What is life? The flash of a firefly in the night, the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. –Native American Blackfeet–
Every man has a different idea of beautiful…best to take the gesture, the shadow of the branch, and let the mind create the tree.–Wm. Faulkner
A man cannot jump over his own shadow–Yiddish proverb
Beware the dog–it’s shadow will not bite. –Danish proverb–
Worry gives a small thing a big shadow. –Swedish proverb–
If you stand straight, you need not fear a crooked shadow.–Chinese proverb–
Observe carefully, and you will find wisdom even in the shadows. –African proverb–
One can live within the shadow of an idea without grasping it.–Elizabeth Bowen–
The shadow is often more interesting than the object itself.–Ellen Thompson–
There are dark shadows on earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.–Charles Dickens–
Imagination is the real and eternal world, of which this vegetable universe is but a faint shadow.–Wm. Blake (1757-1827)
No hill is without gravestones, no valley without shadows. –South African proverb–
Like our shadows, our wishes lengthen as our sun declines.–Edward Young–
Count your nights by stars, not shadows; count your life with smiles, not tears.–Italian proverb–
All images c2013 Naomi Baltuck
All words and images copyright 2012 Naomi Baltuck
NAOMI BALTUCK ~ is a Contributing Editor and Resident Storyteller here
at Bardo. She is a world-traveler and an award-winning writer, photographer, and story-teller whose works of fiction and nonfiction are available through Amazon HERE. Naomi presents her wonderful photo-stories – always interesting and rich with meaning and humor – at Writing Between the Lines, Life from the Writer’s POV. She also conducts workshops such as Peace Porridge (multicultural stories to promote cooperation, goodwill, and peaceful coexistence), Whispers in the Graveyard (a spellbinding array of haunting and mysterious stories), Tandem Tales, Traveling Light Around the World, and others. For more on her programs visit Naomi Baltuck.com
The BeZine 
these are SO beautiful! and the blending between proverbs and images is so well done!
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Thank you, Liliana!
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As always, lovely. The color in the first photograph is gorgeous, Naomi.
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Thank you, Jamie. Bea and I were out walking in the countryside in Maine at the Golden Hour, when everything is gorgeous.
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Naomi, These are great photos! We have been experimenting with shadow puppetry/play. We introduced it into a two week long workshop we led in Hong Kong, where the tradition is rich indeed. The experience was deeply moving and immense fun for all. Now we are playing with how it might be used here in the West.
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Hi Michael,
Thank you for your generous response. I found storytelling by way of puppetry, and played with shadow puppets–such a mysterious art form! There is a puppet theater in Oregon, and my friend Betsy Tobin does some amazing work with shadows in performances for mostly adults in Colorado. Once I think they even did an outdoor program with shadows projected on a sandstone cliff behind the performers. I’m sure you could find her on the internet. If you are interested, I could give you her email.
Best wishes,
Naomi
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Beautiful, sensitive and profound photos and proverbs.
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Thank you, Gretchen! I’ve heard it said that through proverbs we can squeeze the wisdom of a culture into one short phrase.
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Perfect pairings of quotes and pictures, like a sumptuous tasting banquet of food and wine! I especially like the first quote, Blake’s phrase “…this vegetable universe…”, and the photo that illustrates “…our wishes lengthen as our sun declines…”. Thank you for serving this feast!
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Dear Scilla,
Thank you so much for partaking–the perfect hostess gift!
Warmly,
Naomi
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Wonderful.
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Thank you, Victoria. It is always good to hear from you.
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Naomi: Thank you for this feast! I love you amazing gift of playing with shadow and light
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Hi Robert,
I am so glad you could stop by, and I thank you for taking the time to share your very kind response.
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