Landscape of the Good Life

Landscape of the Good Life  

“The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.” – Zeno*

Painting and Poem by Dr Abe V Rotor

Aerial Landscape - an impressionistic painting in acrylic 

by AV Rotor, Brisbane, Australia, August 5, 2023

Sometime, somewhere, in time and space, 

     seasons come and go. 

Lo! to us, we seldom see our world change,

     above and below. 

Fog, cloud, mist or smog, we may not know -

     summer without spring,

We wonder if winter has passed without snow,

     have we heard the birds sing?

Sunrise or sunset - it does not matter,  

     flying high above,

cruising on a jet plane, or on water,

     as fast as our hearts throb.

What is this realm we claim the Good Life

     away from Nature, 

living under a shroud of endless strife -

     how long can we endure?

Zeno of Citium (336 – 265 BC) - Greek philosopher and mathematician, founder of Stoicism which laid great emphasis on goodness and peace of mind gained from living a life of virtue in accordance with nature.

"My wish is to stay always like this, living quietly in a corner of nature." –Claude Monet (Founder of Impressionism)

"Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself." –Henry David Thoreau

"Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience." –Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Nature is the source of all true knowledge.” –Leonardo da Vinci

“Choose only one master—nature.” –Rembrandt

"Nature is pleased with simplicity." –Sir Isaac Newton