there is something going on in the sky like a decomposition, like a corruption of the air, which remains as still as ever

john ford: the long voyage home, 1940(dp: gregg toland)the only spot of light in the ship at night was that of the compass-lamps, lighting up the faces of the succeeding helmsmen; for the rest we were lost in the darkness, i walking the poop and the men lying about the decks. they were all so reduced by sickness that no watches could be kept. those who were able to walk remained all the time on

the sea: void, darkness, mysterious, not a sound

the bay of arcachon and lighthouse on cape ferret, 1871seascape by moonlight, 1873-76 (both images from manet and the sea, by juliet wilson-bareau and david degeneryale university press 2003)after sunset i came out on deck again to meet only a still void. the thin, featureless crust of the coast could not be distinguished. the darkness had risen around the ship like a mysterious emanation from

we live, as we dream - alone...

victor hugo, the vision ship 1864-65(images contributed by gossamer)we penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness. it was very quiet there. at night sometimes the roll of drums behind the curtain of trees would run up the river and remain sustained faintly, as if hovering in the air high over our heads, till the first break of day.the offing was barred by a black bank of clouds,