'Is this the generation of love? Hot blood, hot thoughts, and hot deeds? Why, they are vipers. Is love a generation of vipers?'
William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida (1609)
Although love, lust and passion is the inspiration for so much of what writers, poets and lyricists create, it's always fascinated me that so much of what they create is written when they're completely alone. I guess it makes sense, our most intense feelings of both love and lost usually occur when there's a distance between our bodies, and the body of the one covet and yearn for.
Graze on my lips, and if those hills be dry,
Stray lower, where pleasant fountains lie.
Hamlet
For me, writing is an isolating experience, by choice and by design. I prefer no one around, sometimes not even in the house as even if they're quiet, the possibility of interruption can halt the flow of creativity. I can have noise, but it must be soft, jazz or easily listening music on low, or a television show I have no interest in. If anything in the music or on the TV pulls my attention, it can often be difficult to get my focus back.
Pistol’s cock is up,
And flashing fire will follow.
Henry V
Richard Rothstein's imaged of Lincoln, visually conjure up exactly how I imagined a day of writing was for ole' William. A leisurely walk through the gardens of his quaint cottage in the small English market town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Carrying his and quill pen and pile of rough paper, he was probably anxious to get as much written as he could before losing the sun's daytime light and returning home to finish writing by candle light.
I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap, and be
buried in thy eyes.
Much Ado About Nothing
I fell a week bit in lust with Lincoln when featuring his work with Richard this past July. (Under the Boardwalk) His beautiful face and body, and curly brown hair make him the perfect model to embody the famous writer, in fact I don't believe the Bard of Avon...ever looked so becoming.
Continuing with his theme of loudly celebrating living out loud, and expressing his childhood fantasies from a homonormative perspective, New York photographer Richard Rothstein takes on his vision of Shakespeare as well as a world famous New York tradition through his unique perspective and his artist's eye. Richard's work is always full of life and energy, but I love the soothing feel to this series, much like we imagine Shakespeare felt when alone with his creative thoughts and ideas. If you want to see more from Richard's series of Lincoln in the park, check out Page 2 HERE:
Flesh stays no further reason, but rising at thy name.
Sonnet 151
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