Monday Morning Musings:
I dream poems
of misty November mornings
and blue rivers tinged with shimmery pink,
of wine-dark skies, I drink
from half-full glasses filled with hope
and watch opalescent glow breaking bright–
last night, I dreamt of glass-ceilings shattered–
not store-front windows–
of people raised, not battered
in coordinated terror, fleeing sharp shards
of cutting hate, and the coming conflagration to annihilate–
but I dream not of bonfire flash and ashes,
of books and people burned, but autumn peace,
watching the sun sink behind russet leaves,
knowing the flaming eaves are an illusion,
without any confusion, simply beauty,
the way it should be.
And so, my poetry dreams
lucid, drifting through timeless place,
with pellucid water rippling through space and time-
expanding circles
that never end, from sand to horizon,
rising whispers to stars and sea, see me–
the light burns through fog to capture shadows and gild the trees.
So, I guess this is really meta, since I really did dream poems last night of misty November mornings and blue rivers.
Today is the anniversary of Kristallnacht (Night of crystal), November 9-10, 1938, also called the Night of Broken Glass when Nazis and supporters carried out pogroms on the Jewish population and businesses in Germany and annexed areas. You can read more here.
Probably everyone reading this knows that Joe Biden is now the official president-elect of the US, and Kamala Harris is the first woman, first Black woman, and first Asian woman in the US to become vice-president elect of the US. We listened to them speak on Saturday night, and I was particularly moved by Harris’s speech.
Merril’s Movie Club: Prior to the listening to the speeches, we watched the movie, Sometimes Always Never, a sweet, quirky little movie starring Bill Nighy as a father searching for his lost son who vanished during a Scrabble game years before. There is a lot about Scrabble and words in the film. We both enjoyed it, but definitely not for the action, blockbuster crowd. It’s on Amazon.
We have had unseasonably warm days, and we managed to get reservations for outdoor wineries twice this week, William Heritage Winery, and the Auburn Road Winery Wine Garden at Hill Creek Farms. I’m afraid we may go into lockdowns soon, and even if we don’t, I won’t be sitting indoors, so I thought we’d enjoy it while we can.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
You have a blessing to see things so beautiful in common instances!🍁 Beautiful
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To dream in poems must be wonderful! Here’s to a happy partnership. I hope Harris doesn’t disappoint, there’s a lot riding on how she performs.
It was so funny. I knew I was dreaming, and I was writing poetry and seeing images and saying I have to remember this. . .
I hope so, too. I hope the current resident doesn’t make things way worse before they get to the White House.
Did you remember most of it?
Yes, he can do a lot of damage before he’s carried out screaming and kicking.
I just remember impressions, not an actual poem.
Yes, he’s trying to do as much damage as he can.
Impressions can add up to a poem. And sometimes those great ideas we have when we’re asleep aren’t so great when we wake up 🙂
Yes, both true. 😀
Your photographs are incredible, Merril. What a good eye you have. I love the shot with the split-rail fencing and also lake shot after the cute photo of you and Mick! 🙂
Thank you so much, Jill!
I laugh every time you call him Mick. 🤣🤣
Ahh Merril… So much joy in today’s Musings! And those pictures are divine.
I went to a friend’s house yesterday for drinks and a supper on her back balcony. It was so beautiful to be able to do that in November!
We must take advantage of all the opportunities as they arise, yes?
Oh, I’ll have to see if I have that movie (Amazon is as bad as Netflix with the Canada/US restrictions…)
Thank you very much, Dale. It’s amazing what how much brighter the world seems since Saturday.
I’m glad you were able to enjoy the lovely weather, too.
Maybe since it’s an English movie, you’ll be able to find it.
No kidding!
I am glad, too.
There’s a good chance. I haven’t checked yet (I’m working… Half-assed, as you can see 😏)
A beautiful poem accompanied by stunning images, Merril. I too was deeply moved by Harris’s speech.
Thank you very much, Ingrid!
I can’t listen to the current president at all. It was great to hear intelligent and thoughtful speeches.
I agree: his voice makes my skin crawl. Good riddance!
“To dream in poems.” What a wonderful thought! Beautiful words, beautiful images. I love the one of the tree that is enveloping your shadow-spirit.
Isn’t it marvelous to listen to politicians who speak in whole sentences and who inspire rather than whine? 😀
Thank you so much, Robin! I like that photo, too. 😀
Yes, it is! Real words and coherent sentences, and who talk about bringing people together–a breath of fresh air.
Wonderful photos of the two of you! I always think of Ann Frank and the words in her diary: “I still believe that in spite of everything that most people are truly good at heart.” What a beautiful soul…to look continuously for the good, amidst so much brokenness. On a ‘misty November morning’, her words shimmer in a pink ribbon of hope. We too, must continuously look for the good in others. When we try to see as she saw, ‘the light does begin to burn through the fog…’ Always, the world is more beautiful through the eyes of love.
Thank you, I try to look for beauty.
I wonder though, if she had lived, if her words might be different.
Sadly, that is something we will never know. I do know that whenever my heart has been broken by someone who has hurt me deeply, I remember those words of hers that I read when I was a very young girl myself. It has brought me comfort, and so, I thank God for her life. Her life was cut short by shards of brutal, broken glass, but her words live on…healing words that bring life and hope. It is to that spirit that we raise our glasses… the spirit of love that lives on.
The photo of the shadow in the tree is wonderfullymysterious. …and yes, enjoy the love and the wine. (K)
Thank you very much! Yes, I walked by that tree, saw my shadow, and walked back to get the photo. 😀
Here’s to sweet dreams. That picture was well worth positioning your shadow.
Thank you very much, Derrick!
Your words and pictures are dreamlike and poetic Merril. A sumptuous feast thank you. And a huge sigh of relief from this side too at the election outcome. I just hope that the fall out while he’s still in charge can be limited.
Thank you so much, Susan.
Yes, we may been in for a couple of rough months. . .
Beautiful. I loved everything about this post. Especially the tree shadow. So glad to have wandered into your place tonight.
Thank you so much! I’m so pleased that you wandered by and left a lovely comment.
Ah, to dream poems. I’m glad I’m coming to this post first thing in the morning. It’s a perfect way to start my day. No more dreams deferred!
That is so kind! Thank you, Liz–and the Langston Hughes reference! ❤️
You’re most welcome, Merril!
Such beautiful photos! I love the one of your shadow in the trees ❤️ And these lines I’ll hold close:
without any confusion, simply beauty,
the way it should be.
Thank you very much, Marie!