Monday Morning Musings:
Sun rising, moonset
another day to fret
we can’t forget
ever, not yet,
the agitation in the nation–
whatever the frustrations–
instigators and insurrectionists,
racists, and white supremacists,
in armed rebellion to overthrow–
it really happened—and they must go.
They should be tried for their crimes—
spreading lies, hate, violence, and plagues—sad times
for our country, for the world, I cry
for us all, for those who’ve been lost—the wind sighs
with their ghosts. This is not who we are, some say,
yes, it is, but we can find another way.
Some will always be lost to hate,
leave them to their fate. Deflate
what is possible, build from the ashes, anew.
See there—the sun rises–golden beams reflect on blue,
in rosy haze, the geese take wing, then land—
and like them, I hope we can have and stand,
Geese in dawn light on the Delaware River at Red Bank Battlefield, ©️Merril D. Smith, 2021
with leaders who try to serve
the many, not themselves only—preserve
out of many, one—come together, the sun rising, just begun.
I’m sure everyone knows what happened this past Wednesday—insurrectionists, incited by President 45, attempted to overthrow the U.S. government. He, the GOP lawmakers who supported him, and those who engaged in sedition should be arrested, removed from office and jobs, and tried. In addition to hate and sedition, they also most likely spread Covid. I’ve been thinking a lot about the Rising Sun chair. It’s the chair George Washington sat in while presiding over the sessions of the Constitutional convention. James Madison later wrote that Benjamin Franklin said of the chair, “I have often looked at that behind the president without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now I… know that it is a rising…sun.” You can see the chair here.
I also thought of how thousands, including me, have marched in peaceful protests.
Merril’s Movie Club: Last night we watched Elizabeth is Missing, which features an outstanding performance by Glenda Jackson. It was shown in the U.S. on Masterpiece. Some may not wish to see it because Jackson portrays a woman with Alzheimer’s. It was somewhat upsetting to me in that it made me think of my mom. At the same time, the movie and her portrayal are so accurate and sympathetic, that I felt myself thinking that’s how it must have been for my mom—except that she was nearly blind and far less mobile than Jackson’s character. The story, however, is about Jackson’s character solving two mysteries. The present-day disappearance of her friend, and the decades-old disappearance of her sister.
We’re about to start Season 2 of Occupied (Netflix). Season 1 of this Norwegian series was excellent and exciting. I also finished Bridgerton (Netflix). I probably don’t have to say anything about that. Binge and swoon. (But if you don’t know anything about it, it’s a period piece and a Shonda Rhimes production. My daughter described it as Jane Austen with sex.)
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
such beautiful photos reminding us of beauty of nature amongst the ugliness of mankind … strange that ‘kind’ is part of the word man. Thoughts are with you all in the US.
Thank you very much, Susan. There was definitely a lot of hate, rather than kindness, in the air.
Mankind, I meant to say ..
😀
What Susan said. Geese make better people than people. It’s so sad for the ‘normal’ informed and aware people in the US who see the Trump débacle for what it is.
Thank you–yes, you are right. And people are still supporting him. It’s crazy!
Thank you for reminding us of the beauty that still remains. Your Instagram photos were gorgeous as well!
Thank you, Jill. 😀
I agree–they should all be in jail. But, sadly, they will continue to despoil all attempts at dialogue. Still, the sun rises and gives us a beautiful sky. And I have to believe there are more of us than them. (K)
Yes, I agree. I’m scared and anxious, but I still have to find some beauty.
The world is still beautiful, despite the antics of its human inhabitants. If only they would get outside themselves and take a look…
Excellent, Merril! You’ve shared your thoughts and feelings about the crazy that your country is living. But there has to be something good ahead. And yes, they all should be arrested and their pensions cancelled…(I’m assuming your politicians are like ours? They serve a term and live the good life till they die? Makes me want to spit for some of them.)
Thank you very much, Dale. Yes, if a certain politician was convicted after being impeached or convicted of some other big crime, then he’d lose his pension. For others in government, I suppose it’s the same–if they’re convicted of a crime.
It should be so. Even when they quit, it should be prorated.
Oh, that rosy light! The river has outdone herself, just beautiful. The use of rhyme in your poem is particuarly effective to underscore the absurdity and outrage of recent events.
Thank you, Liz! I thought I had replied to your comment, but it looks like I didn’t. The sky was amazing that day. Thank you regarding the rhyme. 😀
You’re most welcome, Merril!
‘we can’t forget
ever, not yet,’
I do hope we never will,…..but.
I am pleased you managed to watch the film and found some understanding there
Thank you very much, Derrick.
Binge and swoon… lol! Not sure why that made me laugh, but it was good to do so.
“… leave them to their fate./Deflate/what is possible” That is my hope. I don’t know what else we can do. There seems to be no change possible for some.
Your images are beautiful. Your words encapsulate what so many of us feel (or at least I am interpreting them that way).
It’s such a binge-able show, and I there’s an episode the refers to swooning. 😀
Thank you very much for your comment. It’s very scary, frustrating, and horrible about what’s going on–and yet, there is still beauty around.