Monday Morning Musings:
What You Will, or What We Wish May Be
“A great while ago the world begun,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
But that’s all one, our play is done,
And we’ll strive to please you every day.”
—“The rain it raineth every day” from Twelfth Night by
William Shakespeare
What you will, or what we wish may be–
the rain it comes, and grass grows green,
the flowers bloom, and bees they feed
the songbirds sing and scatter seed
across the fields, from river to sea
random blossoms, a so-called weed,
yellow, brown, then green once more,
almost as it was before
but never quite. Perhaps you see
the endless blue, and wonder if or how
you fit as future flits. Is dawn preview
of what will come, or déja vu?
I’ve been here before, but can’t foresee–
only wish for what may be,
no Cassandra, no decree,
all is chance despite prayers or plea—
the storms come, the sun shines,
so laugh and drink the wine,
love fiercely while berries ripen and leaves fall,
in thrall of light, darkness comes to all
we say goodnight, and if nothing is as it seems,
it’s curse and comfort, that we dream.
We’ve had more sun than rain this week, though Saturday was rainy, and it was not a fun drive to the wine bar we visited with our daughter and son-in-law. We sampled a variety of wines and nibbled on cheese. I tried a Greek Xinomavro, a French Syrah, and a Barolo Nebbiolo, which my daughter thought should have aged more. Her Piedmont Nebbiolo seemed more complex, if not as full-bodied.
I took flatbread from the freezer and mixed-up toppings from what we had in the refrigerator for dinner that night—Gouda, red onion, and broccoli on one, garlicky mushrooms, goat cheese, and scallions on the other. Delicious!
Yesterday, we saw the Lantern Theater’s production of Twelfth Night, the subtitle is “or What you Will.” It was a wonderful performance in an intimate space with well performed musical numbers and well-acted comic performances. We walked around the city a bit first. (The garden wall guardian is for Kerfe. )
Next month we’ll be seeing another performance of Twelfth Night that will most likely be very different, but hopefully just as enjoyable.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I felt a distinct sense of rhythm in this poem. Even though I didn’t read it aloud, I felt the meter distinctly.
On another note: We have enjoyed cottage cheese with sliced avocado on toast, yummy and low-cal too.
Thank you, Marian. I’m pleased you felt the rhythm.
I’m not particularly fond of cottage cheese, but perhaps I’ll try it sometime. 🙂
A Fitbit app suggested the combination . . . no problem!
😊
Love these fresh musings to start the week on! Such lovely photos and reflective poetry.
That is so kind, Layla. Thank you very much!
Beautiful photos and lovely writing as always. Your daughter is your twin. You both have beautiful smiles.🥰
Thank you very much, Melissa! 🥰
You’re welcome.😊
I love the beautiful pics accompanying this writing 💙
Thank you so much! 💙
Life goes on. (You may have noticed a couple of your excellent photos have been repeated).
Thank you, Derrick. That is does.
Yes, I put two of the same photos in two places. WP was giving me problems, so I left it that way. 🙂
Wise decision
🙂
A wonderful Monday Musing, Merril! I love using flatbread to make homemade pizzas, too. A delightful weekend!
Thank you, Dale!
First I was going to make pizza dough, but I didn’t have mozzarella and other stuff, so this was a good way to use up stuff I did have.
Very good, I say!
😊
“love fiercely” should be the mantra to live this chancy life! Love your lyrical musings and glorious photos, Merril. ❤️
Also your flatbread looks yum! Twelfth Night is always enjoyable to watch.
Thank you so much, Punam! 💙
It’s funny, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen Twelfth Night performed before, so it’s funny we’ll be seeing it again next month.
You are welcome. 💙
I was in college in Calcutta (now Kolkata) when I watched two performances of Twelfth Night. One was by a British theatre company and the other by a local amateur theatre group, both were extremely good.
Oh, that sounds like fun!
Is your poem a particular form? It has a Shakespearean feel to it. I really, really like it.
Thank you so much, Liz! I think the first lines have a Shakespearean feel perhaps.
No, no particular form. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme, and there are other rhymes, but it’s inconsistent. All line 1 end words rhymed, till I got toward the end and forgot. A first draft. 🙂
You’re welcome, Merril. If the poem is a first draft, I think it’s well worth a polishing draft.
Thank you!
I think most of my blog poems are drafts, but not always first drafts. Some are more polished than others.
You’re welcome, Merril!
He looks right out of Shakespeare! Keep them coming…(K)
Thank you! 😊
Dreamy and divine Merril! The photographs are truly lovely – all of them.
Thank you so much, Susan!
I love this: “Is dawn preview
of what will come, or déja vu?” I love the question hanging there, tempting and teasing. Apparently, I shouldn’t read your Monday posts on an empty stomach. It started growling at the photos of your flatbread 😉
Thank you very much, Marie. I’m pleased you liked that question, and I have to say those thrown together flatbreads were SO delicious–especially the mushroom one.
My favorite meals are “thrown together” 😉
Well, really most of my meals are thrown together, but some more than others. 😂 I really only follow recipes for baking.
I love leftovers too … anything that reduces the time I have to cook 😉
😊
Beautiful poem! And as always, your food looks delicious! ❤
Thank you so much, Rachel.
I have to say, the flatbreads were delicious! 😋
Your musings felt most Shakespearean.
Thank you, Merril!
Clever post.
Thank you, Resa! 🙂