Monday Morning Musings:
Crow Dreams
“Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.”
–Langston Hughes, Dreams
Storm-dark clouds turn sunrise pink
daffodils toss their heads and quip,
eagles soar, mockingbirds sing, it’s spring
and bombs explode, mothers cry, lovers part, a child’s song
bursts from the heart
atrocities and carnage—I read of ancient Troy, I read of today–
nothing changes, and the world spins,
another day
of hope and grief, for building nests and
laying eggs, now greenery grows–
the cherry trees bloom—
the petals fall
soft rain
quiet tears,
tiny shoes
placed on a mall.
The crows have been very busy.
I dream of birds, of red-winged blackbirds chirping
against a peacock-blue sky, of
dusky crows on slate-grey rocks, gazing
as the river’s azure ribbon flows—
what does it know?
My dreams are the colors of portend and possibility,
breadcrumb paths from my subconscious
for me to follow and taste.
I toss Cheerios to the crow,
essential elements that dissolve on the tongue
like thoughts, like dreams
I hold them fast, I let them go.
I’ve had a couple dreams about crows lately, and other morning I wrote the last couple stanzas of this poem while I was waking and still in bed. After I wrote it, I thought of the Langston Hughes poem, and then I went back and wrote the beginning of the poem.
Overnight we had a frost advisory, but then on Wednesday and Thursday we’re going to have summer-like weather. That will be the end of the daffodils.
Merril’s Movie, TV, Book Club:
This week we watched Apollo 10 ½ (Netflix). It was enjoyable–a sweetly, nostalgic fantasy for people who grew up in the 1960s.
However, I LOVED The Worst Person in the World. It was Norway’s entry for the Academy Awards, and it is on several best movie of the year for 2021 lists (including Barack Obama’s).
So, it’s a definite Merril movie—if you’re looking for popular, action films, this isn’t it. It was worth seeing simply for Renate Reinsve’s peformance. She was wonderful as Julie, a young woman who is trying to find herself. I’ve seen it described as a sort of anti-rom-com, in that there is romance, but. . .
Also—my first poetry collection, River Ghosts, published by Nightingale and Sparrow Press, is out in the world! I don’t have a copy yet, but you can get yours here. Or available soon here.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Favorite lines: “My dreams are the colors of portend and possibility,
breadcrumb paths from my subconscious
for me to follow and taste.”
I like how your inspiration comes together in the liminal space between sleeping and awakening. Sometimes that happens to me too. . . or when I’m walking or cooking or showering. . . not activity seeking the right words. Thanks for the link to your new collection Brava, Merril!
Thank you very much, Marian.
I often find the right words in those times/activities, too, Marian. Lately, those early morning hours have worked for poetry.
These were my favorite lines as well, Marian.
Lovely, Merril. Exactly what I needed today. Happy early book birthday!
Thank you so much, Jill!
A poignant poem, indeed. Thanks for the movie rec, it sounds like my kind of film. Congrats on River Ghosts!!
Thank you so much, Charlotte!
I just ordered my copy of River Ghosts, hurray!!
Oh, Yayyyyy! (Picture Kermit the Frog.) Thank you so much, Liz! 💙
You’re most weclome, Merril!
Congratulations again! And thanks for all the bird photos. My crow came back to the water tower this morning, which started my day off well. (K)
Thank you so much, Kerfe.
The crows are so busy–and so are the other birds.
Such starkly contrasted images in your poem, beautifully woven into one another, Merril!
Thank you so much, Ingrid! 😊
You have captured, and risen above, the desperate sadness of our times, Merril
That’s so very kind, Derrick. Thank you!
Congratulations again on your book! So exciting! Love the poem and the photographs are amazing! 🙂
Thank you so much, Linda! 😊
Merril–I really don’t want to order from Amazon, but I tried a few browsers and they all say the Nightingale and Sparrow website is unsafe so I can’t order the book there–you might want to let them know. (K)
Beautifully done.
I cannot believe I got a copy before you did! Of course, I did get it through Amazon – I didn’t realise at the time.
I shall have to check out The Worst Person in the World. Might see if I can watch it now 🙂
Thank you! I ended up ordering some through Amazon, too. 😊
It’s a very Merril movie (though in many critics top 2021 movies, too).
Too funny.
I shall watch it.
😀