Margaret Simon hosts our Poetry Friday today at her blog, Reflections On The Teche! She's sharing beautiful "nestlings" written herself and her students. Thanks, Margaret!
I received more wonderful postcard messages this week and I will share them next time. Thanks ahead of time to Kimberly Hutmacher, Jone Rush MacCulloch, Michelle Kogan, and Diane Mayr.
Yet this week brought angst and (thank goodness) some relief. I am ready for new days with some good news. It's not easy trying to be positive. In other times of great turmoil, I find I cling to one thing, action as best I can help. I follow Tolkien's words he gave to Gandalf, who then gave them to Frodo: "I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
And thus I make those decisions. Best wishes to all of you, however you are managing these past weeks, months, of our lives, of our country's life.
Here is my response late on Wednesday, January 13th, to those who help and those who threaten our nation.
Linda, there is truth in this quote: "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” It is so difficult to see the strife in Washington. Sadness all around. I watched some of the impeachment trial and could not believe that so many did not vote for impeachment. When I look back on the words said and actions taken, I am saddened. Your poem is so on target. May we find balance in the next few days. Stay well and positive.
ReplyDeleteSuch wisdom and truth from Gandalf; no wonder these words stay fresh and at the forefront during these days, these times, in which we live. "Woe the afterthought"... seems when vision is narrowed, foresight is lost, and what remains is woeful, indeed. Such power you pack in these few lines. Such a peaceful photo, Linda - can't help noticing the red, white and blue.
ReplyDeleteI also love Gandalf's words. I also find the word comity important and long for a friendly social atmosphere in America that includes everyone.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this thoughtful post, Linda. I went looking for a definition of comity and, ironically, this is what I found:
ReplyDelete2. courtesy and considerate behavior toward others.
"a show of public comity in the White House"
It's so hard to know what to do, how to respond, or not. Your poem "woe the afterthought" grabbed me. I wonder when watching the video footage, over and over as the news endlessly plays on repeat, if the terrorists feel regret. Is there any comity to be found?
ReplyDeleteWoe. This is a perfect word....woe as in consider this heavy thing. This is a matter of deep importance to life. And, I would add liberty and the pursuit of happiness in our nation. I am tired from the cumulation of attacks on our civility, our democratic ideals and our government. I look forward to next week knowing that it's not the total solution but the beginning. I aim to be very much a part of the solution.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking hard about that first line. Is the afterthought one of woe? One that causes woe? Or is it more of a woe BETIDE the afterthought? No matter which, I agree (but am not surprised) that the "official" response to the riots was terribly botched and badly messaged.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you all whose thoughts help me work out my own during this anxious time. I hope that the next months will bring some order to our world.
ReplyDeleteDeciding what to do with the times given us... yes, even when we feel powerless, we do have the power to make those small decisions... to write poetry, take walks, create and share joy. Thank you, Linda! xo
ReplyDeleteYes and yes to Gandalf's wise words. What will we do with the time we are given. I can sympathize with those who say, "I'm tired of living through such historic moments." It is exhausting, yet here we are, and what will we do? Your few words help me with the unease I've felt at the quick calls for unity. Why aren't more people calling, ENOUGH? I am grateful for poetry and writing to help me process all that we are going through, and a community to share thoughts with.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts about this difficult and discouraging time. As others have mentioned already--Gandalf's words are very helpful. I think I'll write them down so I can see them often.
ReplyDeleteAnd your poem captures so much of both this past weeks events and the question of what to do about them in its few words.
I am grateful to have heard from you, too, Irene, Kay, & Susan and that you connected to Gandalf's words, too. Being that Tolkien wrote much of these books during World War II, it feels as if we can take them into our own crisis of this new decade for comfort that others have survived. It feels good to know.
ReplyDeleteYou summed the week up well in your poem Linda. This might sound too simple to say, but life's just too short for all us to not try to generate more comity from this moment forward. Whatever small gesture we need to try… Gorgeous image your poem is nesting in, it carries me away, thanks.
ReplyDeleteYour action and your kindness are inspiring. <3
ReplyDeleteI've always loved that Gandalf quote. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Linda.
ReplyDelete"Woe, the afterthought," indeed. I know how difficult positivity can be, Linda - hang in there and know we're all with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, too, Michelle, Ruth, Laura & Matt. Wishing you and all of us a safe week and one of celebration, too!
ReplyDelete