In grad school, I got stuck doing a presentation on Thomas Cole's
"The Voyage of Life."
Its a series of paintings depicting the four stages of life: childhood, youth, manhood, old age.
This week I can really relate to the third in the series shown above - "Manhood" even though I'm a woman.
I've forgotten all the allegories and symbols the paintings are encrusted with, although I could probably still do a good boring ten minutes on each of them.
All that matters really right now is how scary, hopeless and alone adulthood must have seemed to old dead Thomas as the River of Life turns wildeyed and beats the snot out of you.
Good call Tom.
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