The Upside-Down World: An overflow drainage pond is beautiful reflected. Merril D. Smith, March 2020
Monday Morning Musings:
“I borrowed his brightness and used it to see my way, and then gradually, from the habit of looking at the world as he illuminated it, the light in my own mind rekindled.”
–Geraldine Brooks, Year of Wonders
I walk, alone
no human voices, only birdsong.
Vultures soar above me,
social, silent creatures
gracefully catching the currents
sniffing the air
for death on the ground,
unnoticed by us–
like those who scavenge and clean
under-appreciated, like those who serve.
Life blooms all around me
yellow, pink, white
petals bright against the sky
where a mockingbird perches
to sing for hours in looping trills
a song of love, longing, and hope
of attracting his mate,
or fending off others.
Whatever the intent,
his message makes me smile.
We celebrate Shabbat,
a virtual dinner with our daughters.
We light the candles, sip our wine,
cut the challah
share our lives and love through a screen,
Virtual Shabbat Dinner
agreeing that we should do this again
agreeing that we are all connecting
in new ways—
I tell them I called a friend,
I remind myself to call others.
The sun shines
through the raindrops
a brief reminder
it is there, like a memory
it is always there
in a puddle
reflected
or in the sky
hidden by clouds
or by a turn of the axis–
Sun shower–Upside-down World in a puddle Merril D. Smith, March 2020
even in the upside-down world
light is a constant,
if unseen
like light within a black hole
trapped
like a thought in a confused mind–
my mom says she’s honeymooning
with my dead father,
remembering not the anger, but love rekindled—
a bit of light in the darkness.
The week began with sunshine
ends with clouds and rain–
spring is a tease of
warm days and cool breeze,
but the light lingers longer
even while the shadows play.
No movies this week, but we finished Season 3 of Babylon Berlin. It’s so good. Now we have to wait for Season 4. I’m seeing new things in my neighborhood as I walk through it.
And we celebrated #openlocalwine night on Saturday. Doing our small part. 😀
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Your Mom is in a sensible place, it seems; and you have found beauty with both pen and camera. I sorry the dinner had to be virtual
Thank you very much, Derrick.
One daughter lives in Massachusetts, so it’s kind of funny that we never thought to do this before.
🙂
Merril, your words are so beautifully poignant as always. This is especially moving and lovely beyond my words.
Thank you so much, Rene. I truly appreciate your very kind words.
Oh, it’s so true Merril. You are so gifted with expressing life and we are so fortunate for it.
Aww–😘
😘
“my mom says she’s honeymooning
with my dead father,
remembering not the anger, but love rekindled—
a bit of light in the darkness.”
This really resonated with me, Merril. Beautiful Monday musings and photos. Thanks for sharing. Of course my mouth is watering for that pizza! Wishing you a happy and safe week ahead.
Thank you so much, Jill.
My parents were married and divorced from each other twice, so I’m glad my mom isn’t remembering that part right now. The pizza was very good, I must say. 😀
I’m happy about that too, Merril. Derek made homemade french bread pizza over the weekend. It was pretty yummy, too! 🙂
Yum!
We are all seeing new things I think. My daughters and I have a group phone call every night. I am communicating much more with friends and family. We could get used to it.
Your mother seems to have found a safe space.
I love the reflections and the shadow cat. (K)
Thank you, Kerfe. I’m not sure why we never did this before with daughters. As you say–new ways of seeing things.
We’re both drawn to reflections and shadows. 😀
Thanks. Packed with interest.
Regards Thom
Thank you, Thom.
Beautiful reflections (images and words!) leave me smiling. We might all put our idle time to good use following your mother’s example … letting ourselves relive precious moments, strengthening memories and bonds.
Thank you so much! I’m pleased I left you with a smile.
I agree with Rene! Your fabulous words to go with your beautiful images. We have to look at this time as a renewal of sorts, a chance to look at things with different eyes, to open ourselves to new experiences (like group chats!)
Wondeful, as always, Merril.
Thank you very much, Dale! 😘
This is a beautiful post, I loved the images, the words on the pavement and the beautiful trees but that first image caught me in a special way
Thank you very much, Jude.
I’m a bit obsessed with reflections, and I take lots of “reflection photos.” 😀.
This: “like light within a black hole / trapped”
It seems that’s what we are.
Thank you, Ken. Yes, it does.
What do I compliment first? The beautiful words? The amazing photos? The delicious-looking food? ALL of it!
Aww–thank you very much, Rachel!
Beautiful, Merril, in words and images. I really love your puddle reflections. You capture such beauty in those upside down worlds.
Thank you so much, Robin. That is high praise indeed! I don’t know why I’m so fascinated by them.