"This is the Forest Primeval"...Longfellow Reimagined in My Collage for LMAC #176

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This collage represents my response to the template photo in Round #176 of LMAC's Collage Contest.

As I worked with the template, a dramatic photo by @shaka, I thought of Longfellow's (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) epic poem, Evangeline: A Tale of Acadia.

Template by @shaka
JHGBLFd - Imgur.jpg

The first lines of that poem stayed with me when I first read them. Excerpts here are taken from Poets.org, where the poem may be read in its entirety.

This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,
Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight

I had the poem in mind as I designed my collage. The poem tells of two lovers who lived in Acadia. The governor of the province (which is in Nova Scotia) demanded that the Acadians swear allegiance to the British Crown and forsake their Catholic faith. Because many of them refused to do this, they were shipped off, from Canada to the Gulf Coast of the U.S. There, in the swamps and forests of Louisiana, the Acadians were forced to find their way.

Far asunder, on separate coasts, the Acadians landed;
Scattered were they, like flakes of snow, when the wind from the northeast
Strikes aslant through the fogs that darken the Banks of Newfoundland.
Friendless, homeless, hopeless, they wandered from city to city,

The tragedy of the poem is that, the people were forced to leave everything behind and families were torn asunder. This was true for Evangeline and her lover, Gabriel.

Evangeline wanders the forests and swamps her whole life, as she looks for Gabriel.

Thus did the long sad years glide on, and in seasons and places
Divers and distant far was seen the wandering maiden;

In the end, she finds Gabriel on his deathbed and gets to say her farewell. He also has searched for her his whole life. Evangeline dies soon after.

Still stands the forest primeval; but far away from its shadow,
Side by side, in their nameless graves, the lovers are sleeping.
Under the humble walls of the little Catholic churchyard,
In the heart of the city, they lie, unknown and unnoticed.

Is the story of Evangeline true? It is certainly a legend that has been handed down through the generations. It represents the suffering of the Acadians as they are exiled from their home and in many cases, their families.

If you'd like to read more about the legend, here is a link:
https://www.lafayettetravel.com/explore/legend-of-evangeline/

Elements Used in the Collage
I thank each contributor for helping me to 'say' what I wanted in my collage.

From Pixabay
CreationEffects

tama66

From Unsplash
Georg Eierman

From the LMAC Image Gallery, LIL

@muelli

@seckorama

@rappler

@yaziris

@redheadpei

@victor8

@borjan

@eimy7

And three elements were contributed by me, to LIL
@agmoore

Each LIL contributor will receive 2% from my post, as a token of gratitude. I had too many beneficiaries, so I will send @rappler his token when the post pays out.

LMAC and LIL

Every week is an adventure. This week I was prompted to look back at a poem I fell in love with as a high school student. It's a wonderful experience when two art forms--poetry and collage--come together. I hope my readers enjoy the story of Evangeline and perhaps will check out this very long, but memorable poem.

Please check out the LMAC curation feed to see the amazing works or art that the community artists have created.

Everyone who competes is a winner (I don't compete), but the Hive community selects the official winners. This week's roster of winners may be viewed here. All of Hive can vote in the contest.

Tomorrow a new template will be published. Make a collage and join in the fun.

You can see that LIL, the LMAC Image Library, was an essential part of my collage creating process this week. Everyone on Hive can contribute to the library and everyone can borrow from the library. Learn about the procedure here.

I wish all my readers peace and health.

Thank you for reading my blog

Hive on

letsmakeacollage art poetry literature longfellow acadia history proofofbrain creativecoin hive
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21 comments
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I love your collage! The poem Evangeline is a beautiful and tragic story, and I can see how it inspired your work. The story of the Acadians is a reminder of the suffering that can be caused by war and displacement. It's also a story of hope, as Evangeline and Gabriel are finally reunited in death.

I'm not sure if the story of Evangeline is true, but it's certainly a legend that has been handed down through the generations. It's a story that resonates with people all over the world, and it's a reminder of the importance of family and love

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I love your collage!

Thank you! I took my time and kept adding stuff and taking stuff away. I was striving for a particular look. I'm glad you found it pleasing.

Yes, Evangeline has served as an inspiration for years, and Longfellow's poem has been read and enjoyed by millions.

I appreciate the comment.

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Such a beautiful image and an impressive story of two lovers. Your art work on the picture is also amazing.

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Thank you very much, @itwithsm!. I love the poem and welcomed the opportunity to read it again.

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I haven't heard of nor read the poem "The forest Primeval."
I guess this is due to the fact that I don't read poems that often😂..

As always your collage is awesome Sensei 🥺
Can I take the bear to be a figure of Evangeline?

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Hello my young friend, @seki1

an I take the bear to be a figure of Evangeline

😆 No. She is one of the shadowy figures, lost in the haze (and time). 😇

Thanks so much for your kind words about my collage. I really appreciate your visit. Take care and don't work too hard🌼

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Thanks🥺
Exams drawing near so might take a break from posting...
Then be back in the hols with full force 🤭

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It's so nice to read such love stories and the way we see you've captured the picture so well. Its looks impressive. Thanks for sharing.

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Thanks so much for that positive feedback. I really enjoyed making this and I'm glad you think my effort worked out well.

Hope you have a great evening, @djbravo

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Most welcome dear. Have a nice day.

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As always your story and art are wonderful. You made the forest come alive and the bear adds a nice touch.

PEI has Acadian communities and one is called Evangeline.

Thanks for including my lil image of the sunflower. 😊

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I thought of you when I wrote this, because I know PEI is so close to Nova Scotia. I was wondering how the legend of Evangeline is remembered today.

Thank you for the wonderful comment about my blog. The bear is for danger😀

I love your sunflower. I think it makes the pictures.

Take care and enjoy summer my friend @redheadpei

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Nice touch, the two shadowy lovers 'alone and palely loitering'.

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Thanks for noticing my shadowy figures 🌼 (and understanding what they represent). That poem is new to me, but how perfectly you capture the sense of my shadows, and my collage.

Very clever, as always.

Thanks for visiting and commenting @deirdyweirdy

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I really like your collage @agmoore, it's noticeable that you gave more life and color to that landscape, a good sample of your creativity. Also, it's very well accompanied by a story, it's the first time I hear or read something about this legend of Evangeline and her lover. It is always a pleasure to read you, although I had some time without commenting. I hope you are well, greetings.

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Thank you very much for those kind words. It's hard to stay up to date and read all the posts we support. I understand.

Longfellow was one of the most popular (still is) American poets. His poetry reflected the personality (the way it saw itself, anyway) of a young nation. Critics were less kind to him than readers, but I love his stuff.

Thanks again for reading. All is well here and I hope the same is true for you.

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(Edited)

You’ve brought the image to life with your collage. The colourful flora adds fabulous drama, and the shadowy lovers add depth and dimension. Very effective interpretation of the poem.
You “feel” so very much. Your sensitivity and insight are sorely missed in TIW. When will you be back?

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Hello friend, @itsostylish.

You are right--I do feel too much. It is difficult sometimes to be that sensitive, not just to literature and art but to life.

I love that poem. Critics are hard on Longfellow, but who cares about critics? Not me. He had (and still has) great popularity. He speaks to people.

Thanks so much for visiting. Time seems to run out on me these days. I try to visit all the people on Hive I care about but never reach that goal.

Take care of yourself. I hope your mother is well.🌺

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We want YOU back. Please come back, we need you. The authors need you. We miss you

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