An Ode to Roses
“Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) composed a constellation of riddle poems that we are meant to solve, but one of them was freighted with such ecstasy that the poet just could not help herself: she divulged the answer, herself.”—Chiara-Sophia Coyle
Clicks & Relativity
By Chiara-Sophia Coyle
SONOMA California—(Weekly Hubris)—1 July 2021—Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) composed a constellation of riddle poems that we are meant to solve, but one of them was freighted with such ecstasy that the poet just could not help herself: she divulged the answer, herself.
A sepal, petal, and a thorn
Upon a common summer’s morn—
A flask of Dew—A Bee or two—
A Breeze—a caper in the trees—
And I’m a Rose!
Rose Petal Moisturing Cream for Dry Skin
You will need:
● 2 large handfuls of freshly cut rose petals
● 50 ml almond oil or virgin olive oil
● 5 gr. beeswax
● 15 drops of rose essential oil
● 1 teaspoon of wheat germ oil
How to make it:
Put the petals in a glass bottle with a wide neck, seal the bottle, and place it in a spot facing the sun. After three weeks, drain the oil. Add the beeswax to the oil and melt it in a baking pan. Once cool, add rose essential oil and wheat oil. Store the cream in a sterile jar and let it “sit.”
Chiara-Sophia Coyle
Born in the United States in the 1960s (then, transplanted to a very small, remote Greek island at the age of three months); brought up in a bilingual and frequently culturally conflicted environment; repatriated to Homeland No. 1 some 25 years ago; descended from four generations of photographers, Chiara-Sophia Coyle was acquainted with photography from an early age; always pursued by her mother, Rolleiflex at the ready, recording and sharing scenes of family life with absent grandparents and her children's working-at-sea father. Photography became Coyle's own escape as a young teenager. Kodak Instamatic in hand, the sound of the twist and the advancement of the film music to her ears, she began exploring all the elements of the Aegean: water, light, white, blue. While never an income generator, photography is what kept the artist sane as she navigated the challenges of single parenting, and endured the endless longing and aching for Homeland No. 2. Experimenting, early, with Emulsion Transfers, Coyle moved on to printing in her own dark room; then, to digital and iPhotography, constantly experimenting and exploring the new. Based in Sonoma, California, Coyle is an Expat Life Coach and Retreat Leader and continues to travel, photograph, and work with what feeds her soul, wherever she may be: the people, the water, the reflections, the abstract. Her current art may be found on Instagram (@chiarasophia1); contact her at [email protected]. (Author Head Shot Augment: René Laanen.)
One Comment
Anita Sullivan
What magic! Your rose photos make it possible for me to enter the Flower as if I were a very small person just the right size to be exploring this mysterious, powerful landscape. I feel my understanding of size and texture to be expanded. Thank you very much!