Estas Tonne (acustic guitar)

Most amazing guitarist of our time plays "Russian Nostalgia"...

Sonnet No. 29

"...For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings, That then I scorn to change my state with kings..."

La Place Rouge (Nathalie)

Le soir Nostalgie....
Very few people know this song by it’s original name, “La Place Rouge” – to every Russian Natasha, this the song is about her and to her… To all Nathalies!

Mon Amie La Rose.....

Follow Francoise’ sweet voice…….. You will be amazed where you may find yourself at the end of this song.
Bon Voyage……………

Happy Birthday to all Pisces in the world!

Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed........

Oleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Los Farruco – the first family of flamenco dance – is a famous flamenco dynasty known for its electrifying performances of Spanish Gypsy art. Conceived and directed by Farruquito, grandson of the legendary patriarch El Farruco, this program features La Farruca, daughter of El Farruco, noted for her passionate dancing; her son, Farruco, a rising star in flamenco known for his remarkable footwork; La Faraona, dubbed “the mother of buleria” by her father El Farruco; Barullo, grandson of El Farruco, who maintains the elegance of traditional flamenco dance

“Granada” Means Pomegranate...”

“I shut my eyes… to every thing
That called me back to every-day life”
(Washington Irving)

Capturing the spirit of Granada,
Watching an autumn sunset,
From secluded galleries and gardens,
Where the only sound to be heard –
The gentle murmur of the fountain
And the trill of nesting bird…

Snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada
Are touched with red and the pink
Of ancient towers of Alhambra,
Silhouetted against the mountains,
Bent down by the weight of myths
And ready to relive another dream…

The delicate beauty within the walls,
Granada’s mood’s ever so sorrowful…
Scattered silence of the Moors’
Still alive amidst the splendid ruins…

…I shut my eyes
Breathing in an exotic scent,
Letting in sounds and colors…
So vivid was the experience,
I have tasted on my tongue
Bloody-red of the pomegranate…
March 21, 2009

Fieldston Pond frozen...

This poor duck, I have to mention here,
Had no girlfriend for the past two years…
When the weather was brutally cold,
He was protecting
This shrinking waterhole
From freezing…
All alone….

Fieldston Park

"Meditation on Metta Sutta"

The Buddha’s Words on Metta Sutta (Love)

This is what one needs to do,
The one who knows what is good,
Who has understood the path to Peace
And in search for the ultimate Truth.

He should be able and upright,
Of good speech and kind,
And free from pride,
He should be contented,
Living simply and satisfied…

Let him think,
“May all beings be well and safe,
May they be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be,
Whether moving or standing still,
With no exception at all,
Whether great, large or small,
Whether tiny or substantial,
Whether seen or unseen,
Whether living far or close by,
All beings are Divine…

Let none deceive or despise another,
In anger or in hate
Let none wish harm…
Standing, walking, seated,
Lying down,
He should always fix his attention
On this recollection.”
***********************
This, they say, is the Divine,
Not falling into false opinions,
Endowed with belief and vision,
He will forever inspire and shine…”
March 18, 2009

“Random Thoughts”

“Random Thoughts or Restless Evening”

I’m not in the mood for tea,
For coffee it is rather late,
I never liked warm milk,
Tonight I’ll be content
With honey and French bread …

The evening feels restless,
Threatens to spoil gentle night.
A dozen of timepieces,
Of different shapes and size,
Are forcefully advice,
"‘Tis time…"
***************
Restlessness. Tired I am not.
Recounting my dreams and thoughts –
Some are humorous,
Some are rather odd:

As recently as yesterday
My woman-boss (don’t ask me why)
Has labeled me a …saboteur,
She made me feel a Soviet spy!
****************
From sad to inspiring and nice,
My thoughts had drifted to Sevilla –
Reliving once again Flamenco nights
At a sizzling-hot Tablao El Arenal…

From happy Seville to lethargic Granada,
Where the proud Alhambra crowns the hill…
Where the Gypsies’ aggressive team
Forcing bystanders to buy
Twigs of rosemary and thyme…
******************
The evening has now expired,
My mood is neither sad nor light,
‘Tis time to delete daily hassle
And slowly dive into the night…
****************
Suddenly this phrase was recalled,
Copied a day or two ago:
“The ingredients of happiness
Come very cheap tomorrow…”

On the morrow then,
At a better price!…
It made me smile
And wonder for awhile:
Which kind of happiness is cheaper
And why….
******************
Then this one question
Came to mind,
“In a stretch between twenty and forty
How much of the magic left
In once adventurous girl?...

Has life worn away her exuberance?
Can she still be the daring and keen?” –
I’d say, it would sure depend on her man –
He may add or wipe out her zeal…
March 7, 2009

“An Emptiness Reigns…”

“An Emptiness Reigns…”

An emptiness reigns in my heart…
Well-known streets are deserted and long,
The skies have no clouds, no stars
Things look familiar, yet something is wrong…

I asked the wind, “What has happened?”
I asked the rain, “What went wrong?”
The wind kept hissing something incoherent,
The rain had no answer, it cried on and on…

I was sad, irritated and puzzled –
Someone or something must know the truth…
Then I heard a movement, a rustle:
“The answer lies in your own heart…”
**************************
Clouds and winds are shaping new dreams,
Stars are as bright and as precious….
Time is a river made of events –
Always there but never the same…
January 10, 2009

"Eeriness"