Gray Matthews
@grayhiker.bsky.social
Radical contemplative, long artist, retired educator, grandfather, vigilant wonderer, living deliberately in deadening times
I wanted to post a poem by Denise Levertov today in lively response to current events, but I decided to share a quote from her essays about stopping "the accelerating tumble,” instead, for anyone who might appreciate her eloquent gifts and passionate love of life.
November 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I wanted to post a poem by Denise Levertov today in lively response to current events, but I decided to share a quote from her essays about stopping "the accelerating tumble,” instead, for anyone who might appreciate her eloquent gifts and passionate love of life.
This is excellent. Got it yesterday. Almost devoured whole already. “Don’t just throw up your hands in the air and accept the demise of democracy,” says Joyce Vance on page 53. Read this book before you throw your hands up, and maybe before you even eat another meal. The sooner, the better.
October 22, 2025 at 4:12 PM
This is excellent. Got it yesterday. Almost devoured whole already. “Don’t just throw up your hands in the air and accept the demise of democracy,” says Joyce Vance on page 53. Read this book before you throw your hands up, and maybe before you even eat another meal. The sooner, the better.
Mr. Bessent: You want to get the government out of the way of . . . what? Or is it who? Are you trying to tell us that you want to open it . . .so you can then move it . . . out of the way?
October 15, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Mr. Bessent: You want to get the government out of the way of . . . what? Or is it who? Are you trying to tell us that you want to open it . . .so you can then move it . . . out of the way?
This is not a picture of sitting and doing nothing.
This is a picture of peering into the depths of what so many fear to see, fear to admit, fear to face.
James Baldwin said “it is the innocence which constitutes the crime” (The Fire Next Time, 1963, p. 6).
This is a picture of peering into the depths of what so many fear to see, fear to admit, fear to face.
James Baldwin said “it is the innocence which constitutes the crime” (The Fire Next Time, 1963, p. 6).
October 6, 2025 at 3:22 PM
This is not a picture of sitting and doing nothing.
This is a picture of peering into the depths of what so many fear to see, fear to admit, fear to face.
James Baldwin said “it is the innocence which constitutes the crime” (The Fire Next Time, 1963, p. 6).
This is a picture of peering into the depths of what so many fear to see, fear to admit, fear to face.
James Baldwin said “it is the innocence which constitutes the crime” (The Fire Next Time, 1963, p. 6).
Agreed. Here’s an image of my selected text to start with.
September 29, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Agreed. Here’s an image of my selected text to start with.
Just got my copy of this today and encourage everyone to read Vanessa Machado de Oliveira who invites us to “interrupt 5 lies that neurocolonization instills in us” and to choose 4 capacities “necessary to our—and Earth’s—survival” instead.
Vibrant alternative light for navigation here.
Vibrant alternative light for navigation here.
August 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Just got my copy of this today and encourage everyone to read Vanessa Machado de Oliveira who invites us to “interrupt 5 lies that neurocolonization instills in us” and to choose 4 capacities “necessary to our—and Earth’s—survival” instead.
Vibrant alternative light for navigation here.
Vibrant alternative light for navigation here.
1/2 The Walk ahead...
July 19, 2025 at 2:07 PM
1/2 The Walk ahead...
One of my most favorite lines in all of poetry is from a poem by Joy Harjo called “Charlie and the Baby.” Here is the line:
“Every word that’s ever said tries to find a way to live."
From: 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 (2015, 43).
“Every word that’s ever said tries to find a way to live."
From: 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 (2015, 43).
May 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
One of my most favorite lines in all of poetry is from a poem by Joy Harjo called “Charlie and the Baby.” Here is the line:
“Every word that’s ever said tries to find a way to live."
From: 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 (2015, 43).
“Every word that’s ever said tries to find a way to live."
From: 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 (2015, 43).
“Any relentless activity allows responsibility to evaporate.”
Hannah Arendt said that in 1964, and explained “Nobody one can think unless they stop” to think (59-60). Responsibility can develop then. Thinking, therefore, is resistance against the relentless evaporation of response abilities.
Hannah Arendt said that in 1964, and explained “Nobody one can think unless they stop” to think (59-60). Responsibility can develop then. Thinking, therefore, is resistance against the relentless evaporation of response abilities.
April 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
“Any relentless activity allows responsibility to evaporate.”
Hannah Arendt said that in 1964, and explained “Nobody one can think unless they stop” to think (59-60). Responsibility can develop then. Thinking, therefore, is resistance against the relentless evaporation of response abilities.
Hannah Arendt said that in 1964, and explained “Nobody one can think unless they stop” to think (59-60). Responsibility can develop then. Thinking, therefore, is resistance against the relentless evaporation of response abilities.
