Portholes

August 3

I am thankful for portholes. A porthole is usually a round window in a ship or submarine which can be opened but when closed is sealed to the outside. They are generally encased inside a thick metal frame. A porthole has come to mean any kind of round window as seen in cars, armored trucks, airplanes, or spacecraft. Portholes allow light and air to come in. They are a "window to the outside" which can be comforting if you are couped up inside in a small place. Portholes allow us to see our surroundings and breathe the fresh air outside.

This is a porthole type window, without the metal frame, which I found in the lodge at the Cypress Bend Resort near Many, Louisiana. Outside the window is the 18th green of the golf course. Because it was dark inside and very light outside, I superimposed three photos at different exposures and processed them with Photomatix and Photoshop to bring out the inner details without overexposing the outside. Although it is not technically a porthole, it reminds me of one and it allowed me to see the wonderful outside world of the golf course while I was couped up inside.

portholes

give me an ocean to ride upon

give me a ship to carry me home

let me float with the waves

as i upon the seas do roam

give me a soft bunk and pillow

to rest my weary bones upon

give me appetizing food

the entire voyage long

but most of all give me portholes

through which i can clearly gaze

see the magnificent beauty of this earth

and sing to her wondrous praise.

© rt tulley