Spruce Street, Old City
Monday Morning Musings:
“She preferred imaginary heroes to real ones, because when tired of them, the former could be shut up in the tin kitchen till called for, and the latter were less manageable.”
–Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
“i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)”
–e.e.cummings “[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]”
Ancient voices carried on a breeze
float beneath the moon
in leaf-rustle, they speak
in each footfall, they keep time
and secrets
that whirl in dusty motes
gathering in silvery specks,
specters of the past
the echo of their heartbeats
caught in a laugh, a scent, a cry.
***
Harriet was a true hero,
but she was a woman, too,
who loved and laughed and cried
and if the playwright has her move through time
is that so odd
because we still hear her voice,
don’t we?
She walked down this street or that one, perhaps
here the enslaved reached freedom,
here refugees still hide
Second Street, Old City Philadelphia (From the Arden Theater) Merril D. Smith 2020
their hearts full
or broken.
I learn my friend’s heart literally broke
the day before Valentine’s Day–
but it is patched, stents installed
to let his blood flow.
Another friend has an artificial heart,
but like the Tin Man
she doesn’t need a heart
to love or be loved.
I read that the Giant Heart in the Franklin Institute
it now has the soundtrack of a real heart
with beats that echo
through time and space
like Harriet in the play,
like the memory of my grandfather
popping up from the giant heart’s artificial valves
to show me and my little sister
that it was a safe space
a place I carry
a memory of a heart
carried in my heart
his heart and that heart
in my heart, they echo
as do the voices of women
leading “lives of quiet desperation”
that the assistant sees in the movie
and what can she do
till enough people speak and the system changes
as whistles are blown
and heroes speak the truth
even as rich and petty men besmirch them
retaliating with the power of wealth and position–
tin men without the shadow of a heart.
But still,
I bake chocolate hearts
for all the hearts I carry inside
and we celebrate love
and heroes–
because both
transcend time and space.
We saw My General Tubman, a new play by Lorene Cary at the Arden Theatre.
We went to the Wine and Chocolate event at William Heritage Winery.
Merril’s Movie Club: we saw The Assistant, a bleak but excellent movie with an outstanding performance by Julia Garner.
We also finished Counterpart. We really enjoyed the two seasons. It’s on Prime, and apparently Starz cancelled it because they didn’t feel it appealed to female viewers (!). You know how women don’t enjoy well-developed plots and complex storylines (rolling eyes).
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
“tin men without the shadow of a heart.” — an apt description for a plethora of you-know-who’s ;0) But love threads through your poem and I’m left feeling warm and fuzzy in a bounty of hearts.
Somehow that just slipped in when I started thinking about the movie. The assistant’s boss is definitely supposed to make us think of Harvey Weinstein–and then that made me think of all the others. But I’m glad that overall this made you feel warm and fuzzy. 🙂
Your hearts seem so much more solid and beating than the pink glittery ones that Valentine’s Day seems to encourage.
Thank you. Even my chocolate ones were solid. 😉
That’s often a good thing 🙂
Yes! 🙂
I love your musing on hearts. Really made me think, plus it’s been a topic I’ve been lingering and loitering around in some writing. You always bring me back to food and the comforts of home. You must have some of your planetary configurations in the House of Cancer.
Thank you, Luanne. That’s a lovely comment, and I’m pleased I hit on a topic you’ve been thinking about.
I’m not up on astrology, so I have no idea. I know I’m nothing like what a Sagittarius is supposed to be like. 🙂
You are so not Sagittarius. You must have Cancer somewhere. Maybe your Moon? A moon sign as your moon sign would really be something. My mom is more of a true Sagittarius. NOT like you.
I have no idea, Luanne. 🙂 But yes, I laugh every time I read things about Sagittarius people, so NOT me, as you say.
Yup :/.
Lovely Valentine’s musings, Merril. I hope your friend is okay. I’m curious as to what caused your husband’s reaction…too funny!
Thank you very much, Jill. Our friend seems to be doing OK. He’s home now.
My husband was just acting goofy for the camera. 🙂
I’m positive the play was excellent. As were, I’m sure, you’re baking. (Not to mention your writing.) 🙂
Thank you, Rachel! 🙂
May all hearts bear their joys and sadnesses with grace and humour. So many threads so many acknowledgements woven so deftly and such a pleasure to read, thank you Merril. I hope your friends are doing well ..
Thank you very much, Susan. I appreciate your lovely comment and kind thoughts!
I enjoyed Harriet, the movie, and Little Women too. Because we have Prime video, we’ll check out Counterpart.
You and Doug have perfected facial expressions, including eye rolls and gasps – ha!
Thank you, Marian.
This play was very different from the Harriet movie, but we enjoyed it.
I don’t know if Counterpart is the type of thing you like, but J.K. Simmons and the rest of the cast are so good, and the idea is really interesting.
Yes, we’re a strange pair. 😉
Oh, you and your husband’s fun facial expressions in these photos are fantastic! I also enjoyed your heartfelt thoughts. 🌷
Thank you very much, Rose. We’re strange, and we’ve been together a long time. 😉
Together in strangeness is a good thing! 🤡👾
🙂
So much heartfelt thought goes into your reflections on your weekends. This is no exception. But you haven’t explained your joint expressions of horror. Was it the food? 🙂
Thank you, Derrick.
We’re both goofy. 🙂 I was actually in bliss over my red wine and chocolate macaron.
🙂
What a beautiful post (sorry I’m late!) Perfect for Valentine’s Day weekend. Love the goofy faces! You two are like two peas in a pod…
And since I’m late, happy birthday to Douglas!
Thank you very much, Dale. No need to apologize, I know you’re busy.
I will tell him. 🙂
🙂
Lovely Valentines Day-themed post. “The Assistant” looks really good. Thanks for calling my attention to it.
Thank you very much, and you’re welcome.