Elena Pulcini [1950-2021] was an Italian social philosopher greatly concerned about the care of the world we barely live in. Her last book, published posthumously in 2024, argues for better appreciating our passions as social resources for generating a livable future... like a river (& not a dam).
April 18, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Elena Pulcini [1950-2021] was an Italian social philosopher greatly concerned about the care of the world we barely live in. Her last book, published posthumously in 2024, argues for better appreciating our passions as social resources for generating a livable future... like a river (& not a dam).
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 20/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Beech Forest,” Gustav Klimt (1902)
Day 20/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Beech Forest,” Gustav Klimt (1902)
April 16, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 20/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Beech Forest,” Gustav Klimt (1902)
Day 20/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Beech Forest,” Gustav Klimt (1902)
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 19/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Isaac Newton,” William Blake (1795)
Day 19/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Isaac Newton,” William Blake (1795)
April 15, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 19/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Isaac Newton,” William Blake (1795)
Day 19/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Isaac Newton,” William Blake (1795)
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 18/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Girl and Laurel,” Winslow Homer (1879)
Day 18/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Girl and Laurel,” Winslow Homer (1879)
April 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 18/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Girl and Laurel,” Winslow Homer (1879)
Day 18/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Girl and Laurel,” Winslow Homer (1879)
“To all those who in their intractable intellectual immobility…we should shout: Do not be ashamed of becoming humble…so that we can stand up."
—Jan Patočka, Czech philosopher, from “Reflection on Defeat,” written in 1938, republished in Living in Problematicity (2020, p. 30-31).
—Jan Patočka, Czech philosopher, from “Reflection on Defeat,” written in 1938, republished in Living in Problematicity (2020, p. 30-31).
April 13, 2025 at 1:30 PM
“To all those who in their intractable intellectual immobility…we should shout: Do not be ashamed of becoming humble…so that we can stand up."
—Jan Patočka, Czech philosopher, from “Reflection on Defeat,” written in 1938, republished in Living in Problematicity (2020, p. 30-31).
—Jan Patočka, Czech philosopher, from “Reflection on Defeat,” written in 1938, republished in Living in Problematicity (2020, p. 30-31).
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 17/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Melancholia” Aurelie Philippe (2017)
Day 17/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Melancholia” Aurelie Philippe (2017)
April 13, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 17/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Melancholia” Aurelie Philippe (2017)
Day 17/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Melancholia” Aurelie Philippe (2017)
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 16/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“L’Absinthe” or “In a Cafe,” Edgar Degas (1876)
Day 16/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“L’Absinthe” or “In a Cafe,” Edgar Degas (1876)
April 12, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 16/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“L’Absinthe” or “In a Cafe,” Edgar Degas (1876)
Day 16/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“L’Absinthe” or “In a Cafe,” Edgar Degas (1876)
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 15/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“The Listening Room,” Rene Magritte (1952)
Day 15/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“The Listening Room,” Rene Magritte (1952)
April 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 15/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“The Listening Room,” Rene Magritte (1952)
Day 15/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“The Listening Room,” Rene Magritte (1952)
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 14/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Lake George Reflection,” Georgia O'Keeffe (1922)
Day 14/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Lake George Reflection,” Georgia O'Keeffe (1922)
April 10, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 14/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Lake George Reflection,” Georgia O'Keeffe (1922)
Day 14/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Lake George Reflection,” Georgia O'Keeffe (1922)
2 of 2: “There is real intelligence here…one that welcomes the unusual, wanders freely, and…generally returns with an image that opens out our plain world without distorting it angrily or recklessly."
—Roger Lipsey (1988, p. 401)
—Roger Lipsey (1988, p. 401)
April 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM
2 of 2: “There is real intelligence here…one that welcomes the unusual, wanders freely, and…generally returns with an image that opens out our plain world without distorting it angrily or recklessly."
—Roger Lipsey (1988, p. 401)
—Roger Lipsey (1988, p. 401)
1 of 2: After the inanities dominating US news yesterday, I took solace in seeing this image by art photographer Jerry Uelsmann (1970 print) called “Poet’s House.”
April 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
1 of 2: After the inanities dominating US news yesterday, I took solace in seeing this image by art photographer Jerry Uelsmann (1970 print) called “Poet’s House.”
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 13/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Lake Annecy,” Paul Cezanne (1896)
Day 13/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Lake Annecy,” Paul Cezanne (1896)
April 9, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Choose 20 paintings/sculptures that have stayed with you or influenced you — one piece per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just paintings.
Day 13/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Lake Annecy,” Paul Cezanne (1896)
Day 13/20
#BlueskyArt
#Art
#Painting
#shareart
“Lake Annecy,” Paul Cezanne (1896)