October Forever: From Venice Beach To Crescent Beach

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The sky was dark in Venice and a little spooky in the West Los Angeles community. Somehow I missed seeing the canals and bridges reflective of its namesake in Italy.
Night arrived and a sense of Noir filled the Venice air which is reflected in the mural (above) painted on a parking lot wall. My visit was in late August but it seemed a bit Halloween-ish, when I look at my pictures, and more like "October", the Poets and Storytellers United prompt. If I were a month, I would be October … summer still lingering in places yet on the cusp of a deeply foreboding but great winter mystery.
It wasn't just black and white in Venice or nearby Santa Monica. Murals and street art covered a vibrant spectrum of colour and designs as part of beautifying initiatives. 
Back home (below) I found autumn in its early transformative stages at Crescent Beach where the frailties of life, still lush, were changing for all to see.
Why is it that a random toss of nature so often lands like a work of art?
I was glad to see the pumpkins and puddles back ...
but not so sure about the decorative spiders.
Explore more at Poets and Storytellers United, SKYWATCH and Saturday's Critters. 


Because the state of our planet is the most pressing issue of our time, link up and learn about the  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report.

HOLD ONTO THE LIGHT

Comments

  1. Spare Parts and PicsOctober 5, 2023 at 11:58 AM

    Nice spider! I really like the noir poster, and also the street art. Been years since I've gone to Venice Beach!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yogi♪♪♪October 5, 2023 at 1:33 PM

    October is my favorite month of the year. In Tulsa we have warm sunny days and cool nights. Sign me up!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. magiceyeOctober 5, 2023 at 6:14 PM

    All gorgeous captures.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JimOctober 5, 2023 at 6:34 PM

    Interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  5. DeniseinVAOctober 6, 2023 at 3:18 AM

    All wonderful images! Loved your poem too. This looks like a very interesting area. The murals are great and loved the leaf on the ground, and the pumpkin. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  6. eileeninmdOctober 6, 2023 at 3:50 AM

    Hello,
    Wonderful photos, I love the murals and your October poem. Pretty beach scene.
    Take care, have a great day and happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  7. RajaniOctober 6, 2023 at 4:44 AM

    f I were a month, I would be October … summer still lingering in places yet on the cusp of a deeply foreboding but great winter mystery. - this is a wonderful line. Great pictures and I also like "wishing i could delay december in a foolish endeavour.." nice and moody!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. RommyOctober 6, 2023 at 4:56 AM

    LOL, it always cracks me up when I see the biologically dubious skeleton decorations pop up in October.

    I think you really captured an October feel with your piece--sweetly spooky, with a nod to the somberness of winter just ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Rosemary Nissen-WadeOctober 6, 2023 at 5:55 AM

    Gorgeous! And the photos are wonderful too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. colleenOctober 6, 2023 at 9:21 AM

    Beautiful. I love 'woos webs' and knocking on doors. Here is my post of Venice Beach in 2012 with a shot of the canals. https://looseleafnotes.com/2012/02/venice-anyone/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mystic MeanderingOctober 6, 2023 at 10:00 AM

    Love the painted mural with the woman with a butterfly wing coming out of her head :)

    I do feel the "frailties of life" and a bit of melancholy with that, facing the reality of my own Autumn days, on the cusp of the great mystery of Winter - (old age :))))

    ReplyDelete
  12. JinksyOctober 6, 2023 at 11:21 AM

    Cleverly constructed 'vase-form' is an interesting read, and accompanying photos add visual colours to those painted in the mind by your words. A satisfying whole.

    ReplyDelete
  13. carol l mckennaOctober 6, 2023 at 11:24 AM

    Awesome series of photos ~ what fun for you and great poem ~ you write so well ~ Xo

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Debi SwimOctober 6, 2023 at 1:13 PM

    I enjoyed your pictures so much

    ReplyDelete
  15. HelenOctober 6, 2023 at 4:55 PM

    As always your photographs are beyond wonderful /// you have a magical way of combining them with poetry!

    ReplyDelete
  16. MarjaOctober 6, 2023 at 8:59 PM

    What a fun poem Loved it and such great photos with some beautiful murals

    ReplyDelete
  17. eileeninmdOctober 7, 2023 at 4:35 AM

    Hello Maria,
    Beautiful images and a lovely poem. Happy October, it is a beautiful month. Love the murals! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Rose POctober 7, 2023 at 7:30 AM

    I love public art. The butterfly image and spider are particularly evocative

    ReplyDelete
  19. Light and VoicesOctober 7, 2023 at 12:23 PM

    Incredible noir poster!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hena TayebOctober 7, 2023 at 2:22 PM

    Such a lovely poem.. it's one of my favorite months.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Shiju SugunanOctober 7, 2023 at 9:37 PM

    The contrast between the eerie Venice murals and the natural beauty at Crescent Beach is striking. Your poem is a wonderful piece that evokes the spirit of the season. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  22. David M. Gascoigne,October 8, 2023 at 4:42 AM

    I can only imagine that you are very happy to welcome fall and gain relief from the hellish heat that British Columbia seems to routinely experience year after year. And you must be happy to return to the natural beauty of your corner of the world after the garishness of California.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Penelope NotesOctober 8, 2023 at 5:45 AM

      I found the places I visited more vibrant than garish with natural beauty all around. But it is always good to be back home, especially in the fall. :)

      Delete
  23. stardustOctober 11, 2023 at 5:00 AM

    October is my favorite month. “Usually” it’s not too hot or too cold, just right weather. I love your magical poem. As I read on, the words contained in the vase started to dance around and the story unfolded before my eyes. Have a nice autumn, Maria.
    Yoko

    ReplyDelete
  24. Magaly GuerreroOctober 12, 2023 at 1:17 PM

    You weave such wonderful images. I particularly enjoy the thought of spiders snuggling. I wonder if they weave their own blankets and October tales.

    All the photos are lovely, too.

    ReplyDelete
  25. MargaretOctober 13, 2023 at 6:24 PM

    the pumpkin vines - yes, they are artwork!

    ReplyDelete
  26. purplepeninportland.comOctober 20, 2023 at 5:26 PM

    Love your poem and its shape! Those murals really caught me. I do love October.

    ReplyDelete

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