"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)"

15 May, 2025

Sensuality of the Morning Garden

One morning, the birds were in their glory: singing, chirping, and busy with their daily activities. I live in an area of Connecticut that is blessed with much beautiful greenery and wildlife. Long ago, I looked at this photograph of an abandoned canoe, and the first thing that came to mind was the tranquility of an abandoned garden on a steamy day, much like the one we have here today and such as the one which is the subject of my operetta, Luminescence, an interpretation of the medieval French epyllion, Roman de la Rose. 

Below is an excerpt from my operetta,
Luminescence, which might reveal a sensorial view of morning in this magical garden.  
Morning Recitative
(from my operetta, Luminescence)

Lush overgrowth 
forms an inspiring, prolific canopy
Tender petals compete
for limited radiance
of the morning’s brilliance.
Abandoned
by inheritors of this fertile land,
the garden flourishes independently 
in floral splendor.

A cooling brook meanders
through the twisted, scented undergrowth,
creating a reflective ribbon,
adorning this Eden 
with bubbling ballads.

Elegant, colorful bouquets embellish
fertile banks with a natural brilliance.
Soothing resonance musically honors the presence
of Divine intelligence.

Flowers open their petals,
attracting the arrival of winged courtiers,
who pollinate their eager pistils.
They clamor close to the wall,
reflecting wisdom of the struggle
to remain vibrant in this forgotten place.

Their beauty blends resplendent
color with fragrance,
giving the garden vitality,
as one more day brings a splendid luster
into the chaos of the untamed garden.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

I extend much gratitude to the following brilliant musicians, who have transposed (or are in the process of transposing) an Irish melody compiled by Sydney Owenson (1804) into 5 musical genres for this operetta: Dr. Marjorie Callaghan (medieval) and Mr. Daniel Kean (baroque and classical).

14 comments:

  1. You used such lush, descriptive words in this piece ... a thing of beauty.

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  2. Beautiful, Jeanne! Beautiful and sensuous. The yearning pistils...

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  3. Very sensual. I love each one of these!

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  4. Helen: Thank you for your very kind words!
    Karen: Thank you so much. I appreciate your comments.
    Mary: Thank you, kindly. I was hoping this would fit the challenge.

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  5. captivating read and very sensual ending

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    1. Thank you, Christine. Actually, it's just the beginning. ; )

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  6. all cool verses,
    love the 3rd one the best,
    way to go.

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  7. nice....i like the blend of these...i appreciate each of them but that third one is my fav...i find flowers a great vehicle for sensuality....

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  8. Thanks, Brian. Yes, indeed, flowers lead a very sensual existence. In fact, "The Sex Life of Flowers" by Bastiaan Meeuse was part of my Masters Thesis bibliography.

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  9. wow, you wrote an operetta? That's amazing! I have a deep love of opera.

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    1. Hi Jessica. Yes, I still haven't worked out all of the music, but what the musicians have transposed for me is beautiful! As soon as I complete my Ph.D., I plan to complete the operetta, so it will be performance ready. I've had several publishers who demonstrated interest in printing the Libretto. Very exciting! Thanks for your interest!

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  10. attracting the arrival of winged courtiers,

    So loved that line!

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    Replies
    1. It's one of my favorites, too, Margaret! Thank you!

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