Monday Morning Musings:
October Bright and Yearning
1.
The wind thrusts open the curtains of rain
now the understudy enters, so nervous
he chokes when it’s time to speak,
Then the sun steps in with fierce-rayed concentration
the star, he commands attention.
2.
Ruthless questions—
reflect, refute if you can, why we treasure armies
and the damage that they do—
ghosts wander over blood-soaked ground,
mothers remember.
3.
Knotty letters swim to the surface
we catch them with hooks,
straighten them with poetic authority
toss back the redundant,
bind the true.
4.
Thoughtful threads converge,
sparkling stars,
moons, and planets
statements and questions,
circle like satellites in infinity.
5.
Now we gather, spicy, salty, sweet—
daughters, granddaughters, offspring
the past topples into now
without a break—almost accidental–
we let the birds fly free.
This and That:
This may not be a true cadralor, but then something similar from Jane’s words from Oracle II. Our older child is visiting. Their visit coincided with a Zoom memorial Saturday evening for my mom’s cousin who died recently. Then my two children spent some time together.
There is a definite feel and look of autumn now. This past week, as people are actively seeking to destroy my country and democracies everywhere, and death seems all around, the birds have been putting on shows. I know this is a migratory period, so perhaps that’s the reason, but after days of rain, the sun finally came out, and the sky was a deep, perfect blue. Vultures danced in the sky, while mockingbirds, cardinals, sparrows, and other birds sang from trees, poles, and bushes.
The park by the river where I often walk is the site of an American Revolutionary War battle. It was fought in October 1777, and in a couple of weeks, they’ll have the annual reenactment event there.
Last night, my husband and I watched Catherine, Called Birdy. I can’t get away from birds! 🙂
It’s a delightful movie, and just what I needed to see. Even the closing credits are fun.
(In contrast, I would not recommend the Norwegian horror film, The Innocents. Hidden within it, is a film of forging bonds between children and siblings. I like that part, and the young actors are all excellent. BUT, the movie is very disturbing—and includes scenes of animal cruelty, as well as cruelty against humans.) And we’re still watching The Extraordinary Attorney Woo on Netflix. It’s so good.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I love #5, particularly “the past topples into now /
without a break.” Such s great line!
Thank you very much, Liz! 😊
You’re welcome, Merril!
You are looking inward, outward, and UP, Up with poetry full of imagery and emotion. Thank you, Merril!
Thank you very much, Marian. That’s so very kind. 😊
Lovely musings today, Merril. When I saw the vultures on IG, I thought they were dancing, too! Beautiful photos!
Thank you so much, Jill. You’d laugh seeing me gazing up at them. 🤣
I’m sure I would! This evening I had to rescue Donald from a huge hawk that came after her while we were feeding her. She was so scared. I chased the hawk like a crazy person!😝Hopefully the neighbors didn’t see me.😉
Wow–She seems so big for a hawk to go after. A hawk swooped right past me while chasing a squirrel the other day. And even though I like hawks, I was happy the squirrel got away. I wouldn’t want one to get Donald!
Thanks exactly what we thought, Merril. The hawk was huge, but I think his aspirations were a little high. 🙂 Derek thought maybe it was just harassing Donald. Her feather’s were standing on ends and she was whimpering, I wanted to bring her inside! We love to see hawks, but don’t mess with our Donald!
💙💙
What glorious skies to offset the dark political ones. I like especially the threads of #4. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe. Yes, such vivid, glorious blues. And your questions. 🙂
War was bound to come out of that word selection, but you found fish too (I love your stanza 3) and the Oracle knew you had family visiting 🙂
Thank you!
The fish just slipped in. 🙂 Maybe because I was watching the heron fish the other day.
The Oracle knows everything!
She misses nothing 🙂
So true!
Powerful poetry and exhilarating bird photos
Thank you very much, Derrick!
Wonderful write ✍🧡🍂🍁
It is beautiful to see your magical autumn images which have obviously inspired a reflective mood in your writing-lovely, Merril!
Thank you very much, Ingrid! 😊
A feast of beautiful photos, and platter of poetic pastries.
I guess the 5 pastries are the cadralor. Very nice.
I watched the Jan. 6 Committee hearing today. trump needs to go to jail. He broke the very bonds of freedoms that were fought for, in the American Revolutionary War battle site you live by.
Thank you, Resa.
Yes, I watched the hearing this afternoon, too. It was terrifying to watch that footage, and know that there are still people who support him and the Big Lie.
He(trump) must have sold his soul to the devil. What a mess he’s made!
But he could not have gotten anywhere if people didn’t support him. I mean important political and financial backers as well as ordinary cult members. And all those GOP members who refused to convict him when he was impeached, despite all the evidence.
It’s so harsh! There are many things that feel not right…. backwards in America right now.
Yes, we’re definitely turning backwards.
That’s scary! Canada is quite influenced by the USA. Hopefully we don’t follow this trend.
Yes, it seems like you are getting some of those right-wing crazies, too.
It’s heartbreaking. The crazies don’t know what they are doing. Or do they? I hadn’t given them much credit in the wisdom arena.
Hopefully the left will win another term, next election. Trudeau might be sick of the whole deal. I don’t blame him. He’s dumped on by the right 24/7.
If he doesn’t run, I’m all in for our Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister. She’s amazing, smart as a whip, tough as nails and would be our first elected female to the office.
I hope she wins! And the crazies are defeated!