Monday Morning Musings:
My dreams–a language-storm of do,
or not,
I try to recall
and wonder who are you—
and which is me—
all is enigma and mystery,
like a portrait-sitter lost in time
sublime or shaded, half-smile, three-quarter face
a hint of her wishes, or the artist’s embrace
of unconscious desire, inspiration
in symbols of her worth, still in last laugh–
she gazes into the future,
can she imagine
how she’ll be carted through wars, another spoil,
a wall-hung prize, monster-cherished–
the attraction of beauty to the beast—
opposites, and circles
of the sun and moon–
with light comes shadow,
honeyed joy and bitter sorrow
alternate—the universe’s tessellated patterns
as time moves on. . .
Now, little bird
silent-sitter, waiting to strike–
living dinosaur, a portrait, too.
We finally have a beautiful day after days of oppressive heat, humid, and storms.
I just finished The Night Portrait, a novel by Laura Morelli. I enjoyed both the writing and the story. It takes place in the fifteenth century as Leonardo da Vinci is painting Cecilia Gallerani, then the young mistress of Ludovico Sforza, and during WWII as the Nazis and confiscated art, and the Monuments Men are trying to find the stolen art.
We watched an Icelandic series on Netflix called Katla. If you like dark brooding Scandi-noir mixed with a bit of the supernatural, you’ll like it. It reminded me a little bit of the German series Dark. It’s about a town, now nearly deserted because an underwater volcano has started erupting, and mysterious things begin happening. . .We were really intrigued by it and finished the series in a few nights.
Spaghetti with Feta, Roasted Tomatoes, Spinach. 
Sleeping through the scary parts
We also watched the first episode of season 4 of Unforgotten (PBS). I’m excited that it’s back on.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Beautiful poem Merril.
Massive Hugs
Thank you very much, David. Hugs back!
Beautiful photos, and, a thought provoking piece of, poetry.
Thank you very much!
Shape-shifting all the way Merril, lovely thank you.
Thank you, Susan! Hope things are settling down in S. Africa. I’ve been thinking about you.
I love the deep examination of the portrait and its history presented in your words Merril!
Thank you very much, Ingrid!
I love how your musings take us into so many different places, Renaissance Italy, tree shadow, a splurge of fungus, and dinosaur cormorants!
Thank you so much, Jane! I think that’s how my mind normally works, so I’m glad it worked here. 😀
It works because you always pull in the threads at the end. Then give us a glass of wine, a piece of cake and a film 🙂
I like to be a good host. 😏 (And thank you again.) 💙
Virtual cake is very welcome since I can’t be bothered to bake with real ingredients in a real oven 🙂
And you don’t have to worry about calories either. 😀
I can take it 🙂
😀
Lovely musings on this rainy day, Merril. Beautiful photographs, too!
Thank you so much, Jill! No rain here today. We finally got a beautiful day.
Lovely poem, Merril, and your photos are beautiful. I love seeing the fungus among us 😉 … one nice thing about rain. It’s raining here. We’re settling in, I think, to typical summer weather: humid with afternoon thunderstorms. But I cannot complain. With all the fires out west, I appreciate every drop. Just wish I could make the rain go there.
Thank you, Marie. Yes, we always get lots of mushrooms and fungus here, as it tends to be humid. And that is an excellent perspective. Yes, I suppose I can put up with some rain, too.
“Like a portrait sitter lost in time” immediately resonated as soon as I read the line. It’s an apt metaphor for how I feel sometimes. I’m glad you had a good day for your sky and river to pose for pictures.
Thank you very much, Liz.
I think sometimes of how when we look at a portrait or photo, we’re seeing a moment frozen in time–but there was a whole world going on. . .maybe it still is.
Some of the photos were taken Monday, and some during the week before. It’s still hot, but not so oppressive as it was.
You’re welcome, Merril. That whole world going on in a photo is why I’ve written so many stories and poems inspired by photographs.
💙
What an exquisite painting and it goes so well with your top photo. The humidity has really been unbearable. And I saw mushrooms growing too–so much wetness. The world is either too wet or too dry it seems. (K)
Thank you! It is an exquisite painting, and the history of it is interesting, too, as is the woman alleged to be the sitter.
I remember there were tons of mushrooms last year, too, but these seemed more unusual.
Beautiful musings as always. I pleased your weather is now more comfortable
Thank you very much, Derrick. We ended up turning the a/c back on, but it’s still better than it was for the time being.
I love how you mix your “recap” of the week with what you watched. Lovely musings and photo.
Thank you so much, Dale. I’m so pleased you like that. Sort of a springboard for me. 😀
It’s great and you do it so well!
🙂
Thank you again. 💙
🧡🧡
Wonderful musings, Merril.
Your prose is poignant, and suits The Night Portrait, as you’ve described it.
I think much art the nazis stole was painted by dar haired brown-eyed people.
“Unforgotten”… I’ll check it out!
We’ve been watching “Women Who Kill” series. It’s dark hmour and gets better with each episode.
Huh, smoked mushrooms! 😀
Thank you so much, Resa. I didn’t know of the painting before, but it is fascinating.
The Nazis stole whatever was valuable.
I will look for Women Who Kill. My list is huge, and we’re still (re)watching Dexter. 😀
Lol!!
😀 Dexter away!
😀