Monday Morning Musings:
There might be ghosts in this story–
a tale of family secrets, a haunted house,
nightmares and night terrors
(what if they came for you?)
the spirits, specters, demons, and devils–
a frisson of fear, a shiver and a quiver
as you hear the tale,
it’s not real (you tell yourself)
these things don’t exist
(unless they come for you)
the secret police, the armed agents
to detain, to torture, to turn your life
upside-down, the world we live in now,
where we see the light reflected and wonder how
it is here and there, and wanders
from shore to distant horizon
between what we see
and what we think we see
in the fog, all is a blur,
sound is distorted, it echoes,
a soft purr of distant cars, the honk of a goose
here birds stop, then soar,
but I stand, rooted like the trees,
in the midst of autumn splendor
(I like to think)
still rising, still growing,
knowing that roots connect underground–
so be it. And healthy cells grow, too,
though the malignant tumors stand out,
they are not the entire body (politic),
Still, I sigh, watch the birds fly,
read the horror tales, feel the feels,
they’re not as scary as what is real–
the ghosts of 215,000, rising, plus,
and thus, what’s to come with the scary clown,
while the Constitution is whittled down
we ache, body and soul,
as the fluff-headed victors sound the death knell
to tell of democracy’s demise—yet the story to tell
is that the moon still hums, the stars still sing,
and scatter the light brightening
all, it radiates, falls
in ripples, like the stone I cast
into the river, watch the ripples pass
flowing on, the present an illusion, it doesn’t last,
past to future, goes, in ridges and waves
like light, with colors we won’t ever see,
an essence remaining, like a ghost of ancestors, or you, or me,
the whispers of earth, the songs of the sea.
Merril’s Movie/Theater/Book Club:
We watched a live-streamed production this week, STATE VS. NATASHA BENINA, which you probably won’t be able to access, but if you do get a chance, it’s well-worth it. I wondered how a production done live on Zoom would be (the audience was muted, and I turned off my camera, as I didn’t want people to see me in pjs in our living room). The actress was so good, portraying a Russian teen, who was raised in an orphanage, and now is accused of a crime. The audience is judge and jury, and votes at the end, but that serves more as a lead-in to discussion.
We were going to go out to a winery in the late afternoon yesterday, but the weather was not very nice, so we cancelled. I made a dinner, similar to one we might have had after Philadelphia theater dates, and we watched a filmed play, which is now on Amazon Prime. What the Constitution Means to Me is Heidi Schreck’s award-winning play, and it is excellent. I have heard pieces of it on the radio, as she discussed how she paid for her college education by giving speeches as a teen on the Constitution, but the entire play is really wonderful, as she weaves her personal history, her family’s history of domestic violence, women’s rights, and other issues into the narrative.
We also watched the new version of Rebecca on Netflix. We both enjoyed it. I like Lily James, though she seems rather more attractive and charming than the book character, and Kristin Scott Thomas is very good as Mrs. Danvers. From what I remember, this version does not have the overall menacing, Gothic feel of the Hitchcock movie or the book. I think it’s better to take it as it is, and not compare it to either.
We’re also started watching Borgen on Netflix, a Danish political drama. I like it, though it took a couple of episodes for me to get into it (and to understand the Danish political system).
And I finished The Year of Witching, and I’m almost finished with Home Before Dark. Horror reading—not nearly as scary as reality.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I love all those pebbles and ripples and reflections (you know that) and I especially love the way the rhyme on the last line ties it all up.
Thank you!
There were so many thoughts swirling in my head, I’m glad I found a way to tie it all up! 😀
You did, beautifully!
Thank you. 😀
Your reflections shots are always so beautiful, Merril. As I’ve said to our friend Derrick many times in reference to his photos, your shot of the Red Bank Battlefield would make a fun jigsaw puzzle. I’m drooling over that cheese board!
Thank you very much, Jill. I guess you would have fun(?) with that as a puzzle.
I have to say that I did a great job with that cheese board–I made warm white bean dip with toasts and a spiced plum-apple jam to go with the cheese.
