Monday Morning Musings:
Things that are lost—
buttons, keys, a pearl earring
summer leaves, the morning light
that fades as the sun rises to its height.
Shadows that follow
then disappear,
like warm-weather fruits—till next year.
A battle, a war,
a way of life from before
when then was now, the shore
of future lay ahead,
the dead were living,
at least in your head.
Memories, a laugh, a song ,
the things you wished once to do
with loved ones you once knew–
husband, father, child, wife,
a beloved pet, a favorite toy—
all the sorrow and the joy,
things that are lost –and sometimes found,
air, love, happiness, roots, connected deep underground.
October seems a month of both beauty and melancholy. The sun rises later and set earlier, but in-between there’s a beautiful glow. We’ve had fog, rain, amazing sunrises, warm days, cold days, and more and more falling colored leaves.
This week we took a brief trip to Hammonton, NJ to pick up some olive oil and balsamic vinegar I like. I also bought cannoli for myself and our daughter (my husband didn’t want one).
We attended a memorial service for my husband’s uncle in Mt. Holly. We went to the service, talked a bit to family members, but then left without eating, as we were not comfortable sitting in the basement room with a bunch of strangers who may or may not be vaccinated. One of the hymns sung was “Amazing Grace.”
Merril’s Movie Club: We streamed three movies this week, all very different, but perhaps sharing a common theme of loss: life, dreams, love, memory. Fever Dream (Netflix) is difficult to describe, as is the novel it’s based on that I read last year. But the title is an indication. I think I liked it more than my husband did. It has a dreamy and slightly unsettling air, with much of it a voice-over between a woman and a boy who is not her son. To give a lot of detail would spoil the movie. There’s a mystery and supernatural elements, and a magical realism feel. We watched The One I Love, a 2014 movie about a couple played by Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss go for a weekend getaway at the suggestion of their therapist (Ted Danson). What looks like a rom com movie slips into the surreal. Again, I won’t give any spoilers, but it was fun, unusual, and gives you something to talk about. Finally, we watched The Black Box, a scifi/horror movie from last year on Amazon. It’s about a father who has lost his memory after an accident. When he undergoes a new treatment, strange things happen. It’s a solid B movie—entertaining and enjoyable.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
A beautiful post all around.
Thank you so much!
Welcome
I agree about October ‘a month of both beauty and melancholy’ – of things lost and found. A beautiful poem. I love those sunrises and sunsets. I’ve been enjoying them here in the fine weather 😊
Thank you so much, Ingrid. Yes, you have some gorgeous views!
Loved your post! It was just what I needed this morning.
Wow! Thank you so much!
Lovely post today, Merril. Your photographs are so beautiful. Mannino’s looks like a wonderful setting for a book!
Thank you so much, Jill!
The autumn decorations are cute. It’s not a very big place–it looks like an ice cream shop inside. (They also sell gelato.)
Your masterful
Writing about things that are lost (and sometimes found) integrated into the photos with thoughts on autumn made this an experience – so beautiful
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And sorry about the loss of a family member
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Oh and have not had cannoli in such a long time – but Tia true swaps for pumpkin varieties
Thank you for your very kind words. I truly appreciate them.
I got the pumpkin cannoli for our daughter. I had the regular with chocolate chips. I’m not sure what Tia true is.
Oh my goodness that is a typo big time! Think Tia swaps was supposed to be something like “that time of year” for
Pumpkin stuff!
Ha
Hahahaha. That made me laugh. Oh, spell check! 🤣
😯
👌👌👌📷
Thanks.
These are such beautiful sunrise photos! They remind me of how amazing it is that each new day’s sunrise is different, even if subtly, from the sunrises that have come before.
Thank you so much, Liz. I know I feel like I keep taking photos of the same thing, but they are always different, too.
You’re welcome, Merril. I enjoy experiencing the subtle differences in your river from day to day.
💙
How about things that are not lost, but frequently mislaid: glasses, cellphone, etc.
Thanks for a lovely poetic post including the photos and movie suggestions, Merril.
Well, you can put all those things in another poem, Marian. 😀
Thank you for your kind words, and you’re welcome.
Great idea!
😀
Mmm. I love a good cannoli.
😀
Lately I think there’s more loss than gain, but that cannoli looks amazing.
It was! Hugs.
Your photos are amazing. Nature definitely think of you as Her photographer 😉 Your poem is lovely too, softly melancholic, but always that hint (at least) of hope, of life continuing on, which it always does for someone. ❤
Thank you very much, Marie. That’s a lovely comment, and much appreciated. 💙
❤
Cannoli. Yum. And your poem seemed written to shed light on things I have been thinking about recently. An affirming post. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Claudia!
The cannoli was really good!
Such a beautiful poem…
Thank you so much, Linda!
Those magic skies. And you capture the feeling of autumn perfectly with your words. (K)
Thank you so much, Kerfe.
This was a particularly beautiful one this week, Merril. Really lovely.
Gorgeous pics!
Thank you so much, Dale! 💙
Truly! 🧡
May we never lose our creativity, our poetic natures, and our sense of humor (so needed these days) Lovely, lovely poem. I’m not into cannoli’s either, and I’m always amazed at the movies you watch. Courageous, indeed. I try some “unique’ ones but end up with a book instead. 🙂 OH, have I asked you yet if you’ve read THE ANTHOLOGIST by Nicholson Baker? I just read a little bit every day – it’s so RICH. And every time I pick it up (main character is a poet) I think of you.
Thank you very much, Pam!
I can’t remember the last time I had a cannoli. It was delicious, but definitely not a very often treat.
Courageous to watch movies? Probably most of the ones we see are “unique.” 🤣
You did mention the book, and no, I haven’t read it yet. But thank you for the reminder–and for thinking of me! I can’t remember now if I looked to see if it was at my local library or not.