Monday Morning Musings:
“I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars”
Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, 31“Out of such chaos, of such contradiction
We learn that we are neither devils nor divines”
–Maya Angelou, A Brave and Startling Truth
Not yet dawn, the robins sing
in twinkling tones that answer stars–
light becoming sound,
the call for love all around,
a song that runs through nature
carried in secret whispers of the wind
heard even in fog-obscured morning
a sun-bright melody pinned
to the coming of spring.
Am I the river that murmurs,
the breeze the rustles leaves and grass,
the perfect blue of sky, and the white peony clouds
floating past–
I hear their sigh–
I am everything
the bloom of life, the garden’s laughter, the love the flies
on dragonfly wings, gossamer, then gone–
the flash of mirrored light
the echoed song
the transformation of grape to wine,
that ephemerality that lingers through
the shape of time
the triangles and circles,
the nebulae of cells
the marvel of blooms
that call birds and bees
in colors beyond what we can see—
the echo of an empty room,
the startling truth of us and stars
in mingled dust, brave as a leaf–
the contradiction of belief,
a tangle of shades and sounds–
a wondrous mess, this existence is ours.
We actually went out this past week! We sat outside at a winery on Wednesday.Purim started that night, and I made Hamantaschen, the triangular filled pastries. We went to a Judy Collins concert on Friday night. That day began with dense fog, then turned to bright sunshine, then got cloudy again. We saw a play on Saturday afternoon. It was a play we were supposed to see the previous Saturday—when it was snowing. What a change in a week! It was almost summery as we walked around Old City Philadelphia before the show. March is living up to its reputation.
Concert, play, wedding stalking, and murals and street art for Resa.
Meanwhile, the craziness of the world continues. The concert venue, the Scottish Rite auditorium in Collingswood said that vaccination/proof of negative Covid tests were required, but they didn’t check. The ushers were masked, as were we, but most people were not. On the Patco train, masks were required, but we were in the minority wearing ours. At the Philadelphia Arden Theater, however, we had to show our vaccination cards and ID, and remain masked.
The war in Ukraine goes on, and the GOP extremists are still peddling Russian disinformation. Sigh. But spring is beautiful.
Judy Collins was wonderful. She can still sing and write, and she’s gracious and funny. The play Tracking Back, was funny and heartwarming—just what we needed.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Wonderful to hear that about Judy Collins! So much to love here. And these photos! And the Whitman quote. I think he’s one of the most important American poets ever, really. He doesn’t really get his due any more. He was worlds ahead of everyone else.
Thank you so much, Luanne!
Judy Collins was really great.
Walt Whitman probably doesn’t get his due, though around here we’re reminded about him by the bridge named for him. Hahaha! One of the wineries we visit has a wine called Eidolon, and they give a small donation from every bottle of it purchased to the Walt Whitman House in Camden.
That is so cool to live there! Well, not there exactly, but close! That’s the only problem with living out here in the new world–not a lot of literary history. Other history, but not literary and not architecture.
One of these days, I’ll actually get to his house. 😏
and do a post.
😏
Forsythia and daffodils always announced spring in Pennsylvania. And I associated the spicy scent of hyacinths with rebirth, renewal, and (taken another way), a “wondrous mess.” I’m glad you could venture out. 😀
Thank you very much, Marian.
It was good to finally have some nice weather and different things to see.
‘A tangled mess’ but how beautiful it all is! We do well to celebrate these shining moments 🙂
Thank you, Ingrid. I think so, too.
It sounds as though your outing was very restorative!
I don’t know about restorative, but it was good to get out and see and hear something different!
I hear that! I’m experiencing some cabin fever myself of late.
I understand!
Such a beautifully woven poem with your pictures to conquer the day Merril!
lovely 💖💖🌻🙏
Aww–thank you so much, Cindy! 💙💙
Always Merril! 💖🌻🙏
Beautiful photos, Merril. I especially loved the Forsythia in the Fog and the red bridge.
