Monday Morning Musings:
Long Winter Dreams
The sun is a specter,
a pale wraith without
the heat of its golden youth,
its white-bearded head haloed
with wreathes of clouds
that feather
the skeletons of trees
backlit on the winter stage,
waiting for spring’s curtain call.
Now we remember summer
in our wine, and gather light around us,
echo ancient tales in newer versions
like sundial to clock
hours that pass and return
differently and the same,
like families, love,
and the river’s flow.
And so, it goes. The food, wine, sweets,
the hugs and kisses, the putting on of hats
and coats, the remembering of ghosts of before
and after
in our long, winter dreams,
the fiddler turns notes into stars—
and diamond glitter falls
so that we shine. Each of us, all.
Not much outdoor walking this past week with the recent weather. We did get to celebrate with family, and even though older child and their wife’s train was first cancelled and then the rebooked one had several delays, they eventually made it here. I hope all of you are safe and warm.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I absolutely love this poem. and your pics )
Oh, Beth! Thank you so much! 💙
‘Now we remember summer in our wine’
That just about sums it up. I can see you had fun!
Thank you! Yes, some busy days, but fun. Still visiting with family. 💙
We have the youngest until after the new Year and second daughter next weekend too.
Oh, lovely! Enjoy!
She’s still got a cold or something, and most of the others have flu-like symptoms. We oldies are fine though 🙂
Oh no! I hope they all feel better soon, and that you don’t get it. There are so many respiratory things going around now here, in addition to COVID.
Two of them will be back next weekend. One still has a cough and second daughter is the last one at her work not to have gone down with the covid that’s circulating. I’m hoping that she’ll know if she’s caught it from the one who went off sick today, before she sets off for our place on Saturday.
Oh dear. Yes, she shouldn’t come if she’s sick. Does she have access to home tests? Not that they’re always accurate, but it’s something.
She won’t come if she feels bad. The home tests seem not to pick up the newest variants of covid, not until after a couple of days. The fourth child had three covid tests come back negative and the doctor said that didn’t necessarily mean she didn’t have it.
Yes, they don’t seem too reliable. The new instructions all say you have to take several. I guess if you do get a positive though, then you do have it.
Our children just keep out of our way if they feel they have anything at all. It’s easier than keeping doing tests.
Yes, that’s good. If our kids were sick they wouldn’t come either.
🙂
Everything, falls into, that, temporary, state of, dormancy, until the springtime, then, it all, awakens, again…
Yes, exactly. Thank you.
The following stanza resonated very strongly with me. It perfectly captures the feelings of family holiday in just four lines:
And so, it goes. The food, wine, sweets,
the hugs and kisses, the putting on of hats
and coats, the remembering of ghosts of before
and after
Thank you so much, Liz.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday–and the power stayed on for the rest of it.
You’re welcome, Merril. Yes, to wonderful holiday and power!
❤️
What a wonderful poem. I’m with Liz!
Happy holidays and after-holidays!
Thank you so much, Dale.
And the same to you!
My pleasure and thank you 🙂
🙂
Simply gorgeous Merril! Photos are precious as are the words. And so it goes – keep warm and safe.
Thank you so much, Susan.
I just saw the beautiful photo of your family in your summery holiday clothing. 😊
Beautiful, Merril! I loved the photos of your family. I’m glad you had a nice holiday.
Thank you very much, Jill!
I did have a lovely–but crazy– holiday. Still celebrating. 😏
I hope you did, as well.
Lovely poem and delightful photographs
Thank you so much, Derrick!
During the holiday, our family also celebrated with food and gifts and cheer but also “remembering ghosts,” and feeling the diamond glitter of love. BEAUTIFUL, Merril. And joyful photos. Happy New Year!
Thank you very much, Pam. I’m glad you got to celebrate with your family.
Happy New Year to you! 💙
Wonderful fun photos! Wishing you all the best for 2023!
Thank you so much, and the same to you!
That image of remembering summer in our wine is really staying with me! One more day (after today) of this nonsense called 2022!
Thank you so much, Luanne. I’m pleased that image is staying with you.
Yes, this has been quite a year, hasn’t it? What a seesaw!
Horrible year for me other than my daughter’s wedding.
And a new book!
Yes, and that!
😊
A warm and wonderful post filled with love and family.
I’m so happy for you and yours, Merril.
I’m also a fortunate daughter and wife. (no children).
I want to send, as minuscule though it may be, thoughts of hope & love to the people of Ukraine!!!!
I also send the worst of all 💩 to pootin.
Thank you very much, Resa. Yes, all good things to the people of Ukraine, and to you and yours!
Didn’t work. I’m back in the reader.
‘we remember summer in our wine’
I remember picking out that line. It’s such a good one.
Thank you for trying again!
And thank you for the comment. 💙
I left a comment via the reader for yesterday’s post too, but it doesn’t appear. Those photos are lovely, and the river and sky really do look rinsed clean and cold.
Thank you –and thank you for trying.
I hope WP will allow you back.
I’m not holding my breath.