Monday Morning Musings:
Ephemeral Migrations
This sea of pink–
what does each falling petal think,
a life so brief—
the day washed clean, the scent of what if?
Each light beam paired with shadow,
the aroma of never-left drifts,
passed from stars to sea,
vagabond DNA searching endlessly.
We look to yesterday, we look to tomorrow,
there is no tomorrow, and the present can never be,
once there were giant geese that battled for their turf,
still the city sparrow struts, possessor of what he sees,
the universe we each create,
limited by our minds and senses—
what lies beyond the horizon?
A multi-verse of separate tales
connected by dust and water.
Truths revealed in fiction,
the mingling beyond mere mirroring–
the best like hard kernels within the popcorn,
rolled around in your mouth as you lick the salt,
and ponder what to do with it.
Do we become braver by necessity,
when the heroes with captains’ élan,
and Klingon swords do not appear?
Do we dare to dab on the war paint and enter the fray?
Another day, another shooting,
where do we go from here?
The clouds drift, the day transformed,
it ends with a blue-eyed smile,
fleeting as the moment–
now bats at sunset rise.
I used a few words from Kerfe’s Random words, and here are a couple of photos for the “mysterious K.”
We got out quite a bit this week. We enjoyed a beautiful summery day at William Heritage Winery, where we drank Syrah and ate a very early dinner of delicious flatbreads.
We saw two plays this week. August Wilson’s Radio Golf, the final play in his 10-play cycle set in Pittsburgh. It was an excellent production at the Arden Theatre. We were afraid of thunderstorms that day, but the rain mostly held off, just a brief downfall as we walked back to the Patco station after the play, which gave the air a fresh-washed scent. We saw a new play at the Wilma Theater, Eternal Life Part 1 by Nathan Alan Davis. We both liked this one so much. Whimsically surreal with talking snowflakes and a talking goose, it explores existential questions of life, death, consciousness, the climate crisis with humor and poignancy. We discussed both plays after, but this is the one that sticks in my mind.
Shows we’ve watched: We finished Transatlantic (Netflix) based on true events about Varian Fry and the Emergency Rescue Committee in Marseille before the US enters WWII. It might seem a bit too lighthearted, but it does bluntly lay out blame on the US and other countries who could have done more to stop Hitler and help refugees. We both enjoyed it (watch the ending credits for the episodes). Picard—if you’re a Next Generation fan, this is definitely one to see. This final season is so good! We started the last season of Mrs. Maisel, too. I was afraid I might be disappointed in it, and I purposely have not read anything about this final season, but I really enjoyed the first two episodes.
The book from last week–
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai is a multi-layered novel that covers #MeToo and collective memory. It takes on podcasts, including a “Serial”-type podcast, social media, and the repeated refrain of “the one about” in referring to cases of murdered young women. Makkai is an excellent writer. I really enjoyed this book.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
A full day of wonderful photos, food and poetic thoughts mingled with entertainments looks like fun to me. 🤩😍🤗💕✨
Thank you! Yes, a busy, but enjoyable week. 😊
I can see that spring green haze appearing in your photos now!
We can’t do anything about time except go with it, and try to make the future a bearable place to pass through.
Thank you. Yes, exactly right.
Right now it’s so beautiful here.
I can imagine (of course, I can) 🙂
And you have pictures, if you can’t!😀
Yes, I appreciate getting the details filled in 🙂
Haha! 🙂
Your photographs are spectacular, Merril. Exactly what I needed! xo
Thank you, Jill! 🙂
Beautiful 🌸💕🌸💕🌸
Thank you! 🌸
That sea of pink! Breathtaking! 🌸
Thank you so much, Ingrid! 🌸
You’ve outdone yourself with the photography today! Wow!!
Thank you so much, Liz! 😊
You’re welcome, Merril!
You did find the perfect building for me!
Your photos are full of tranquility. But every morning the news holds more to disturb. It’s hard to reconcile, but we must savor what we can. (K)
Thank you and you’re welcome!
When I saw that building, I told my husband that I had to take a picture for Kerfe.
Once you start looking for them they are everywhere.
So true!
I like this very much. There’s a sense of rambling (I mean that in a positive way!) and the cyclical nature of life (bats rise as the sun sets) and, if I interpret correctly, the peacefulness of the day interrupted by a (mass?) shooting… the news item we see so often to our horror. Monday musings, indeed. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Steve. I appreciate your close reading.
It’s seems like there is daily horror and the erosion of democracy, and then there are the mass shootings there are becoming commonplace. But spring is still beautiful.
You’re so welcome, Merril. Yes I agree re: the daily news and, to me, that really underscores the need for beauty in the world. Your words add much to that!
Thank you very much–again! 🙂
My pleasure—again! 🙂
What lovely photos and since sparrows have all but disappeared from my city, I love that photo particularly. Your poetic musings were much food for thought.
Thank you very much, Punam! I’m pleased I made you think and glad I included the sparrow. 💙