J.S. Chase

J.S. Chase

" ... the silence was profound. "

Jan. 3, 2018
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from Desert Trails 

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For those who have been in the recesses of a desert canyon the feeling
is captured here evocatively by Chase: the silence was profound;
no breeze penetrated thus far; nor hint of delicate footfall; dead air
and pressure of heat; and the absolute solitude. Those who haven't
had this experience will find the nexus in Chase's words below from
his experience in Painted Canyon, as well, the accompanying 
photograph he made there.




photo by J. Smeaton Chase

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" After some miles I dismounted and sat down in the strip of shade at the foot
of the cliff. The silence was profound. No breeze penetrated thus far, no rustle of
wing, piping of insect, nor hint of delicate footfall broke the trance like stillness.
The dead air and the pressure of heat in that confined space added to the feeling
of absolute solitude. Only the swing of an eagle across the narrow ribbon of sky
told of life, motion, the sentient in Nature. On the sand nearby lay the carcass
of a raven. Then, momentarily breaking the spell, from some ledge far overhead
came a shower of pearl-like notes, the sweet, unvarying phrase of the canyon wren,
plaintive, beseeching, like Orpheus's farewell to Eurydice. "

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Here are several versions of the Orpheus/Eurydice story that the well read Chase,
refers to. A fitting metaphora, certainly for Chase's experience and feeling here.



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                   The Long version.
https://archive.vcu.edu/english/engweb/webtexts/eurydice/eurydicemyth.html

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      The illustrated version/ part one
http://www.storyboardthat.com/storyboards/shayshaynyx/myth-of-eurydice---orpheus
         
         part two/end
http://www.storyboardthat.com/storyboards/shayshaynyx/myth-of-eurydice---orpheus-pt--2
       
   
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