There's new snow on the ground this morning. This afternoon, the rain is supposed to start, and the snow will be gone by nightfall. I'm right here by the window, laptop open, trusting the muse to find me. I'm four chapters in, y'all. Believe me, that is something.
In answer to a question we are all asking, what can we do, I saw this poem by poet Joseph Fasano, who I follow on Bluesky.
RUMI
In a dream I asked him
what can I do
if I can't change it
and he pointed
to the graves
and whispered
witness it
I love that poem and so true.
ReplyDeletePixie, it's something simple we can do in the meantime.
DeleteThat looks like a lovely outdoor space.
ReplyDeleteKristin, it is indeed quite lovely in a rustic overgrown way.
DeleteThank you for this. Witnessing is something everyone can do right here, right now. And have the courage to never stop asking, "What can I do?" Never forgetting the beauty that exists against all odds. Your books are witness to the beauty of human hearts that do what they can. What you do with your writing and in your family is something not everyone can do. You do it well.
ReplyDeleteam, thank you for these words. i try to remind myself that sowing love wherever we happen to be can only be a good thing, and never a wasted thing. love to you.
DeleteWhat a fine little yard. They can make it a lot of fun, for sure. And looking at the snow can be engaging, if you do not have to drive in it. I have to slither out in about half an hour and we are getting a fine dump. Ah well.
ReplyDeleteYour political mess seems to me close to insoluble unless the supporters of that disgusting man can be persuaded to leave him. Since the press is so very divided, that will be difficult indeed.
Up here, we are not divided. He cannot have Canada. Pointe finale, as I was taught in French class.
Mary G, he cannot have Canada, and I love the solidarity all the provinces are showing. It's all so much to keep track of here. And the press, I think they are already showing signs of being cowed.
DeleteWhat a lovely relaxing spot your daughter has there! Thank you for the thoughtful poem, Rosemarie. I have to check out Bluesky.
ReplyDeleteEllen, come find me on bluesky. My handle there is pattypan, which was my late father's nickname for me. I was hoping to channel his goodness and integrity in these times.
DeleteA beautiful poem but... will it help? I don't want to wait until I am looking at the graves. At least there are so many witness. The whole world is watching.
ReplyDeleteYes. A lovely little backyard space.
Ah Mary, there are already graves, far too many, here and in Gaza and elsewhere. Can witnessing stop there being more? I hope so, because I don't know yet what else to do.
DeleteA simple but powerful poem. I do hope America can change course before there are too many graves. Watching, with sorrow, from Scotland. Kathy
ReplyDeleteKathy, Scotland! I want to visit your homeland soon, though lately I've been feeling I need to just keep myself quiet at home. This is me, waving to you, glad you're here.
DeleteThat is such a beautiful backyard. It's perfect!
ReplyDeleteAllyson, they really lucked out! And their upstairs landlords seem to be congenial too.
DeleteI suspect a backyard like that in Brooklyn is a real treasure, Am I correct?
ReplyDeleteJim, a real treasure, especially for what they're paying. They lucked into lovely Canadian landlords who weren't so focused on how much they could get for the place, they just wanted good tenants.
DeleteThat's basically all we can do. the courts are holding firm but who is there to enforce the courts when Trump and Musk ignore the ruling s and do what they want anyway.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is lucky to have that sweet little patio and immediate access to the outdoors.
ellen, it seems the real resistance fighters right now are the courts of law, though there are protests everywhere daily, the press just isnt covering them much.
DeleteLove the photos and the yard is a treasure. I replied to your question on the previous post.
ReplyDeletee, i saw your reply, thank you! hope you're doing well.
DeleteWitness and remember and accept the consequences.
ReplyDeleteSabine, ah, the consequences. I find I am resisting the acceptance of those, though it may turn out I have no choice.
DeleteIt's always been the poets.
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, way up here in snowy Canada, I've been subbing in middle school for a week teaching students how to write news articles along with the history of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (which inspired various aspects of the US constitution). It helps me to see that my lessons are so relevant to help our youth to identify strategies to resolve conflicts plus the skills necessary to witness the truth and tell about it.
db think.stew
db, sadly I think the framers of the constitution never envisioned a legislator with no regard for the law, and now we are in a right pickle. I am glad your students have a teacher like you. You are making an investment in our shared future.
DeleteIt’s all so overwhelming. My congresswoman says lawsuits have been filed, but thus far he and his minions don’t care about what’s legal. It’s actually brought me to tears and I’m usually pretty stoic, Your daughter is indeed lucky to have some yard space!
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
Barbara, I am finding that I veer between disassociation and angry tears, and sometimes, there's real fear there, too. But we carry on. xor
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