"Let all your things be done in Love." (1 Corinthians 16:14)
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Introduction:

My photo
Current: Danbury, CT, United States
Welcome! A few years ago, I discovered an application that artists employ in their works to bring cultural awareness to their audiences. Having discerned this semiotic theory that applies to literature, music, art, film, and the media, I have devoted the blog,Theory of Iconic Realism to explore this theory. The link to the publisher of my book is below. If you or your university would like a copy of this book for your library or if you would like to review it for a scholarly journal, please contact the Edwin Mellen Press at the link listed below. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Announcements

I will present or have presented research on Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan) or my semiotic theory of iconic realism at the following location(s):

2023-2025: I will be researching and writing my third book on iconic realism.

April 2022: American Conference for Irish Studies, virtual event: (This paper did not discuss Sydney Owenson.) "It’s in the Air: James Joyce’s Demonstration of Cognitive Dissonance through Iconic Realism in His Novel, Ulysses"

October, 2021: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT: "Sydney Owenson’s use of sociolinguistics and iconic realism to defend marginalized communities in 19th century Ireland"

March, 2021: Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, North Carolina: "Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan): A Nineteenth Century Advocate for Positive Change through Creative Vision"

October, 2019: Elms College, Chicopee, Massachusetts: "A Declaration of Independence: Dissolving Sociolinguistic Borders in the Literature of Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan)"

23 October, 2025

Falling Leaves, Prayers Answered

Autumnal View from my Back Door


 Falling Leaves, Prayers Answered

A cycle of renewal
causes leaves to fall,
replenish the soil,
and build a life force
that completes their purpose.

Each tumbling leaf 
makes me think of 
prayers answered, 
Blessed from above. 

As I walk 
through the fallen leaves,
I feel joy 
as a breeze blows one leaf
right into my face.

Then, my smile coalesces
with gentle thoughts
of Gratitude 
for the answered prayer.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos


(My reading of this poem is on Pod-omatic at the bottom of this page.)

22 October, 2025

Empty Nest

 

Empty Nest

Nest of winter

left over from the hot, summer months,

carefully interlaced grasses

rest peacefully against a raftered wall.

This nest that once was the home, 

center of life for the young feathered ones

whose songs welcomed sleepy ears each morning

and sang 'good night' echoes to begin each evening. 

Now, the silence reigns,

bringing with it the howling, wintry winds, 

as the strength of woven grasses awaits

another answered prayer for the warmth and hope 

of Spring.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

21 October, 2025

The Mill

Long ago, a friend told me about this beautiful mill, located in Floyd County, Virginia. I found a picture of it in a history book and saw the serene beauty of this sight, so I took out my oil paints and painted my own version of the mill: Mabry Mill is its name. Below are two photos. One is a photo from Google Images. The other is my painting of the lovely Mabry Mill in Floyd County, Virginia. The poem revolves around this stalwart mill.

The 'melodious Lark' in the poem refers to Ralph Vaughn Williams' masterpiece, The Lark Ascending. You can hear the lovely melody if you click HERE. 

Photo of Mabry Mill, Virginia
 from Google Images
 
My painting of Mabry Mill, Virginia
                                             

The Mill

Quietly and peaceful
 The Mill does stand
In harmony with God's land,
and in its tranquil solitude
the melodious Lark 
sings its sweet etude. 
All the while, 
the Mill in steady repose sings: 

"I'll be here
as long as the wind does carry
His song through the realms of time. 
I'll be here for you ~ 
My love will ne'er weary
for your spirit 
inspires
my Joy. 

© Jeanne I. Lakatos


(To hear my reading of this poem on Pod-omatic, click HERE.)

19 October, 2025

One Waft


A waft of air, lifting leaves from a tree in my backyard.

One Waft

One waft of autumnal air: 

tumbles the gold leaf 

and lifts the hawk's wing; 

each with its own resolve.


© Jeanne I. Lakatos

18 October, 2025

Goal: Inspiration


Me, on my side deck, years ago,
reading Sydney Owenson's (Lady Morgan's) Book of Memoirs

Goal: Inspiration

With each cleansing breath 
she inhales 
the aroma of the glow, 
releases 
toxic confusion,
breathes 
purity of heart and mind,
feels
the respiration 
moving through her body.

Through her brain,
each thought
dances
to effervescent stirrings 
as her dream
evolves
from ache to inspiration.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos


To hear my reading of this poem, please click HERE .

17 October, 2025

"Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy, A Deleted Segment of Walt Disney's 1940 film, "Fantasia"



Click below to view the film clip: 

I came upon this beautiful interpretation of "Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy, deleted from the final version of the Disney classic film, Fantasia. A visual and aural illustration of life's circularity, this film depicts innovation in the art of filmmaking for the time in which the artists and musicians collaborated to create this film. The love expressed in this one scene makes my heart sing. Moreover, I really love the blue tones in the scene above, for they remind me of the very early morning, right before sunrise, when the flora and fauna all contain shades of blue.  

Below is the opening recitative from my operetta, Luminescence, an interpretation of the 13th century poem, Roman de la Rose. It also focuses on the moon as it relinquishes its light to the sun:

The moon, known as Lunula, emits a soft, silver glow onto the indigo and deep green foliage where life renews in the created shadows of the garden’s crevices. Then, she silently dismisses darkness from the fertile land. As daybreak slowly creates an elusive blush, Lunula moves aside to allow her eminence, the sun, its splendid glow in the dawning light. Knowing that her radiance is dependent on the reflection of the sun, Lunula illuminates this shaded, overgrown venue with dignity and grace, providing inspiration for the precious life over which her luminescence humbly drifts. 

© Jeanne I. Lakatos 

To hear me read this, please click HERE.

16 October, 2025

Guided Steps

This photo reveals the gorgeous mountains of Cullowhee, North Carolina

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation..." (Isaiah 52:7) kjv

Guided Steps 
To serve, 
to bring joy,
to surround oneself 
with the Love of Him 
by whom the sacrifice
bestows onto to us a purity 
of spirit, grace, and everlasting peace. 
To walk alone with the One 
who justifies our being
with purpose of Love
through faithful steps,
guided by Divinity. 

© Jeanne I. Lakatos