Handwriting on the Wall
Do you see it?
“Read the handwriting on the wall” is a phrase universally understood to mean “the signs of what’s coming are obvious, you dummy!” As a card-carrying dummy myself, I often find myself reflecting on those “obvious” signs later on, when the rubber has met the road. How could I have missed them? From popular trends to election results to our changing climate, there are ALWAYS major hints beforehand.
Here at “E-Musings,” we never “miss” an opportunity to delve into subjects of interest (to me, at least), and this edition of the newsletter is no exception.
First off, the origin of the phrase is Biblical…
THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL: DANIEL 5:23-28
“You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose power is your very breath and to whom belong all your ways, you have not honored.
24 So from his presence the hand was sent and this writing was inscribed. 25 And this is the writing that was inscribed: mene,[d] tekel, and parsin. 26 This is the interpretation of the matter: mene: God has numbered the days of[e] your kingdom and brought it to an end; 27 tekel: you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; 28 peres:[f] your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
Needless to add, King Belshazzar was NOT delighted with Daniel’s interpretation. As a matter of fact, the King died that same night!
MUSIC: HANDWRITING ON THE WALL
LOVE this gospel number, sung by Dottie Peoples and choir!
CAVE PAINTINGS: LASCAUX, FRANCE
Going even farther back in time, are the miraculously preserved cave paintings of animals found in Lascaux, France. Painted approximately 17,000 years BCE, they were discovered in 1940, when four teenagers followed their dog through the hidden cave entrance. The caves were opened to the public in 1948 (but closed in the 1960s, when the lighting was damaging the paintings.)
SISTINE CHAPEL CEILING
Michelangelo could be considered a “wall artist” too, right? Here’s a photo I snapped of that spectacular ceiling when Steve and I visited the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in 2018…my review: that Mike guy’s not half bad!
MEGA-MURAL
Murals can be found on buildings in most major cities (including my own Philly). One of the world’s largest murals is in Rio de Janero, Brazil. Named Todos Somos Um (We Are All One), the mural is almost a mile and a half long. Impressive!
Which leads us to something else found on walls in cities (and elsewhere)…
GRAFFITI
Here’s a fascinating short TEDEd video, asking the burning question: art, or vandalism?
THE ART OF BANKSY
London-based artist Banksy is perhaps the world’s most famous graffiti artist. One of his“Balloon Girl” paintings surprised everyone during a 2018 auction (read more below).
POEM: SONNET XLII From “Sonnets from the Portuguese” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
I can’t believe I haven’t featured one of my favorite poets before now. I love Elizabeth as much as I love her hubby Robert. This sonnet really speaks to me as I hurtle forward through later life (and try not to wish I was still young)…
'My future will not copy fair my past'—
I wrote that once; and thinking at my side
My ministering life-angel justified
The word by his appealing look upcast
To the white throne of God, I turned at last,
And there, instead, saw thee, not unallied
To angels in thy soul! Then I, long tried
By natural ills, received the comfort fast,
While budding, at thy sight, my pilgrim's staff
Gave out green leaves with morning dews impearled.
I seek no copy now of life's first half:
Leave here the pages with long musing curled,
And write me new my future's epigraph,
New angel mine, unhoped for in the world!
BLOG PREVIEW: AND NOW, A MUSICAL INTERLUDE
As a demon list maker, I’ve always loved Gilbert and Sullivan’s “I’ve Got a Little List” from The Mikado. What’s on MY little list? Check out my original parody of the song!
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
That’s the question, isn’t it? We have the gift of all this future, my friends—let’s make it wonderful!