The Dragons of Life

Artist: Julie Marks
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The Dragons of Life

Many years ago, My travels to Africa taught me about the strength of the human spirit. Despite poverty and adversity, I met men, women and children with great pride, strength and dignity. Although bent in body, this old man was
strong in spirit, courage and nobility. I was profoundly moved
by his strong sense of pride and courage in a small village
in Kenya.

I dedicate this poem to his wonderful spirit:

“How should we be able to forget those ancient myths that are at the beginning of all peoples, the myths about dragons that at the last moment turn into princesses; perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave. Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being is something helpless that wants help from us.

So you must not be frightened, if a sadness rises up before you, larger than any you have ever seen; if a restiveness, like light and cloud-shadows, passes over your hands and over all you, do you must think that something is happening with you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand; it will not let you fall…”

Ranier Maria Rilke
Translated by Coleman Barks

Please view in large format. All sales from my African
photography are donated to the charities that empower
and improve the quality of life for the African people and
wildlife.

The Dragons of Life belongs to the following groups:

Complex Simplicity of Art, ! Inspired Art !, Accentuate The Eyes, AFRICAN ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY, All the Colors of the Rainbow, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, ART HOUSE PRODUCTIONS INTERNATIONAL, AW Welcome Center, Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Featured Features - For Featured Art, Photography, T-Shirts, Writing, First Things, Freedom to Shine, Friends of RedBubble, ImageWriting (2/24), Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, Out of the Past, People and Portraiture Photography, Remember When, Street Photography and Photojournalism, The Art of Intrigue 2/24, The Human Condition, THE SISTERHOOD, The true beauty, The Woman Photographer **7 Submissions a week only please**, Travel and Adventure and Vibrant and Vivid Color