![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WG56knoH0rQ/TeOP-mi2UlI/AAAAAAAAi-A/lXle7xNkrPA/s400/Pink-Rose-Theseus-Temple%252C-%25C2%25A9-Merisi-Vienna-20110529_0202.jpg)
in the late afternoon sun
in front of the Theseus Temple
Volksgarten
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ymzqdjWMzg/TeOP-Y16lWI/AAAAAAAAi94/k-cbVsAci-s/s400/Theseus-Temple%252C-%25C2%25A9-Merisi-Vienna-20110529_0199.jpg)
1922 Bronze sculpture
by Josef Müllner
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EdnrblgF0hk/TePHdqgwiZI/AAAAAAAAi-k/cQCDm7MillA/s400/Theseus-Temple%252C-%25C2%25A9-Merisi-Vienna-20110529_0293.jpg)
Built by Peter von Nobile in 1823
to house Antonio Canova's "Theseus".
Early evening sun
lights the temple
and the ring of roses
in the foreground
*
Did you spy
the pigeons on the roof?
"Ce toit tranquille, où marchent des colombes"
"This quiet roof, where dove-sails saunter by"
("Le cimetière marin" by Paul Valéry,
translated by C. Day Lewis)
*
Sunday
29 May 2011
Images and Text
© by Merisi
Lovely roses, lovely setting, what more do you need.
ReplyDeleteSam
Dove sails. What an expression. I will remember it and always associate it with your exquisite Viennese views.
ReplyDeleteMerisi, I must also mention that this afternoon I will meet a friend for a belated celebration of her birthday. We will go to a neighborhood coffee house that has a bit of a European flavor. Demel's need not worry about this New York place, but we will definitely enjoy its coffees and pastries. I will keep an eye out for seasonal streudels.
xo
Sam,
ReplyDeleteI agree, it was a lovely walk into the sunset!
Frances,
"dove sails saunter by" - looking at the doves on the temple's roof, those lines immediately come to mind.
I really like how C. Day Lewis translated Valéry's poem (even though, in French, I melt every time I read it).
Happy Belated Birtday to your friend (who knows, we may even share the same day?), successful strudel hunting! :-)
Lovely pinks and creamy whites.
ReplyDeleteI once had a boyfriend that stood just like that.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to see the temple and surroundings fresh and well-tended. In my day, many beautiful places in the city were darkened by time - I scarcely recognize the Michelerplatz.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are a great pleasure and pleasant reminders of student days.
It's lovely to see the temple restored, fresh and well-tended. The city has been transformed since my student days - prettier now. The Michaelerplatz seems to have shed all its cares as well. Always impressive. So handsome now.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to see the temple and surroundings fresh and well-tended. In my day, many beautiful places in the city were darkened by time - I scarcely recognize the Michelerplatz.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are a great pleasure and pleasant reminders of student days.