Monday Morning Musings
“We spend our lives trying to discern where we end and the rest of the world begins. “
–Maria Popova, Figuring
Ask–
as through the mist
a figure appears.
Examine–
real or specter,
as the sun shines
through the fog
What do you see?
***
I ask
what do you remember
of what, when, and who,
the memories accrued
over time, false with true
to mix with dreams, old and new.
I reflect
on reflections, in the glass
I see time pass
(Remember her laugh.)
I watch
the clouds, stormy river view
to dazzling blue
View of Delaware River from Patco Train
I listen
for the secrets of trees and birds
and all the words
Aerial show at Hawk Haven, Cape May
that never convey
truth, but hint—in some way
that trip in rhythm, dance, sway
delight—
in family and friends
as time twists and bends
We celebrate
watch comedians on the stage
turn the page
on a new chapter
gather after. . .
and after–
who knows?
(Remember this
and that–
remember to laugh.)
The woman says,
“You look just like your mother,”
and you wonder—
then another woman says,
“Your daughter looks just like you,”
and you wonder if it’s true,
or if it’s as when he says blue,
but you see green,
truth not always what it seems–
but you laugh
and smile, and drink more wine–
the day is fine
though you ponder, wonder
what is in our minds,
it takes all kinds,
doesn’t it?
The killers and mad men
who change history, again and again—
But there is love, too,
and cats, and smiles
that travel across the miles
You think,
I have few regrets—
as the moon rises and sets
and the clouds sail away,
fears kept at bay,
love, please stay
to rise with the sun—
dawn break, the day begun.
We finished Season 2 of Mindhunters on Netflix, which got me thinking about minds. (Anyone else imagining Agent Ford singing “you’ll be back?”) Our son-in-law graduated from nursing school, and our daughter threw him a surprise party at Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia. Daughter and I went on a bus tour of three wineries in Cape May, NJ: Natali Vineyards, Willow Creek, and Hawk Haven. I heard Mari Popova read on “Live from Here with Chris Thile.”
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
This was really beautiful, Merril. I loved the photos of you with your mother and daughter. Have a good week.
Thank you very much, Jill. I hope you have a good week, too!
It’s worth the effort to give Mama an outing; you’ll never regret the effort. Bless you!
Thank you, Marian. The only outings my mom is getting now is wheeling her to nearby gardens. But it was nice that my daughter invited me to go with her on the wine tour. 🙂
Trying to catch up with reading after the weekend, Merril. I see the likeness between you and your daughter
Thank you, Derrick.
Your daughter is definitely yours! And this was lovely through and through.
Thank you very much, Dale!
It’s funny, I don’t think my daughters actually look alike, though some people have asked them over the years if they’re twins. But when they’re together, you can definitely tell they’re sisters–and you can definitely tell I’m their mother. 🙂
I believe it. My sisters and I have changed over the years, who we resemble changes, too. For years I was my mother’s daughter and then, a few years before my father died, I became my father’s daughter. Go figure.
I guess our features do change a bit as we get older.
Your life is full in the best possible way. You know how to appreciate so much that other people wouldn’t even notice.
That is a lovely comment. Thank you!
🙂
🙂
I must second Jane’s comment. That’s why so many of us are drawn to your poetry and your Monday Morning Musings (even if some of us don’t always read them on Mondays or in the mornings ;)). “as time twists and bends” … doesn’t it, though. We’ve been watching the original Star Trek, alternating with Dark, and the issues around time, free will are so compelling. The sense of time truly twisting and bending, turning it on itself. Sometimes (well, always) I feel we’re in a strange twist of time. Just hoping it will straighten out. Hoping for free will 😉
Thank you very much, Marie.
Well, you know I’m obsessed with time and shows, books, movies, about it. I didn’t realize that “Dark” would be about it so much. And perhaps my favorite original Star Trek episode is “City on the Edge of Forever,” where Kirk and Spock go back in time.
We definitely live in interesting times. . .
Resemblances are chameleon-like I think. I look in the mirror and see my mother sometimes, and others it’s my father. No one ever says my younger daughter looks like me (they always say the older one does) and yet she resembles my mother’s sister who looked very much like my mother who I look a lot like. It’s a mystery.
But what’s not a mystery is they way you notice the importances of living…and live them. Jane is right. (K)
Thank you so much, Kerfe.
Congratulations to your son-in-law.
That opening quote is impressive, when you think that, all along – even once we’re gone – our lives are a part of that whole world.
Thank you, Ken. It was a struggle for my son-in-law–and he only found out the night before the surprise party that he passed, so my daughter was going crazy. 🙂 The quote comes from the preface of Popova’s (of Brainpickings fame) book.