Connection

Saturday 21 January 2012

Mathinna by Thomas Brock, 1842
You drive barefoot to the post office.  You are aware of the thoughts that people have about grown women who choose to sometimes not wear pieces of material upon their feet.  You are ascribed a range of propensities, attitudes and behaviours by this simple fact.


But you are flying around in the air in your head.  The thoughts are racing through like wind and you need to be on the ground.  You go home and sit on the grass for 10 minutes, away from technology, and suck it in through your soles.


Mathinna would not wear shoes either.  Her body knew what the civilised forget - that the earth nourishes your injured instincts.  She speaks right beneath your feet.  






8 comments

  1. If there wasn't snow on the ground, I'd go lie down outside right now - you've inspired me.

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  2. soles on the earth
    soul of the earth

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  3. I love going barefoot, too, Sue. My feet smile when I do:)

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  4. "suck it in through your soles" - just beautiful, Sue. And thanks for the introduction to Mathinna

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  5. Her's is rather a sad story, Tess.  I first heard of her via a novel I just finished reading, called Wanting by Richard Flanagan.  She was adopted in the 1830s by the then-Governor of Tasmania and his wife, who tried to "civilise" her.  The project failed and her life ended pretty tragically.  This painting purposely had her feet covered by the outside frame.  I like seeing them here, free and unfettered :)

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  6. It's rather a powerful thing to do, Harry.  I wonder how many sensors we have in our feet?  Probably heaps.

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  7. Yeah.  That's a lovely thought isn't it, Kel.

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  8. Thanks, Barb!  :)

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