Monday Morning Musings:
“August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.”
―Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath
“Of what is past, or passing, or to come.”
–W.B. Yeats, “Sailing to Byzantium”
A breeze drifts from blushing sky,
Robin sings reveille, a new day wakes
carrying time’s perfume,
a scent of days blended over and over
in a soft voice
the woman asks the day
and wonders where time has gone,
but it is still here—
she gazes through a window,
a young woman looks back
***
In these last days of August
as summer goes a-rambling,
and we go scrambling–
in this odd uneven time
of thunderstorms and brilliant sun
we see summer almost done
when temperatures fall,
as do a few leaves,
but it deceives
we’ll have heat rise again,
even as vultures soar
high above the shore
and insects skitter
and crawl–
but that’s not all
Cicada-eating wasp
Great Horned Caterpillar at Red Bank Battlefield, NJ
we see as we walk
in parks and city streets,
hearing the beats
of different drums
people, creatures, machines strum
and hum, but come
see fountains glittering
with diamond droplets flying
and spirits sighing
as they dance to the sky
where sun-stippled,
and wind-rippled
they form clouds
that cross the far expanse
of blue, and dance
into the night
and daughters come with smiles
across the miles
to visit. We drink wine
on a beautiful day
wishing days like this would stay
and winter never come.
When flowers and bugs will die
and Persephone in darkness sigh
for light and mother-love.
But in the now we celebrate–
never too late, to grab a plate
to dine and drink
to talk
to walk
to give heart-felt wishes
to laughs and kisses
to be happy for all of this
And so,
on her 97th birthday I write:
“On this day,
this is what I wish for you–
the love in memories,
the love in now.”
And for us all
the moon hums a lullaby,
a wish for love and gentle goodbyes.
I went a bit overboard with photos, but my mom turned 97 this weekend. Since a few weeks ago, we thought she wouldn’t reach this event, it was extra-special. Older daughter came from Massachusetts, and we went to a wine festival, then visited her sister at her new part-time job at Blue Cork Winery. Then yesterday was my mom’s party. For once, the weather cooperated, too–what a beautiful weekend!
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Gorgeous post. You put it all togehter, lovely words that flowed so smoothly and great photos. Happy Monday.
Thank you so much!
I’m sending you every best wish I can spare 🙂
Thank you so much, Jane. ❤ 🙂
🙂
You should go overboard, Merril! What a wonderful reason to celebrate even more. Wishing your sweet mother a very happy belated birthday! She looks so happy. I just loved this post! ❤
Thank you so much, Jill!!
Maybe it’s my own revisiting the past recently, but ghosts again came to mind in your words. Looks like good ones, though, here. Happy Birthday to your mom and best wishes to everyone, past, present, and future selves.
Thank you so much, Claudia.
I’ve been visiting and re-visiting the past quite a bit, too, recently. There are many ghosts I’ve been seeing and thinking about it–so we’re on the same wavelength here. Yes, it was a good day, and fortunately my mom was alert and able to enjoy it. I appreciate your comment and good wishes!
I love how you used the Plath quote! Great pix, too. This time of year does not feel quite the same in Arizona as in the east, but the feeling of the time is in my bones from years 0 to 35 when I lived in four seasons. So glad you are able to enjoy time with your mom.
Thank you very much, Luanne. I was happy that we had such beautiful weather this weekend, especially since the weather has been so crazy and changeable. We didn’t think my mom was going to make it to her birthday, so this celebration was extra special.
Isn’t family time wonderful?
Your opening poem is a nice reflection on time seeming to pass unnoticed, while recognizing all that has passed.
Thank you very much, Ken. Yes, it was wonderful to have such a special family time.
It was indeed a beautiful weekend, all the more so for you, I think, because of the time with family. Beautiful images, beautiful words. I especially like your wish for your mother and in particular, this: “the love in now.”
Thank you very much, Robin. It was a special weekend. Older daughter decided at the last minute to come, and she rode back with her sister, who had been visiting her. So we got to see both daughters, as well as my mom, who had a very good day. It was nice of the weather to cooperate.
The smiles say it all (and I’m smiling too) (K)
Thank you, Kerfe! 🙂
Truly a celebratory poem! Happy Belated Birthday to your mom ❤️ By the way, am reading this on my phone so the slideshow (?) didn’t work, I think. Instead, following this line, “wishing days like this would stay,” there’s a long series of photos and then the line “and winter never come.” I thought that was perfect, this long meander through the day you want to stay, capped by the wish that winter would never come. 🙂
Thank you so much, Marie!
I thought of you (or your husband) with the insect photos, but you might not have seen them. Probably too many photos to load on a phone. 🙂 There was a long series of photos and a slideshow after the line you mentioned. In any case, I’m glad you enjoyed the message. 🙂 And thank you for the good wishes!
Oh, yes, I saw the insect photos 🙂 I’ll have to show them to Greg.
🙂
And extra special this post certainly is – vibrant photographs; dynamic rhyming poetry. You have captured the essence of the sense of waiting – for the seasons and the inevitable end to come end to come. From the blazing entrance to the gentle lullaby
Thank you very much, Derrick. High praise indeed. I am honored.
Oh my dearest, ‘a wish for love and gentle goodbyes’ what more can be asked for. Your words and photos are filled with joy of every colour, may your hearts be too for as long as possible xxx
Thank you so much, dear Dami! ❤
This was simply beautiful, Merril. Your photos will be forever cherished. They were so fun to look through! 🤗
So glad everyone was able to celebrate a special, resiliant woman: your mother. ❤️ 🎉 💜
Thank you very much, Robin for your kind words! We didn’t think my mom would make it to her birthday, so we felt very fortunate. She had a good day and seemed to enjoy herself.
I remembered your saying time was possibly limited a couple of weeks ago. I have held your family and specifically your mother in my prayers! I’m so glad you had this special time and even took her outside. She does seem to be truly happy!
Thank you very much, Robin!
Yes, tears here. I feel what you feel. I celebrate what you celebrate, I wish also for the winter to not come, or at least to make it here slower. Winter I mean, of course, literally and figuratively. How great that your mom was able to celebrate her 97th birthday. My mom is not able to understand birthdays now, and was quite scared of the balloons we brought. Such different perspective from her confused mind. But …. I visited her last week and she held my hand. Smiled. Said “I love you.” My heart sings. To our moms and their hearts – may they beat on with their memories.
Thank you for your lovely and heart-filled comment, Pam. We were not sure a few weeks ago if my mom would know her birthday, but she seems to have rallied, at least for now. We’re still dealing with the broken system that affects the healthcare and the elderly, which is a strain. I’m glad your mom is still smiling! ❤
A huge strain added to the sadness. But I keep reminding myself that my mom has had an amazing life, as I believe your mom has also. 💗
That is very true. Thank you, Pam. ❤ Maybe next summer we can meet up in OC.
A+…. def XTRA Special!
Happy Birthday, Merril’s mom!
Thank you very much, Resa!