Sun above and below, reflections and shadows on the Delaware River
Monday Morning Musings:
“For nothing is fixed, forever and forever and forever, it is not fixed; the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, the sea does not cease to grind down rock. Generations do not cease to be born, and we are responsible to them because we are the only witnesses they have.
The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.”
–James Baldwin, “Nothing is Fixed,” quoted on Brainpickings, where you can also listen to his words set to music.
A constant, the sun rises and sets
to the left of my window in summer, to the right in winter
ever shifting, as we rotate and spin, never fixed
the light changes, shining through clouds and trees
reflected on rivers and sea
and prismed in a sprinkler’s passage, never fixed
Sprinkler rainbow and puddle reflection
the birds fly, the flowers bloom, fall, drop their sees, and grow again
the snapping turtle’s slow crawl, the gracile deer’s leap into the shadows
they pause, then move, live, then die, never fixed
Maybe a snapping turtle? I saw him on the side of the road by the river during a morning walk.
as the moon moves through her phases,
do you hear her fiercely humming?
Reminding us in silvered streams, never fixed,
our stories. We choose to sit or fight
against the dying of the light
to witness gleaming through the cracks, never fixed,
forever light comes from stars extinguished
we see it, or we don’t.
My shadow reflecting–light and shadows
This has been a difficult week for the world, though it is also been inspiring in some ways.
A grown daughter’s childhood companion.
In whatever way you can, speak out, donate, and help others. Here is a short list of things to read, support, and follow
Merril’s Movie Club: We watched Just Mercy, which is streaming free (in the U.S) during the month of June. I was afraid it would be a sort of feel good Hollywood movie, but both my husband and I thought it was a good movie with excellent acting. There are additional facts and statistics at the end. We also watched Uncut Gems, which was good in a different way. It’s available on Netflix now.
I’ve written about the musical Ragtime before. It’s one of my favorite musicals, and it seems particularly relevant during this presidency, and right now, the song, “Make Them Hear You” resonates. Here is Ricky the Cat listening to it. (And yes, I may have made him a little bed by my computer.)
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Watch out! Your photos are beginning to rival your poetry. 🙂
Thanks too for the movie suggestions.
It’s amazing what you can do with an iPhone. 😏 Thank you, Marian.
Two kind of mainstream movies in English this week. Haha.
I totally agree with Marian. Your words are beautiful as ever, but those photos are terrific, Merril. I’ve enjoyed the little sneak preview on Instagram. 🙂
Thank you very much, Jill.
Sometimes the photos appear on various or multiple platforms, but not all of them. 😀
Your repetition of “never fixed” works extremely well to portray the transience we experience, even as we think of ourselves as fixed.
Thank you very much, Ken. I’m glad that came through.
Beautiful 💗
Thank you so much, Katy!
I agree with you about this being a difficult week. It’s also inspiring, as you say, because things are happening that could never have happened before BUT it breaks my heart that the changes had to happen by putting people at risk for Covid-19.
I agree, Luanne. And I saw something about how dt will now probably blame rises in the number of cases on BLM protests instead of his policies.
Very convenient.
😢
This was so good, Merril. Were you inspired by James Baldwin or did you find the quote after you wrote?
I enjoyed Uncut Gems (It’s been available in Canada for months… was FINALLY able to watch it on date night 😉 )
No comment on Just Mercy 😑
Thank you so much, Dale. I was inspired by James Baldwin, then I went for a walk, then I puttered about, and then I wrote. 😏
Uncut Gems has been available to stream here, but not on Netflix until fairly recently.
I love it. Wonderful how the creative process works.
I know (re Uncut Gems)… How backwards that we had it in Canada for a good two months before you did. Such a stupid system
I think it’s all the contracts with different companies in different countries, not the streaming services themselves–unless of course, they’ve produced the movie or show. It happens with theater distribution, too, but we’re not as aware of it because we just go see whatever’s playing (when we did that, sniff.)
Yes, I know. Still burns my butt. You would think a Netflix Original would be available on… NETFLIX everywhere… Silly me.
Those days will return.
Eventually.
That is weird that a Netflix original wouldn’t be available everywhere. I guess there may be some in other countries though that we’re not aware of.
Makes me nuts. Of course, if I had a special someone in Canada, it would not be an issue, would it?
Ahh–well, yes, I guess it is more of an issue for you. 😏
Right 😉
😏
Your photos are spectacular! The light finds you.
The world is so unsettled, but yes, also hopeful. Our mayor announced today he was taking money from the police department to give to neighborhood organizations. We did an email campaign last week to our city council members, led by Kara Walker, asking for a reapportionment of funds–it’s a start, he has been fiercely opposed to cutting the police budget to give money where it is more needed, to positive things.
And I thought you would enjoy this clip about Brian Stokes Mitchell. That’s the neighborhood where I lived 3 residences ago. A friend sent it to me.
Thank you so much, Kerfe! I love that you say the light finds me. How kind.
I think a lot of cities will be at least exploring how they can change, and that’s a good thing. Thank you for sharing the clip. I had seen something awhile back about him singing from his window, but I hadn’t seen this news clip. It certainly sounds like he got his voice back after his illness!
It does indeed.
I believe it was a snapping turtle you pictured. It’s commuting see them around this time of year. But I always think of the ones I see as “she”. Always! I think a snapping turtle is a lucky sight. The are powerful.
Thank you. I thought this time of year, they may be laying eggs ( a friend said her husband took photos of one laying eggs in their yard). I hope she got where she wanted to go. I hope it is a lucky sign seeing her! 😀
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Excellent poetry and photography. Gracile is a good word, and “prismed in a sprinkler’s passage” a wonderful phrase to accompany the picture.
Thank you very much for your close reading, Derrick.
It is my pleasure
You always find the stars and the humming moon 🙂 Did you notice that the photo of shadows and reflections is in fact two centaurs?
Thank you very much. I had to go back and look. One centaur definitely, perhaps two. 😏 Early Sunday morning morning walk, who knows what you’ll see?
Isn’t that your sign though? It’s mine, so…
Oh, I guess it is. I’m so not anything like it. 😀
Me neither. I mean, who wants to know she’s exactly the same as one twelfth of the world’s population?
We’re unique–or whatever the word for us is since we’re the same person.
We’re bique?
🤣
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James Baldwins’ words never fail to astonish me. I read all of his books when I was in grad school, but I think it’s time to re-read. Another Country is one of his that I remember being astonished with back then. A good place to start.
May we all never cease to hold onto each other in love, friendship, writerly support, and in so many other ways.
Your photos are gorgeous…love your poetry, and yes, I hear the moon fiercely humming.
Thank you so much, Pam. That’s a lovely comment. I haven’t read too much of his work–I guess it’s time for me to read and re-read, too.
I highly recommend James Baldwin’s novels. What’s amazing (and wonderful for an author) is seeing his work – respected ‘back in his day’ by some – brought “back to life” again during this time of unrest and -again – recognized need for change.
My goodness I believe that is a snapper. I’m barefoot now and seeing that makes me want to put my shoes on..
I didn’t get too close–and I was wearing shoes. 😀
to witness gleaming through the cracks, never fixed,
loved it…..
Thank you very much!