States mean very much the same thing as they do over there - pot of gold at the end with a little man standing guard over it holding a shaleighlee (wrong spelling there no doubt!) to smack your hand when you try to grab the gold!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't know how anyone could look at a rainbow and not feel better or not enjoy the fact that it's there. Even if you never could get to the end, it would probably be an interesting adventure trying to get there!
What a lovely post! Your most poetic so far.
ReplyDeleteRainbows are rare here in NY but it's always a thrill to see one. When I lived in Arizona you'd get double rainbows all the time, one criss-crossing the other. It was very erotic as if they were making love. Great quotes-that Marty Rubin must be some kind of genius.
"Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what's on the other side? Rainbows are visions, but only illusions. Rainbows have nothing to hide. So we've been told and some choose to believe it. I know they're wrong wait and see. Someday they'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me."
ReplyDeleteI've been singing that song a lot to little Xander, and it's the first thing that popped into my head when I read your post. :)
I LOVE YOUR ILLUSTRATION!!!
ReplyDeleteYes I needed to shout that ^_^.
Also the text that goes along with it, is excellent. You again prove that you have brilliant writing skills.
Usually I don't chase rainbows. Whenever one appears I have a conversation with it. Well at least I try, the rainbow is usually too busy shining brightly and happy surrounded by shades of grey. But just looking at a rainbow instantly gives you a happy feeling! I simply stare at it ^_^.
Oh and the last qoute is my fave in this post! Indeed a genius man ;D!
Have a lovely Sunday! I shall make some pictures today. The sun is shining! (and yes tidy a bit here and there hehehe)
Ciao!
Lovely post. I followed your link over from Frapto, and I'm glad I did.
ReplyDeleteRainbows are a happy, cooperative effort between many unlikely participants. The rain, the sun, the atmosphere, and chance positioning all must align for this natural beauty to emerge. I too see science, which is mystical enough for me without wrapping nonsense around it for "further meaning". Science is sufficient explanation for me, and science can be both beautiful and horrid.
One of the most wonderful aspects of a rainbow is its fleeting nature. To catch a glimpse of a rainbow is like a special treat, as though one has stumbled upon something that they were not meant to see. Often the rainbow can only be seen for a short period of time, and all else halts for the opportunity to gaze upon the spectacle of light dancing in the sky.
Moments of beauty that allow one to step away from their routine to marvel over bending light are truly golden opportunities. That's the type of gold that I would like to make me rich.
@ Linda, I thought it would be pretty similar. I had a quick look (googled) what symbolism rainbows had for Native Americans and found:
ReplyDeleteSky Band / Rainbow - Leading to happiness.
I rather like the term Sky Band.
I definitely think that if there were a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, then there would also be a wee man ready to smack you, hehe.
Your next photographic mission is to find a rainbow :)
@Nothing Profound, Not sure it is actually poetic, just found other people that could say it better than I :)
The way you described the rainbows in Arizona, is positively lovely, what a sight to see. Marty Rubin fella certainly knows his stuff.
@Haley, Oh that sounds so cute! Does he respond to it? What song is it? A million questions for you to answer lol.
@TJ, Hey dude, you always say the nicest things! I really really need some better materials, the paper I use isn't good enough and the colouring pencils are rubbish! So I need to go doodle supply shopping soon.
I can imagine a rainbow coming to find you and inspiring you :) I could stare at them all day, but they never last that long! I think that is what makes them special.
Can't wait to see doodle area!
@David - Hey David, thanks for popping over from Frapto :)
You managed to sum up my whole post in one beautiful comment. I was pondering on people's attitude to godless and had to wonder why some of the religious folk think that just because one doesn't believe in a higher power, one is missing out on the beauty in the world.
Sign me up for your type of gold, sounds wonderful :)
I was worried at first that this photo a day thing would become boring fast, or a pain in the arse, but so far I have loved it! Hope you have to?
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Thanks everyone for reading! I always worry about these type of posts, sometimes it is hard to match the words with the pictures I take and the doodles I draw.
Claire, I did not know you are a photographer as well. These photographs are really lovely. I also appreciate the way you've shared Marty Robin's wonderful quote.
ReplyDeleteHope to see more samples of your nature photography.
PearlTrader
The photographs are beautiful, and oh so timely! Just yesterday I was typing away at my computer and looked up and out my window to see the most freakishly beautiful and vibrant rainbow I think I've ever seen in my entire life. I sat there with my mouth open, literally astounded by its beauty. So here's to chasing rainbows.
ReplyDeleteRainbows are always so inspirational.
ReplyDeletegreat post - I agree with that anon. quote. More of the world should think that way. I think the most rainbows I've ever seen in a short period was in Ireland when I lived there for a few months. I suspect that UK and Ireland get more rainbows because the sun is lower in the sky.
ReplyDeleteRecently I discoverd moonbows (rainbows at night). I have only seen them on the internet. Kinda rare since you need a full moon and rain.
A Rainbow is always so beautiful.. great post and it was nice of you to leap out bed just to capture the moment
ReplyDeleteAh, Byron and Marty--- couldn't have chosen better! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, as always. I always enjoy when it rains along my commute home and the sun is in the right angle--
little rainbows get kicked up from the mist of the car tires... It seems so out of place to see modern vehicles shooting up little rainbows.
Claire, it's the Rainbow Connection, as made famous by Kermit the Frog. I thought for sure you'd know it. Perhaps I'm dating myself... :)
ReplyDeleteXander loves to be sung to. He laughs and giggles. It's one of our favorite games.
P.S. The version of Rainbow Connection I sing to him was covered by a band called Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Look them up online. I think you'd like them.
ReplyDeleteReally i love watching rainbow..but it's so rare here
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteThe scientist in me always thinks about light refraction in the raindrops, but the visible beauty and wonder of this natural phenomenon awes me. That's why I believe so many people throughout time have attached spiritual/mythical/mystical significance to rainbows.
We have many rainbows in the summer, almost daily (or more), but I never tire of them and have to stop what I'm doing and go outside to look.
ReplyDeleteNice post.
Wow! great share. Excellent pictures. I like this blog. I am follow you. Thanks!
ReplyDeletehey nice rainbow snap.. yup i also like rainbow very much...
ReplyDeleteHey u chased the rainbow and got it...good..I was wandering if you were here u did not had to chase them. We always find them on our heads. But the way u conveyed was just absolute stunner..Liked it..keep writing..will keep reading..
ReplyDelete@Pearl Trader, I will definitely doing more flower/nature shots.
ReplyDelete@Cathy, How spooky and cool :) I wish I could have seen it. Camera at the ready next time please :)
@Jean-Luc, Absolutely :)
@Lisleman, The moonbows sound absolutely fascinating, if you find out any more please come back and tell me.
@Fatima, not quite out of bed, but still an extra leap lol
@Jenn, I love seeing that too, well apart from thinking of the pollution :) Glad you like the quotes, a right mixture of the classics heh.
@Haley, I have never been a Kermit fan, so I will have to look that one up. I love the idea of xander laughing and giggling, saw the video of him the other day and my face hurt from smiling whilst watching it!
@Dorothy, Oh it is a shame that they are rare where you are :(
@ConditionCog, Thanks :) It is nice to know that natural phenomenons are appreciated by those of a scientific mind without it being clouded by good/evil factors :)
@ChrisJ, Another person whom I shall encourage to capture rainbows with their cameras, as well as their mind :)