Monday Morning Musings:
Forever
“Forever – is composed of Nows –“
—Emily Dickinson“If forever doesn’t exist,” she said, “we’ll invent it ourselves.”
― Nikki Erlick, The Measure
At the tipping point, gold tips green
and russet leaves waltz to wind’s acoustic strings,
they touch the ground, then let it go
and drift into tomorrow.
We follow—or we don’t—
almost living like those leaves,
though deaf to the language of trees,
the whispers far underground–
as geese honk and hawks circle,
we dare to look up
find infinity in a sky of dazzling blue,
and in each memory, confound time.
My mom’s dear cousin, Sali, died yesterday. They were like sisters, so this hits hard, not only because I loved Sali, but also because of her connection to my mom.
And because, it’s what I do, I always seem to find connections and synchronicity in my life. Autumn seems a particularly apt time for reflection, and it has truly come.
After a few beautiful days, when I had some amazing bird watching moments–a pair of hawks and a pair of eagles together one day, and group of vultures the next– October arrived with wind and rain. It’s been raining off and on since Friday night, with heavy rain yesterday. It looks like it may continue until Tuesday or Wednesday. I’m thankful, however, that we only have these remnants of the hurricane that devastated Cuba and parts of Florida.
On Saturday night, we did a virtual wine tasting hosted by Tria in Philadelphia. We picked up our boxes of wine and cheese in the afternoon. The event was a fundraiser for reproductive rights.
Merril’s Movie, Book, TV Club:
A Trip to Infinity: Am I recommending a math documentary? Yes, I am. It’s because, to me, it’s a film of philosophy, possibility, and ideas. It is so well-done, and the experts—mathematicians, philosophers, and physicists–are so engaging as they discuss infinity. I would watch this one again. On Netflix.
I read The Measure, a novel by Nikki Erlich. One day every adult in the world, no matter where they are, receives a box. Inside each box is a string. Some have short strings, and some have long strings—this is the measure of how long they will live. Despite its premise and the prospect of how it could bring out the worst in humans, the novel is ultimately a novel about love and connection.
We are watching the Korean series, Extraordinary Attorney Woo. It had been on my Netflix list for a while. (You will not be surprised that I have a huge list.) Blogger friend Dale convinced me to start watching it, and I’m glad I took her advice. You can’t really tell how delightful this show is from the trailer, but it makes me happy to watch it and to root for Woo.
**I don’t mean to bombard anyone with posts, but I am writing poems for an October Folklore challenge, and today I’ll be back because I’m hosting Quadrille Monday on dVerse. (I guess I better get that poem written!)**
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Sorry for your loss, Merrill. You post is beautifully reflective.
Thank you so much, VJ. I appreciate your kind words.
My pleasure
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother’s cousin, Sali. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayer, Merri. I know it’s hard. Thank you for brightening my morning with your lovely musings and beautiful photographs. xo
Thank you very much, Jill. 💙
gorgeous poem Merril. So sorry for your loss. ❣️
Thank you very much, Cindy! ❤️
You couldn’t have begun your musings more musically: “At the tipping point, gold tips green
and russet leaves waltz to wind’s acoustic strings. . . ”
But then I read of the death of your mother’s cousin Sali and the tune changed for me. My condolences to you and your family.
Thank you very much Marian for the praise and condolences.
I had started writing before I got the news–and also used some of Jane’s random words–but it all came together in my head. . .
“Light and shadow, early morning, Red Bank Battlefield” immediately brought to mind Hopkins’s “Spring and Fall.” It’s one of my favorite poems.
I’m sorry to hear of the passing of your mother’s cousin. Please accept my condolences.
Thank you very much, Liz. And in my weird synchronous world–the second mention of Hopkins in a comment from last night. 🙂
Thank you for your condolences.
You’re welcome, Merril. 🙂
My condolences Merril.
Beautiful birds and skies–what a blue! (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe.
It was magical seeing those birds. Especially the first day when I saw the pair of hawks and the pair of eagles both flying around in the same area for a long time.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I understand what you mean about the connections. Your poem is so very beautiful, magical! The photographs are stunning. There is nothing like a blue sky and birds that soar. Thank you for sharing this on this rain-streaked, chilly October day!
Thank you so much for your very kind words, Linda!
It is chilly and rainy here, too!
I am sorry for your loss, Merril. The rains hit hard here too: I could do with some of those crisp, bright autumn mornings to lift my spirits!
I am so sorry for your loss, Merril. The ghost of Ian has finally cleared out and we have blue sky and sunshine today. I think you are the reason my Netflix queue is so long. That’s not a bad thing. 🙂
Thank you very much, Robin!
We have blue sky and sunshine here now.
If only Netflix gave me a discount for recommendations. 😊 But “Woo” really is a delight.
I am so sorry for your loss, Merril. We are never ready to lose another beloved member of the family.
Your poem is beautiful (and you’re keeping me busy with trying to keep up – which I am failing miserably at, as you can see!)
So glad you are enjoying Woo Young-woo, it’s read straight or flipped…. 😉
I’ll have to check out that math doc!
Thank you very much, Dale.
I appreciate your kind words and that you’re attempting to keep up. I don’t normally post every day–much less several times a day–because I know it gets annoying. This just seems to be a busy month for poetry!
That documentary is really good, and we are still enjoying Woo. We’re taking a break for a few days, but we’ll get back to it probably Tuesday night. 🙂
My pleasure, Merril.
I know… Because it’s you, I say nothing 😉
I tried to hold back on Woo… I really did.
I try not to post too much, but it happens. 🙂
Woo is great!
It does 🙂
And she is and so is Jung-ho and everyone else 🙂
Agree!
🙂