Monday Morning Musings:
This is when the world takes wing
in the turning of summer from our spring
when everything becomes lush and greenest green
the grass and leaves
Two for joy–crows! 
Crow in flight over the Delaware 
Crow in flight over the Delaware, June 2021
sigh in gentle breeze and rustle in the storms
as cotton ball clouds flower to take new forms
and azure sky turns charcoal-hued
until another day spins by
another day older, children fly
out the door calling good-bye—
chicks and goslings grow so fast,
you hold the thoughts to make them last.
I think this is the one who always wanders off.
And so, now the days grow slowly darker,
imperceptible at first, no marker
for the shadows cast, till autumn comes
and winter’s darkness cast
but in shadowed darkness the light never disappears—
despite our worries and our fears,
we make another turn round our glowing star–
do we measure it in miles or hours—the journey how far?
Seasons of love, freedom, and glory,
we celebrate each story
in the turning from spring to summer
when the world, despite everything, yet sings
in robin trill and mockingbird song
all night long, and all night long
the dreams drift from sea to shore,
where in the past our children played
and in some world, I think
perhaps still do.
Saturday was Juneteenth. President Biden signed the law making it a federal holiday on Thursday. Fourteen Republicans voted against it. I found this post from several years ago by Henry Louis Gates on the history and relevance of Juneteenth.
Yesterday was Father’s Day. My husband Zoomed with older child as they worked on a woodworking project together. He’ll get together with younger child later this week. It was also the summer solstice, and it was a hot, but beautiful day. I got my husband this Father’s Day t-shirt to add to his collection of nerdy shirts, and we tasted two of the three red wines we still had left from my wine-tasting box. It looks like you have to click on some of the photos to see them properly.
Rabbit celebrated the summer solstice 
Sun and shadows 
Doug waiting for the wine tasting 
Wine tasting reds 
Father’s Day from a few years ago
Our anniversary is later in the week, and that’s the time of year we used to take our children to Ocean City, NJ for a summer vacation.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Happy Monday to you, Merril!
A lovely celebration of the summer solstice told as only you can.
Love the shirt and your photos are, as always, sublime!
“another day spins by”– I love the different levels of meaning there!
That was the line that caught my attention as well!
Thank you so much. It’s so interesting to me what gets readers’ attention.
You’re welcome. When I’ve called out particular lines in another poet’s work, he’s noted that the line I chose was the line that the entire poem had been built from.
I think that is sometimes the case with me, but in this poem that particular line was almost a casual line I tossed in. With my MMM’s, I normally just start writing and see what happens.😀
I’m a writing-as-act-of discovery writer myself. 😀
😀
The flora, the fauna, and the fine Father’s Day. Happy Monday, Merril!
Thank you very much, Marian!
Doug looks so patient waiting for his wine.😉 Your photos keep getting better…so beautiful!
Thank you very much, Jill!
Nature’s progression as a metaphor for life – especially the chicks and goslings. The Father’s Day pics even spans the years.
Thank you, Derrick. I’m pleased you got that.
A feast of photos and prose Merril! Happy Solstice Day!
Thank you very much, Susan! 🌞
I love the now and then father’s day photos.
We’ve had those sudden grey skies too. And what a beautiful turtle!
Republicans have lost all sense of…well, anything. (K)
Thank you so much, Kerfe. I thought the turtle was beautiful, too.
Yes, the weather is crazy–and the Republicans even crazier!
The box turtle is incredibly beautiful. Lately I’ve been noticing patterns occurring naturally in animals and plants. It’s really quite remarkable.
I thought so too 🐢
-David
Thanks, David. 😀
Thank you so much, Liz. I was really fascinated by her front leg. 😀
You’re welcome, Merril.
Happy Anniversary! Exquisite poem and love the photos, a delightful collection of family and location …
Thank you so much, Kate! 💙
you are most welcome Merril
Your poetry ALWAYS connects with me, within me. This one is no exception. How fast the time flies, and this is my favorite season now – Summer – I think because I need the sun, the light, the bright promise of longer days, not shorter ones. They’re short enough, by god. I love the idea that in some way, our children are still… kids… running in for some cookies and milk. Happy Anniversary! Ours is in 7 days – to celebrating love. ❤
Thank you so much for your kind words, Pam! The time does fly. I’m not a fan of super hot days and high humidity, but summers of the past seemed very special, and usually June is beautiful.
Our anniversary isn’t actually until tomorrow–hoping for good weather!
Whatever the weather, your day will be beautiful! ❤
💙
Love that “when the world takes wing” and the photos, too! Hope your week has been good so far!
Thank you so much, Luanne. 💙
I’m reading in reverse order. This poem is very like the one you wrote with the Oracle today (Saturday). You had such specific things happening to comment on, but the drift is the same in both your poems and in the one the Oracle gave me, even though mine is darker. Lovely experiences 🙂 You’re right to take photos. I never do and I always regret it!
Thank you very much!
I think there has been a lot of similar and related things going on the past couple of weeks.
It is good to simply be in the moment and not take photos, but then it’s wonderful to look back at the photos. There are lots of moments when our children were younger and other experiences that I wish I had photos of. It’s so much easier to take photos now.
We were out much of yesterday, too, so I’m just catching up on reading.
Husband went into Bordeaux today and saw the little family. All looking good 🙂 He brought our second daughter back with him so we’ve had a bit of social interaction too 🙂
Oh, lovely! I’m glad the little family is doing well, and you got to see your daughter. 💙
What we need is somewhere to put everyone so they can stay over. Nobody wants to feel like the characters in a Nativity play!
You mean like living in a barn?
Exactly. Most of this house is barn.
😀
Great shots here. The opening pic is brilliant! Love the goslings and turtle.
Your musings are brilliant, too!
Thank you very much, Resa. I might have a mural shot for you tomorrow. 💙
OBOY!
If you get to the mural, and get a few shots… you know full, some close-ups, I can do a proper Guest Post!
I know I’m coming off pushy, but you have excited me.
However, 1 shot will be fine! I will show it off! xx
Hahahaha. I already took the photo. I’m not sure how great it is. It will probably be in part of my musings tomorrow. 😀