Thank you so much, Jill. I’m pleased you loved the photos so much. The red bridge is a little footbridge in a park in Collingswood, NJ.
Such a beautiful post , words and photos Merril. You can always brighten and uplift the spirit. 💙
Thank you so much, Rene! 💙
You are so welcome!
A delight as always Merril thank you! Your photos are always uplifting for me. Spring can be capricious but her signs are wondrous indeed and a reminder of the joys amongst the tragedies of life.
Thank you so much, Susan.
Your verses and photography look to the future; and you Goofy does not hide behind his mask
Thank you very much, Derrick! 🤣
I really like the fog photos. There’s been a lot here as well.
I’m glad you managed to get out. Most are maskless here too. I hope they are right about the danger, but I fear they are not. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe.
Yes, it’s hard to know what to think or do. . .
I love this: “a wondrous mess, this existence is ours.” It is ours, warts and all as they say. Earlier today I wrote to a friend that sometimes I’m suddenly overcome with love for my life, like despite (or because of) all the bad, horrific, and embarrassing (think Ted Cruz and Lindsay Graham) news, every so often, I’m filled with a love for the life I have.
Maybe it’s because there is so much suffering in the world and all I can do to try and stem the suffering is by buying knitting patterns from Ukraine or donating to Doctors Without Borders or other charitable groups. At the least, I should (and do) feel gratitude for my home, my life. I sense that in your musings here. Now I just need Judge Jackson to be confirmed as Associate Justice to SCOTUS. I really don’t care if VP Harris has to step in with her vote. It would be nice to get some Republicans on board (hello, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski!), but, if they want to fall into lockstep with McDonnell, so be it.
Thank you, and yes, I completely agree.
The world is uniting for Ukraine, even as GOP horrors are sharing Russian disinformation. And Clarence Thomas really needs to resign. Ginni Thomas–ugh!! I just read that Manchin said he’d vote for Judge Jackson, but I won’t believe it till it happens.
I’ll be surprised too if Manchin votes for Judge Jackson, but he has no reason not to.
Well, none of them do, except they find them.
What a wonderful week, Merril! Sorry I am so late in getting to all your beautiful writings. Spring is very much in your air! I enjoyed joining you as you took your beautiful images and shared your happenings.
No need to apologize. You are such a good friend to come and catch up! I hope you’re feeling better.
They were all lined up, waiting for me 😉
Slowly. So bloody slowly!
But you took the time to read them.
Sorry it’s such a slow recovery. You really
had something bad.
Oh my–my heart just leaped. I was afraid we were getting a tornado warning, but it’s a snow squall warning, which is bizarre, too. The sun’s out.
I will survive. I guess I did! I’m thinking all those years as a kid with bronchitis didn’t help.
Oh my! Definitely take snow squall over tornado!! Glad the sun’s out. It is here, too – but it brings no warmth.
I think we must have been on the edge of the squall. This weather is so weird!
Phew!! This weather is March!
It certainly is!!
I saw a huge accident on one of the highways in PA last night caused by the snow squall… Holy moly…
I heard about that, too. It was northeast of Harrisburg, I believe. Here it suddenly got very cloudy and I saw flurries, but then the sun came back out. Still windy and cold though–only 24 F this morning when I got up.
It was a nasty one! I don’t know how many cars & trucks were finally involved but I winced every time I saw another vehicle come through the “cloud”… It’s bloody cold here, too. Only 19, feels like 7!
It’ starting to warm up here–and definitely a March sun and not November.
We’re only supposed to hit 30 – so still freezing!
😔
Yes, Merril, spring is beautiful.
Thank you for the murals. It is wonderful to be thought of in a special and good light.
Judy Collins is a gem.
I wish so many people were not acting like Covid is over. Wherein does common sense lie?
Thank you, Resa.
I’m glad you saw the murals. I couldn’t get great shots, but I told my husband I had to take some photos for Resa. 😊
I’m thrilled! Thank you for thinking of me!! 💙
You’re welcome! 💙