Mountains
Foto: Marko Petrič.
There is no absolutely safe way across.
(Andrej Štremfelj, Objem na vrhu sveta / Embrace on the top of the world)
I am originally from the hilly Dolenjska region, but in the last ten years I have been captivated by the higher world, the one where forests are replaced by ibex, grass, sand and rocks. Living in the valley lulls me to sleep. I need physical strain, walking uphill, climbing over rocks and a little danger to realise the limits of what is possible and beautiful. Life below is all too often too safe, and these days we are particularly prone to this mentality of the supremacy of safety. I am driven to the mountains by the desire to exercise, to relax my mind, to experience the beautiful, to learn about culture and to record all that is beautiful through the medium of photography. The gallery contains photographs of mountains, below the gallery are a few panoramic photographs, but first I would like you to read a poem by Milan Jesih, which is very dear to me in this context.
*More photos and stories from mountains
A stone is glowing in the low soft light
A stone is glowing in the low soft light,
no silver piece, and slowly peters out;
the first of village windows flash to life;
the sun sinks down between two teat-like mounts;
in woods, the broadbacked wind has had its rest
and hit the road again; the quiet song
of girls, unhurried, folds into itself
and ceases but still faintly lingers on,
and all is as it’s ever been—I’d shout
the unknown name of an unknown sweetheart
to shake the staircase, ancient and worn out,
which leads into the cold and purple skies,
but I’ve a mask I will not stir without,
and I’ll not bare my heart at any price;
my gaze bent far beyond, I will exult
as I burn time and watch it turn to dust.
Milan Jesih
Autumn morning on Mt. Mangart.
