August 12, 2007

Stairway to Heaven




From a trip a few days ago to Thouars - a local church offers space for modern art. This spiral staircase is a free-standing sculpture, inviting one individual at a time up approximately 40 - 50 feet in the air. After climbing the first 10 steps, the sculpture moves and sways; gently at first, then with moderate intensity once you reach the peak. The docent was kind enough to comment in English, "It is free, and you are welcome to climb - you do not have vertigo - yes?" Happy to confirm, (at the top) - no, I do not have vertigo. Artist: Vincent Lamouroux, Title of work: "La Perspective Incline'e (Helioscope)".






There's a lady who's sure
All that glitters is gold
And she's buying a stairway to heaven.
When she gets there she knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for.
Ooh, ooh, and she's buying a stairway to heaven.


There's a sign on the wall
But she wants to be sure
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings.
In a tree by the brook
There's a songbird who sings,
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,

Ooh, it makes me wonder.

There's a feeling I get
When I look to the west,
And my spirit is crying for leaving.
In my thoughts I have seen
Rings of smoke through the trees,
And the voices of those who stand looking.

Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it really makes me wonder.



And it's whispered that soon
If we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason.
And a new day will dawn
For those who stand long

And the forests will echo with laughter.

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow

Don't be alarmed now,
It's just a spring clean for the May queen.
Yes, there are two paths you can go by
But in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on.

And it makes me wonder.

Your head is humming and it won't go
In case you don't know,
The piper's calling you to join him,

Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow,
And did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind.


And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul.
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How ev'rything still turns to gold.
And if you listen very hard

The tune will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll.

And she's buying a stairway to heaven.
-Led Zeppelin



Fieldtrip with John's class today to Paris, we will talk again soon. M