* * * my illustration page * * *

'When I was a boy' Friedrich HolderlinWhen I was a boy a god would often rescue me from the shouting and violence of humans. Then, safe and well, I would play with the meadow flowers, and heaven's breezes would play with me.And as you delight the heart of plants, stretching their tender arms toward you, Father Helios, so you delighted my heart, and I was your beloved, holy Luna, just like Endymion!All you faithful friendly gods! I wish you knew how my soul loved you!Naturally I couldn't call you by name then, nor did you use mine, as humans do, as if they really knew each other.But I was better acquainted with you than I ever was with humans. I knew the stillness of the Aether: I never understood the words of men.The euphony of the rustling meadow was my education; among flowers I learned to love.I grew up in the arms of the gods.