Monday Morning Musings:
We labor, belabor, debate, defend
fend for ourselves, hope for trends
to alter course, reverse, against the wind
we traverse, carrying the past in heart and mind,
find that light is a constant, but time is not—
still we dine and drink some wine
without the rhythm and beats of city streets
reflections found in river, not in town—
I find beauty all around.
It doesn’t change what is, or what may be—
catastrophe, democracy’s fall, more plagues
all this or other. I read horror tales of ghosts
less scary than most of what is real, or almost–the boasts
of the fascist chiefs, the spreading of so many false beliefs
rumors can be deadly, and I think of the imposter priest
who despite his flaws, gets at the truth, and heals
a village. So many maligned, but is there is goodness in us all?
Perhaps. Though it may be hard to tell. Crimes of passion,
crimes of war, crimes of vengeance—so many more—
the people we neglect, the things we regret.
And yet, the moon shines silver in the night,
the sky is blue, the sun is bright. I walk through shadows,
and into light. Watch as birds take sudden flight—soar, unbound—
beauty all around.
Today is Labor Day here in the U.S. I took a look at my post from last year. So much has changed. This is a bit of a response to that, I suppose. I kept the format of couplets, though not ending rhymes.
Merril’s Movie, TV, and Whatever Club: We saw the Polish movie, Corpus Christi. It was Poland’s entry this past year for the Academy Awards. We had seen previews for it. I’m not sure if it made it to the theater in Philadelphia before they closed or not. In any case, we both thought it was excellent. Almost like old times, we discussed it over wine and dinner—though our discussion was the next day at a local winery.
We watched the French mystery series, Le Chalet with an earworm of a title song—even for those of us who don’t really speak French. It seemed like it was going to be a horror story at the beginning, but it turned out to be similar to an old-fashioned mystery, a Ten Little Indians sort of tale though with two timelines. We both liked it, though it was a bit confusing sorting out the characters for a while. We’re currently watching a Finnish mystery, Deadwind. It’s good, and I think we will become more involved with it as it goes on. There are lots of twists and turns—what seems like a straightforward murder case is not (of course). Both of these are on Netflix.
I just finished reading The Invited by Jennifer McMahon, a ghost story and also a mystery with different timelines and connecting stories. So, you know, a good Merril book. And my favorite podcast Ghost in the Burbs is back. Yay!
Oh, but speaking of favorite podcasts, the delightful Damien Donnelly now has a podcast. So. . . I guess that’s also my favorite (different genres). 😀
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Love the rhythm of this Merril and the musings of daily life interspersed with patches and snatches of beauty. Thanks for Netflix recommendations.
Thank you so much, Susan!
I forgot to say that we saw the movie on Amazon Prime, but it might be available elsewhere. The two shows though were on Netflix.
I love this one! It’s a poem more than snapshots, and the last couplet reminds me so much of the Lady of Shalott! Thanks for reminding me about Damien 🙂
Thank you! This one was totally unplanned, so I’m so pleased you like it. It’s funny, but I was thinking of the Lady of Shalott the other day. I can’t remember why though. Obviously, you knew.
You left the clue in the words 🙂 Strangely enough you’ve just reminded me that I quoted a bit from the Lady of Shalott at husband a couple of days ago, the bit about she left the web she left the loom she made three paces through the room, but I can’t remember why!
Oh, that’s so funny! 😀
It is when you think about it!
More than a coincidence! 😀
We don’t believe in coincidences, do we?
Maybe for others. 😏
True. We can’t be linked up to absolutely everybody 🙂
😀
Beautiful post, Merrill! You’re torturing me with the wine and grilled cheese photos though. First on Instagram and now here…my two favorite things! Love the photos today.
Thank you so much, Jill. Sorry about the torture. 😏 There were different food trucks, but I had to have grilled cheese! And the Cab Franc was delicious, too.
Splendid words, Merril. I want to leap, rejoice, and most of all, hope alongside your verse! The last line mentioning the birds soaring feels celebratory. Please be kind to us, November! xo
Hi, Rose! Thank you very much–and yes, November. . .
I miss my office job because lunch time or the odd 15 minute occasional break always meant I would pop over to WordPress to check in with everyone. Now, away from the office or that sense of routine, I am missing so much. Those precious moments in each photo; the waterlilies, the birds wings, the wine glass, the deer and the soft petals like breath. We hope and get hurt and heal and eat and drink and wish before sleep for a better tomorrow, in the light. Always a joy to walk with you Merril, even in these tough times. Huge hugs and thanks for the podcast mention xxx
Thank you so much for stopping by, Damien. I appreciate your kind words. Hugs back to you!
Beautiful musings, Merril. Somehow you always manage to convey hope, through beauty. 🙂
Aww–thank you so much, Robin!
It was nice to follow the light, even through shadow, as it flowed through this.
Thank you so much, Ken!
This was so wonderful to read. I loved the rhythm. And you always manage to find the good… in all this mess.
Thank you so much, my friend. Those walks do help, don’t they?
That they do!
😀
This is beautiful,I really enjoy these posts where you share some of you
Thank you so much, Jude. That’s a lovely comment.
I mean every word
Awww–thank you! ❤️
You do so well to find such beauty around you
Thank you very much, Derrick.
Those bird photos are magic. It’s funny, I was looking at posts from January 2017, the woman’s march, how hopeful I was despite my despair at the idea of President Trump. But It has turned out so much worse than I could have imagined. And yet, and yet…you capture that feeling so well. (K)
Thank you so much, Kerfe. Yes, we were all so devastated, but we couldn’t imagine how bad it would actually be. Thank you though–those morning walks help.
Those river photos are just breathtaking. My reaction to the following lines was a catch in my throat, followed by a smile:
And yet, the moon shines silver in the night,
the sky is blue, the sun is bright. I walk through shadows,
and into light. Watch as birds take sudden flight—soar, unbound—
beauty all around.
Thank you so much, Liz! That is quite a reaction. I’m so pleased. 😀 I’m glad you liked the photos, too.
You’re most welcome, Merril!
Reading these poetic ruminations is FUN. I could almost rap to it! Here’s to ghosts, blue skies, and wine. Lots and lots of wine. ;-0
Hahaha. Thanks, Pam. 😀
You are so read, and write so from a simply effective place.
It seems I enjoy your words more and more.
Getting to know you.
Thank you. This is such a lovely thing to say! ❤️
Cool, cause it’s true!
😘