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.
Nice spider! I really like the noir poster, and also the street art. Been years since I've gone to Venice Beach!
ReplyDeleteOctober is my favorite month of the year. In Tulsa we have warm sunny days and cool nights. Sign me up!!
ReplyDeleteAll gorgeous captures.
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
ReplyDeleteAll 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!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos, I love the murals and your October poem. Pretty beach scene.
Take care, have a great day and happy weekend!
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!!
ReplyDeleteLOL, it always cracks me up when I see the biologically dubious skeleton decorations pop up in October.
ReplyDeleteI think you really captured an October feel with your piece--sweetly spooky, with a nod to the somberness of winter just ahead.
Gorgeous! And the photos are wonderful too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. 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/
ReplyDeleteLove the painted mural with the woman with a butterfly wing coming out of her head :)
ReplyDeleteI 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 :))))
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.
ReplyDeleteAwesome series of photos ~ what fun for you and great poem ~ you write so well ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I enjoyed your pictures so much
ReplyDeleteAs always your photographs are beyond wonderful /// you have a magical way of combining them with poetry!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun poem Loved it and such great photos with some beautiful murals
ReplyDeleteHello Maria,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful 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.
I love public art. The butterfly image and spider are particularly evocative
ReplyDeleteIncredible noir poster!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely poem.. it's one of my favorite months.
ReplyDeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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. :)
DeleteOctober 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.
ReplyDeleteYoko
You weave such wonderful images. I particularly enjoy the thought of spiders snuggling. I wonder if they weave their own blankets and October tales.
ReplyDeleteAll the photos are lovely, too.
the pumpkin vines - yes, they are artwork!
ReplyDeleteLove your poem and its shape! Those murals really caught me. I do love October.
ReplyDelete