James Welling, 011, From the Flowers series, 2011. Courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery, Paris.
by Alex Ramírez Álvarez
SOME PEOPLE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND THE LOVE OF THEIR LIFE IN A CLASS ROOM, AND WISE ENOUGH TO HOLD ON TO THAT PERSON FOREVER.
Summer break was almost over and a new school year was about to begin, Andrew was very anxious about going back to his last year of high school.
On the first day back, he realized there was a new girl, Lucy. Andrew thought she was the most beautiful person he had ever laid eyes on and felt nervous to even picture himself talking to her, but something inside him pushed his feelings, so he decided to take the risk.
When the class was over Andrew approached his new classmate. He said hi, she replied hello… their minds were blank. Andrew and Lucy agreed to stay and chat when the school day was over. During the day, Andrew had a strange feeling in his gut, he couldn’t pay attention during classes and neither could Lucy.
Once the anticipated moment came they left the building and wandered around the school gardens looking at each other. Both confessed they felt shy around the other and very happy to have met.
Months went by, Lucy and Andrew grew fond of each other, they became best friends but neither of them wanted to take the first step and start speaking about their feelings. Finally, Lucy decided to ask him out on a date before the winter break arrived. Andrew was very excited and said yes, he bought flowers and planned to ask her to be his girlfriend… At their favorite burger joint Lucy said yes and life became amazing. All these wonderful feelings of love had ups and downs but they decided to stay together and face all challenges.
Time kept moving forward: school year ended, they went to the same college; later they got married, had children and lived happily ever after. Not like in a Disney fairy tale but one of true LOVE. They were made for each other!
LOVE is the most wonderful feeling, without it, there is nothing.
LOVE everything you do, LOVE yourself and others.
Alex Ramírez Álvarez is a student of 1st trimester.
James Welling, 021, From the Flowers series, 2006. Courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery, Paris.
SELECTED POEMS
James Welling, 012, From the Flowers series, 2006. Courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery, Paris.
Monna Innominata [I loved you first]
by Christina Rossetti
I loved you first: but afterwards your love, Outsoaring mine, sang such a loftier song As drowned the friendly cooings of my dove. Which owes the other most? My love was long, And yours one moment seemed to wax more strong; I loved and guessed at you, you contrued me And loved me for what might or might not be— Nay, weights and measures do us both a wrong. For verily love knows not ‘mine’ or ‘thine’; With separate ‘I’ and ‘thou’ free love has done, For one is both and both are one in love: Rich love knows nought of ‘thine that is not mine’; Both have the strength and both the length thereof, Both of us, of the love which makes us one.
Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) was a British poet. Her work is marked by symbolism and intense feeling and is considered of much importance in Victorian literature.
She Walks in Beauty
by Lord Byron
She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that’s best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impaired the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o’er her face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express How pure, how dear their dwelling place. And on that cheek, and o’er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent!
George Gordon Byron (1788-1824) was a British poet and leading figure in the Romantic movement. His poem She Walks in Beauty is said to be the most romantic poem in English literature.
James Welling, 019, From the Flowers series, 2006. Courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery, Paris.
James Welling, 012, From the Flowers series, 2011. Courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery, Paris.
She Walks in Beauty
by Lord Byron
She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that’s best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impaired the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o’er her face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express How pure, how dear their dwelling place. And on that cheek, and o’er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent!
George Gordon Byron (1788-1824) was a British poet and leading figure in the Romantic movement. His poem She Walks in Beauty is said to be the most romantic poem in English literature.
