Monday Morning Musings:
“Time past and time future
What might have been and what has been
Point to one end, which is always present.”–T.S. Eliot, “Burnt Norton,”
You can hear him read the poem here.
“Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government.”
–Justice Hugo Black, New York Times Company v. United States (1971)
“Wouldn’t it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true and we could live in them?”
–Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
The present passes, becomes the past
the future now, and now is then.
We ask how did this happen and when?
Too fast for us to learn,
to slow for us to train
the grasping hands
the lizard brains?
In May 1933, they burned the books–
but that was there and then
now here, and again,
a leader tried to censor the news
suppress the press
(What are the choices? Choose.)
“I am not a crook,” he said
before he fled
his seat of power
(looking ever more dour)
But that was then
and it is now,
though there are echoes of before
(his followers ignore)
hate and fear
always in the air
like war’s harsh glare—
sow discord, let others bleed,
while those in the lead, feed their greed.
Bright days turn to stormy nights
we gather inside
and hold our fears at bay
waiting for a stay
from thunder and lightning flashes–
the zigs and zags across the sky–
but in the morning,
the birds still sing and fly
this is the present,
the past, the future whys
converge,
the past, present, future merge
as it’s beginning to do within my mother’s head
confusing the threads of history and time
sometimes—no reason, no rhyme—
but just the way it is
a bridge to what is, or could be
if only we can see—
somehow—
We celebrate Mother’s Day
a made-up holiday
from what was a protest against war
to one of flowers and treats—
for some, for us, it can also be sweet—
Flourless Chocolate Cake and Cannoli Dip
and we’ve done all this before,
but still—
my mother has a great laugh—
and it would not be so bad
if that became her epitaph–
gathering with love around a table
as long as we are able
is wonderful and something we need.
No, that is not greed
to desire love and peace.
Perhaps I sometimes long for castles in the air
wish that was here or something there,
want the best for my own little women
as my mother wished for hers
and her mother for her children
in the past, which is now, which was then—
I wonder when?
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
There are two kinds of time, I think. There’s the time like a gallery of static images of past present and future, and the time that is personal, that we live in, the time that flows and all we can do is flow with it.
Yes, you know I’m a bit obsessed with time, though it makes my head ache to really think about it. All we can do is flow with it.
Like time being a dimension that didn’t exist before the big bang. Hm. I can’t get my head around that.
No, I can’t either. That our universe didn’t exist, but then did, is mind-bending.
That nothing existed, not even time, then poof! Yep, mind-boggling.
🙂
beautiful photos and words Merril thank you – ah time – each unit blending into the next from the past to who knows where ..
Thank you, Susan. Yes, it all flows and blends.
“when” is now. Just look at that last photo—all the love and peace you need in the present moment.
Awww–thank you!
The construct sure is convenient, but then and now become the same as it fades in our minds. Sooner for some than for others. Either way, from the photos it’s clear that your mother enjoys these times together.
Thanks, Ken. My mom is still mostly “with it,” but she’s becoming more forgetful and gets confused.
You unquestionably had a great Mothers Day weekend … the mother with her mother and a daughter. Excellent. … and I enjoyed your opening look at past, present, and future.
My daughters weren’t there, but it was good to get together with my mom and sisters. Thank you, Frank.
I’m busy playing catch up but my week is complete now after this journey through time, here and off in the past, still remembered.
Aww–thanks so much, Damien!
I am so enthralled with how much this is a warm, loving tribute to your family: mother, sisters and your own daughters. It embodies the meaning (in my mind) of Mother’s Day.
My Mom has wry wit but she and I rarely laugh out loud! I wish we did. . . It was so much fun how you shared about getting your mother ready. I love the thought of you all giggling until tears coming.
Thank you for all of this and it was extra special, Merril. Happy to know you had such a lovely celebration! 💐
Thank you very much, Robin. I’m glad this moved you!
I missed not seeing my daughters that day–older daughter lives in Boston, and younger daughter was sick–but it was still a fun day. For the last few years, we’ve taken my mom clothes shopping on Mother’s Day, but none of us was up to it, so we bought her some clothes to try on at my sister’s house, where we were celebrating.
I have been doing a similar thing in choosing clothes and bringing them to my Mom. She gets thrilled and doesn’t mind missing the shopping part. I’m sorry about one being sick and the other, I’m sure you have chances to see despite her being in Boston. Celebrating in different ways, at various times works in my life! 💐 🌞
Yes, I said to both, I’m their mother every day. 🙂
These are some wonderful quotes! I really love the one by Louisa May Alcott, as she’s one of my favorite writers.
Would you be interested in joining my L. M. Alcott reading challenge this June? (+ there’s a giveaway!) Details are on my blog…
Tarissa
http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com
Hi Tarissa–thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I’m really a bit overwhelmed right now, so I don’t know about the challenge, but I will certainly keep it in mind.
Have you been to her house in Concord, MA? We were there many years ago.
I have never visited Orchard House (yet…) but it’s certainly on my bookish bucket list to visit there one day! 🙂