Monday Morning Musings:
“Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”
–fromMary Oliver “When I Am Among the Trees”
“After the kingfisher’s wing
Has answered light to light, and is silent, the light is still
At the still point of the turning world.”
I walk among the trees
watch the light golden-streaming,
and feel the wind river-breezing
listen to the crows caw and go
then all is still, in the glow,
Delaware River at Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ.–November
though now it’s blanket season
when the wind blows, teasing
the clouds that alternate grey and bright
while I seek some warmth, some light
and find delight in sunrise pink rising high
I look to the sky
the flocking of birds in flight.
We gather with family
hope there’s no drama
[insert comma]
or not too much.
Some come from lunch
to share our dinner
and so, we talk and laugh,
and most definitely eat (repeat)
(not forgetting the sweets)
till it is time for them to go–
and you think you know
how life will be
but suddenly, you see
all the moments—
the traditional breaking of stuffing bread
under Capt. Janeway’s gaze, her cool head
once again guiding her crew
–and for them so much to do–
and you, too, so much done,
all the times before—
and after–the squirrels, the sisters and daughters,
the laughter and traditions, the people come and gone—
babies grown, moving on
we watch a movie of love and longing
of trying to find a better life, men migrating
women left behind, waiting
for escape, for weddings, for revenge—
gritty life and magic realism, avenging
ghosts among us
life not ending, but flowing like the sea—
what happens when we cease to be,
does love carry on through time and space?
Is there a still point, full of grace
and light, golden
like the emblazoned leaves
shining. . .
beauty to remember when it snows
to recall it will return
even as the darkness grows
and the world turns, day to night
and all is still–
but beyond the clouds—
stars and moon still burn bright.
We celebrated Thanksgiving. Some of my sibling saw my mom that day, and we saw her the next day.
Merril’s Movie Club: We watched Atlantics on Netflix. This film from Senegal won the Grand Prix at Cannes. It moves from social realism of life in Dakar—forced marriages, laborers who don’t get paid, migration—to a sort of magic realism based on folk tales. I imagine it was a beautiful movie to see on a large screen.We both liked it very much.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
This was beautiful, Merril. I loved “what happens when we cease to be,
does love carry on through time and space?
Is there a still point, full of grace”
I enjoyed the slide show, too!
Thank you so much, Jill!
“but beyond the clouds—
stars and moon still burn bright.” — this I have to hold on to. Whether we are here or gone, much beauty and much life (however you define it) remains. I love your sunrise. The only thing I like about my commute this time of year is seeing the sun rise as I drive toward the east. If only I were truly a morning person …
Thank you very much, Marie. It’s not fun to have to drive to work in the dark–though I would like it even less driving home in the dark. There’s a phone app my husband and I recently downloaded that shows where stars and planets are even when it’s cloudy or daytime.
Oh, those apps are fun!
They are! 🙂
So beautiful, as always, Merril. I think love does carry on. Perhaps not through time in space, but in the hearts of those we touched who remember when we cease to be.
Thank you, Robin. Yes, I think you’re right.
A feast indeed! And of course family is the main ingredient. The spirits of love are all around us. (K)
Yes, indeed. Thank you, Kerfe.
Always a lovely read, Merril. How lovely to have family gatherings, don’t you think? It is so much more difficult these days.
Thanks for the heads up on the movie!!
Thank you, Dale. Yes, Thanksgiving got very complicated this year, but it all worked out.
You’re welcome about the movie. Let me know if you like it.
I shall be stuck.at home without a car later…I’m thinking that will be a grand time (it’s either that or clean house!)
Let’s see. . .movie or house-cleaning? Hmmm. . . 🙂 Do one bit of cleaning maybe, and then watch the movie.
LOL…. OR…. 😉🤣
Beautiful photos, did you take them yourself? And the poetry is so tranquil. I enjoyed this immensely
Thank you! Yes, iPhone photos. 😉
Hehe, well taken regardless
Thanks Merril, as always I enjoy your poetic way with words and the photos accompanying the meander …
Thank you so much, Susan!
Beautiful poetry. Lots of happy faces (and concentration on splendid food)
Thank you, Derrick. 🙂
Merril, a beautiful and touching ‘song’ to life, love, family … encapsulating lifetimes whilst swinging from the spiritual to the amusing. I’m taken with your post, the lovely photographs and wow, what a special feast for you all!
Thank you also for the Netflix recommendation… I’m always on the look out for something new, a bit different and thought-provoking!
Thank you very much for your lovely comment, Annika!
We tend to watch movies that are not so well-known and a bit unusual. 😉
Words well woven, Merril.
Thank you, Ken.
So much to to work with here as a reader, a rich and nourishing piece both word and visual.
Thank you so much!
So welcome Merril
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LOVED this post. Brilliant warm rich
Thank you so much!