Monday Morning Musings:
Without moving, we travel far
time and space collapse
as we traipse—everywhere—
from chair and couch
and as the virus rages,
we turn the pages,
hungering for new plots and changes,
a denouement, and all comes clear
order restored, till the world veers
again, and we can only go forward
into what remains to be seen.
other plagues brought serfdom down
and gathered nations in a league—
attempts made, bells rung,
but mostly heroes go unsung
and lies coming tripping off a tongue
gaining currency as far-flung they’re spread
bad news and dread
sell more stories, but check the optics
and we’ll see. Perhaps your story holds a key,
turn the lock, and make our ratings soar
till wiped away by war.
But the lies circle round, and some believe
the tales the sad sacks or the haters weave–
they choose to believe–
but we? We grieve
we grieve we grieve
(well, those of us who see it.)
Yet, every dawn is a new beginning
and hope wings to the clouds,
the moon will shine when I am gone,
and waves like a teasing lover
will still kiss the shore,
to dart away,
as far-flung ancient light
dances across the sky, always, and forevermore.
We still haven’t gone anywhere because of Omicron. Though we bought a few theater series, and there’s a play soon. . .so perhaps, since everyone is required to show proof of vaccination and to remain masked.
And in other news, an authoritarian minority is taking over our government. 2+2=5
We did have a much-needed, lovely family Zoom on Friday night.
We streamed, A Hero, Asghar Farhadi’s new film. I’ve liked his previous movies, A Separation and A Salesman, so I was eager to see this one, which is available on Amazon Prime now. Like his other movies, situations are not black and white, and no one is totally good or bad. Rahim is in prison for debt, and while on a two-day leave, he tries to make arrangements with his creditor so he can make a payment and be released, but one lie leads to another, and nothing goes as expected. . . It did give us a lot to talk about, and it also gave us glimpses of Iranian life and culture (and prison system). Another excellent film.
We’re watching the final season of the wonderful show The Expanse, also on Amazon Prime. It’s a very complex show—sort of a grittier, less idealistic version of Star Trek, except it’s about human empires and colonization in space, not aliens. Imagine Rome or the British Empire with rebelling colonies, but in space it’s Earth, Mars, and “the Belters,” as well as various other factions and pirates. It’s not a cartoonish sci-fi show. Characters and situations are not black and white here either. As Capt. Holden says of his world-weary crew, we’ve all done things we regret. (Yet we still root for them and their ship, the Rocinante.)
I’m hosting Quadrille Monday at dVerse, so I’ll be back later today! Cold weather comfort food below. Enjoy!
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I’m glad you managed to find hope in amongst all the grief, Merril 😊
Thank you, Ingrid. So many awful things going on. . .but those morning walks do help!
I always love your Monday Musings. Like Ingrid, I am glad you always manage to find hope amidst the crazy and sad.
Aww–thank you! My first version made me depressed, so I lightened it a bit after my morning walk. 😀
See? A choice you made!! Works for me and for you!
You’re right! 😀
😀
Such wonderful skies, and the moon!
Food and family provide much needed sustenance. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe.
Yes, I agree.
How moving! What a wonderful way to express current struggles💖
Thank you so very much! 💙
I love these photos!
Thank you so much, Jill!
Yes, we grieve (and wonder why we’re not all up in arms about the authoritarians and then grieve some more). Thank you for the hope in your words and images.
Beautiful photos! I love the last stanza of your poem! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you very much! 😀
Love the cat! Such an adorable expression!
Thank you! He’s definitely my cat, and he is so sweet.
I got both shots + the booster but still got a mild form of the virus, Omicron, I assume. At the moment, my body has produced antibodies, but I continue to wear a mask in deference to my community.
The food looks wonderful, like dishes my mother used to make. My supper will not compete with this!
I didn’t know you’d been sick, Marian. I hope you’re feeling better.
Thank you for the compliment! I’m sure your dinner was delicious, too. 😋
I was a “breakthrough” case, but I still recommend getting vaccinated. Without the benefit of the vaccine, I would probably have gotten much sicker.
I’m grieving, grieving, grieving evermore every day, so I’m going to take “Sunrise over the water” with me from your post–and some oatmeal cookies.
You are battling such anguish
That sounds very dramatic. 😀 No, there are just lots of horrible situations in the world right now.
Your musing so closely reflects my own musings about this time we live in. For me, there’s some irony (?) in our current condition. I’m vaxxed and masked yet I don’t feel the freedom to travel because of all the unvaxxed and unmasked out there, and yet those same people claim to be exercising their freedom to not be vaxxed and masked. While they exercise their freedom, I feel compelled to stay close to home. Doesn’t seem quite fair … 😉 Your photos are so gorgeous!
Thank you, Marie. We definitely live in an upside down world. Did you see where Robert Kennedy, Jr. said something like Anne Frank had more freedom than people forced to get vaccinated? Completed horrid looney tunes!
Thank you about the photos. 😀
No, I didn’t see Kennedy’s comment. I can’t imagine what kind of freedom he thinks she had. He’s really gone off the deep end …
Yes, he has.
The virus…
From couch and chair, for me could be, from couch to chair.
Your words are honest, and easy to read.
This time, I see!
What are those dumpling things?
Thank you very much, Resa.
On the noodles? They’re vegetarian Swedish meatballs.
Ahh, nice!
I love being a veggie! I can look at animals and love them with some dignity.
Yeah, I don’t eat meat, though I do eat some fish. My husband does eat meat, but he really likes these meatballs.
😀 Very cool!
😀
“Yet, every dawn is a new beginning
and hope wings to the clouds”
I still hope that, with each new day, things will turn around.
Thank you very much, Ken. I do, too.