1
I see a stretch of time
the sword that will cut it to pieces
each piece flies and scatters
over forests, villages, rivers
I stand there
on the mountain top wondering
how I can chase each piece
2
Flowers , like orchids or primproses,
grow side by side in the garden
at certain times
cross its other’s river of consciousness
bees attracted by colors seen or unseen
eavesdrop, carry their conversations away.
note: I walked to the river yesterday and colored my day with flowers.
I must start somewhere for leisure or misfortune:
A palm tree outside our door, well spread leaves like wings
I walk with my walking stick to the river in pleasant weather
My balance mildly affected after I contracted long term covid
I slow my walk wary of obstacles, tiny and not always obvious
not evading the voice of reason: “Look and listen.”
I’m not anxious or scared.
I’m not hearing a chorus of voices.
I accept willingly the circumtances
like being aware of bones when eating a whole fish,
not fillet but a whole fish with improved flavor and texture.
–
A flower bud sprouting along the path
brings desirable pleasure when walking
or a startled bird or a squirrel that looks perplexed
looking one way or another way, leaving
the tree branches quiverring.
–
Or a starting ipoint can be my neighbor
who greets me a good day expression
and telling me, today is a day to rejoice,
to celebrate his friend’s arrival.
They met in college, she says.
They plant tulips at the same time
every year in their own gardens
music they share of different tastes
but Beethoven they both adore.
–
I have to say goodbye to my friendly neighbor
not every morning starts with a dissertation
though without mention of life’s calamities or extravagance
either of the river or at sea.
The books I’m reading: Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff, The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe and The Science of Learning Physics by Jose P. Mestre and Jennifer L. Docktor
A girl stands on skateboard on her left foot,
right foot pushing against the road intermittently,
lifts her foot settles it next to her left foot
and coast for a good distance
before she repeats the motion again,
headphones over her ears
enjoying music or a podcast.
Is she ready to disturb the universe
or preparing?
I continue my walk to the.river
the white egret May return.
On my walk home
I’m thinking of five butterflies
I saw along the river
the wings are pale
not like sunrise or sunset.
Above me in the trees small birds are talking,
on my right, a commotion,
a squirrel stops to glance at me
then runs away.
Books I am reading: The Book of Nature by Barbary Mahany
and The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmarrk
Walking to the river
I met many women walkers today
in twos, in threes
walking a dog,
walking a stroller
walking with a walker
I heard conversations
words I could not understand
I passed by an adult retirement home
glanced at people playing bocce
The sun was higher now
almost home
In crossing a street
my shoe stubbed the edge,
Like a lightning, I hydroplaned
on a concrete walkway,
For a moment I could not believe
it happened
large bruises on my knees,
palms of my hand
my stick laying in front of me,
my eyeglasses, intact
my bones, none were broken
A car stopped,
a lady driver got out, offered
to help me. I thanked her
I stood up on my own.
I arrived home to attend
to my wounds.
I was full of gratitude.
An extraordinary day
The books I am currently reading: Middlemarch by George Eliot and The Artist’s Journey by Marcia Shaver.
“Grief isn’t meant to be silenced, to live in the body and be carried alone.”
-Suleika Jaouad
Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of Life Interrupted
note: I finished reading Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad.
Books I am reading: War and Peace, Matrix by Lauren Groff, The Life of Elves by Muriel Barbery and The best American Poetry 2021, Tracy K.Smith, guest editor and David Lehman, series editor.
It’s becoming clearer and clearer to me that I need to leave the familiar, but I don’t want to do it entirely alone-I want to seek others who can offer perspective into my predicament, who can help guide my passage.”
-Suleika Jaouad, Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted
note: The book I finished reading, The Salt Path by Raynor Winn. It’s a story of loss and redemption, courage and perseverance, humain frailties, survival and acts of kindness. It’s a love story. An inspirational story.
We are surrounded by wild fires for several days started by thousands of lightning strikes. Air quality was poor for a few days because of the smoke.
I have been walking every day since Saturday except yesterday.
I am happy to see the heron is back.
Note: Books I finished reading: Bell by Iris Murdoch and Dante’s Divine Comedy (Inferno) translated by Hollander and Hollander.
I captured the flower moon last night with plain sky. I did not have any plant or tree or other backgrounds to align the moon. I’m sorry for the just the black sky and the moon.
The book I’m re-reading: The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus.
I have a mountain of books to read
Books are scattered everywhere in the house
I will call and ask you where to start reading
The garage is full of non-essentials
My hours need occupants
On most days I walk in the neighborhood.
Now is the time that I should go deeper in my learning
Not my usual ordinary way to please myself.
It’s sad to realize it takes a pandemic to wake me up.
Time is emptying like food on the shelves.
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