Watermark

Frost

Scattered Thoughts

I had a lovely old-woman weekend. I walked with the dogs in the snow; watched Shrek 2 on television, with many out-loud laughs; then As Time Goes By Reunion on PBS -- more subtle but just as fun. I never imagined a life in which television would be a welcome diversion.

The Republican congressman who resigned this week after confessing to evading taxes and soliciting and accepting bribes, said he learned in Vietnam that 'The true measure of a man is how he responds to adversity.' As I watch developments in Washington, with the CIA leak investigation, the Abramoff probes, Delay and Frist and on and on, I begin to suspect that the true measure of a person is how s/he responds to the acquisition of power.

Yesterday I set my coffee mug down, as I always do, on the table next to me -- except that I didn't. I released it too soon, and down it went on the wood floor. Often this clumsiness early in the day augurs ill, but not this time. The day passed well, and brought a friend with a homemade meal: chicken, salad, pasta, and pumpkin pie!

This morning, real snow, the kind that sticks and hides icy patches. A neighbor has already taken a fall. The dogs happily shovel their noses through it. A friend and her grandson come around the corner, holding hands; she elegant even in this weather, and he with that stiff-legged child-in-winter-clothing waddle. And a many-colored hat with a ball on top.

I dream that I am oddly blind -- if light is too intense, or too weak, I cannot see. I am driving, and as I pass through areas of changing light, I no longer see my way. I clench the steering wheel in terror. Then the light settles again, I can see, I am safe. And again. I never have an opportunity to pull off the road. I must continue on, blind or not. Even if I can't see my way.

Morning Crow

Reading for a Cold Afternoon

A review of Erin Noteboom's Seal up the Thunder, at prairiefire. Not as good as reading the book, which is a marvelous gift, but still:

Petition, dramatic monologue, Psalm, sonnet, call and response, riddle, gloss, free verse, and benediction--Erin Noteboom plunders biblical and modern lyrical styles for this original, joyous book. By turns mournful, oracular, incantatory, and funny, she is never smug or preachy. Rather, Seal up the Thunder is remarkable poetry on scripture, which recalls the sinuous, odd lyrics of Pier Giorgio Di Cicco. . .

Ron Silliman notices that most of his commenters are men, and many persons of both genders respond. I notice that I rarely comment there myself -- or on other poetics blogs. I do read them fairly often, and do some thinking about the ideas they discuss. But I find, generally, that I am less interested in poetics than in poems, and far less confident of my thinking than the men who comment.

From bhikku, 18th november 2005

Thoreau's Journal: 27-Nov-1857

Crawlspace, from Eeksy-Peeksy

This most excellent canopy, the air

I must have more energy . . .
. . . because I've washed my teapot

Aftershock

& we end, again, with Erin, because I'm in love with this piece: Manna

Oh, yes -- and a note to Sour Duck: I think that stumbling into their blogs cursing and exclaiming how well they write is a fine way to make blog buddies.

What Color is Watermark?

I suppose water would be considered blue:

Your Blog Should Be Blue

Your blog is a peaceful, calming force in the blogosphere. You tend to avoid conflict - you're more likely to share than rant. From your social causes to cute pet photos, your life is a (mostly) open book.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

Via Body and Soul, which is also blue, but has no cute pet photos.