It looks so delicious!
Thank you!
What a wise and grounded and beautiful blog post. Yes: “as you hear the tale, it’s not real (you tell yourself) these things don’t exist (unless they come for you) the secret police, the armed agents
to detain, to torture, to turn your life…” I think about the brave activists in Hong Kong, and Nigeria, and the US and Russia and so many other places — daring/caring to stand up to abuses of power, to corruption, to kleptocratic leadership. And still the moon hums and the stars sing! ps: the photo of the heron standing caused me to take a deep, calming breath. And then it flew away so gracefully…
Well said!
❤️
Thank you for stopping by to read and comment, Will. And thank you for the lovely comment! I love seeing that heron at the river. It makes my day when I see it early in the morning. Yesterday was a sad day for our country when democracy was undermined. Deep breath–hoping for a change for the better!
Wow, Merrill. This poem is perfect for the moment. You capture everything perfectly. Love the photos, too. I also really appreciate your recommendations. I’ve watched several movies from your list. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Cheryl!
And thank you for letting me know about the movies! We tend to see the not so popular ones, and I know they’re not for everyone. 😏
These are the lines that most resonate with me:
past to future, goes, in ridges and waves
like light, with colors we won’t ever see,
an essence remaining, like a ghost of ancestors, or you, or me,
Thank you very much, Liz. I appreciate knowing that.
You’re welcome, Merril.
Your photos are full of the beauty of autumn light that contrasts so sharply with the darkness that has descended upon our country and our world. The court legacy of this administration will cast a very long shadow on our children and their children if we survive it at all. I hope it will not come to knocks on the door in the night, but I am fearful. (K)
Thank you, Kerfe.
Yes, this is a very sad day for our country. I’m anxious and afraid–yet hoping that things will get better before too long.
That court is going to be there for a very long time.
It would be nice if they could get Kavanaugh impeached for lying, but that’s a dream, like the dump going to prison.
lock em all up I say….
Splendid photography and perfect poetic portrayal of the menace of the times with suggestions of future recovery; also good reports of viewing and reading – reinforcing the earlier message of reality being more scary than the imagination.
Thank you very much, Derrick. I appreciate your thorough comment!
Wow the photos of the trees and leaves are gorgeous, I liked the pink-n-green-leafed one.
The movie snack tray, pleaseeee😭🤤
And those books and movies I’m going to do a little further digging on.
A wonderful share.
Thanks so much, Jude! I was trying to enjoy the beauty of those leaves today. We’re supposed to get a lot of rain tomorrow, so I think the trees might get kind of bare. I’d share the snacks if I could. 😀
It’s been raining everyday here. I guess yeah, enjoy it while it’s here, and keep sharing.
😀
I feel every line of your poem. And it is nice to meet a fellow heron stalker.
Thank you so much! I definitely am a heron stalker! I took about 20 photos of one today. 🤣
Merril, your musings are like a modern day troubadour.
They travel, herald comings and goings, bring the news, speak of love; and poetry is your music.
Great shots, poignant post!
Thank you so much, Resa. That is such a kind and lovely comment! 💙
Always wonderful poetry with beautiful images. I love Mondays (even when I’m a week behind 😉 )
That is my kind of meal!
And I watched Rebecca the week before. I really do enjoy Lily James and Kristin Scott Thomas did a fab job, I agree. Best not to compare (which I can’t as I’ve not seen any other version)
Thank you very much–and I so appreciate that you went back to read this post!
That meal was delicious! 😋 If you ever get a chance, watch the Hitchcock version of Rebecca. Did you read the novel?
Oh, I’m still trying to catch up! And I bet it was, accompanied by a nice glass of wine…
I know (okay, I’m fairly sure) I have this book. I cleared out my mother’s bookshelves once and I feel like I saw that one. Been searching for it!
I really need to re-read it. Also her story “The Birds,” which was so different from the movie, but much scarier, in a different way.
So many books… sigh…
🤣
I know, right?