Carpe Diem

DP Photo Challenge, Photos, Poetry, , , , , , , , 50 Comments

The world has followed with apprehension the terrorist attack perpetrated in the Paris’s office of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo. That was not the end of it as a later attack and assassination of a policewoman, who was only 13 days on the job, took place in the same day.

While the police was frantically hunting the two terrorists, the French nation was surprised today by another attack in Paris, to a Jewish grocery shop,  claiming the lives of four hostages.

The siege went on for more than 80 hours. It is now ended with no more victims, except the terrorists themselves, who were after martyrdom.

Yesterday evening I joined my husband, who is a journalist, during the demonstration of solidarity organized in Amsterdam, with the presence of our President, the Mayor of Amsterdam, and over 18.000 people. It was a very emotional gathering. Freedom of expression, all freedoms, were celebrated.

While following today’s siege on live TV, I pondered once again about life’s fragility and idiosyncrasies. And that’s when I received from my sister, the Carpe Diem poem written in 23 BC by the Roman poet Horace, which I want to share with you.

“It is vain to inquire into the future – Let us enjoy the present, for this is all we can command.

carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero

Seize the day, trusting tomorrow as little as possible.”

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Odes I, 11: Carpe Diem 

Ask not—we cannot know—what end the gods have set for you, for me; nor attempt the Babylonian reckonings Leuconoë.

How much better to endure whatever comes, whether Jupiter grants us additional winters or whether this is our last, which now wears out the Tuscan Sea upon the barrier of the cliffs!

Be wise, strain the wine; and since life is brief, prune back far-reaching hopes!

Even while we speak, envious time has passed: pluck the day, putting as little trust as possible in tomorrow!

This post – and the photos of the solidarity demonstration in Amsterdam – is an answer to the Weekly Photo Challenge: Shadowed

Posted by

Sharing sights & insights captured with diverse angles. Ex-corporate, now my own boss. Cycling, hiking, cooking, reading, yoga, writing and photography, are no longer only hobbies listed on my resume. It's what I do when I want.

50 thoughts on “Carpe Diem”

    2. Your photography is so moving I felt like I was there while viewing your pictures. As a Canadian to read and hear of these atrocities has left me feeling shocked and vulnerable. Thank you for writing this and sharing the view of it from yours and your country’s prospective. No matter who we are, or where we reside we all are je suis Charlie in our hearts. ❤️

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        1. Yes the tragedy in my nations capital rocked me to my emotional core! My prayers, healing vibrations, and love are sent to all that are left behind to mourn in the after math of this senseless tragedy. ❤️

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            1. Yes very shocking for my peaceful polite country. I believe the whole nation was grieving for Corporal Caprillo. Yes love and prayer is what we need to abolish these senseless acts of terrorism. ❤️

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  5. I had no idea about the latest incident, I am just heartbroken at these events. I’m glad you were able to attend the demonstration, it allows you to participate in some way. Your photos are extraordinary and powerful.
    X *tears in my eyes*

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    1. It happened so fast while you were sleeping. I couldn’t take my eyes from the screen, following the manhunt. I have many friends in Paris as I worked 9 years for a Dutch-French IT company and some are Jewish. It was nerve wrecking for them and still is as the threat is not over.
      The European intelligence services are warning of possible attacks in European capitals. Our president has spoken today with great concern, as we have been a target as well, as we have a crazy anti Muslim politician who keeps saying horrible things about them.
      We are not afraid but careful.
      I’m sorry if I made you cry. I prefer to make you laugh my dearest friend.
      Giant hug. Xxx

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      1. Please don’t be sorry, I feel for the victims and their families, such a stupid, pointless, selfish series of acts. I fear the world is changing rapidly.
        Giant hug to you too, I hope all of your friends are ok xoxox.

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        1. I can imagine it also brings sad memories from two months ago.
          All good there but they had friends as hostages. Scary. All ok.
          I an afraid this is getting out of hand. These guys are well prepared.
          Let’s be positive and careful.
          Xxxx

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  7. Thank you Lucille. Such great shots. I’ve been watching these horrific events unfold from the other side of the world and trying to make sense of it all. The Carpe Diem poem was a poignant reminder of how fragile our lives are and how we should treasure every moment.

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  10. My heart goes out to France and everyone affected by these hideous acts, I was stunned when I learnt of the second incident barely hours after the first almost like it was planned.
    I feel this week’s photography theme; Shadowed is a silent nod to these tragedies. They might have shadowed the world in fear but our light will shine through.
    Je suis Charlie!

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  11. Very powerful post, very shadowed indeed. I was very saddened to hear about what happened in France, my heart goes out to them. You did a wonderful job of capturing the gathering. The second shot is my favorite, the composition, how the women are in focus, and the lighting. I love that they are all in B&W. Beautiful job!

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    1. Thanks Amanda, I appreciated your comments and visit.
      I was more focused on the speeches. It was very touching.
      I am glad it is over.
      I made few photos though, as though as the big lights were disturbing my shots. The one you like is the only one I liked from all. Thanks.

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  12. Thank you for sharing this post. The pictures and the words. I feel so sorry for those people over there. I hope they won’t let this attack strip them of their freedoms. We have already given away so many of ours here in America because of this kind of thing. I hope there will someday be an end to this kind of thing, where people use violence to get their way. It’s such a waste.

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