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| The Oculus, New York City, early 2020. |
I boldly proclaimed last year that I would stop dwelling on the past -- and I've profoundly failed at this.
One pre-pandemic New Year's resolution was that I wouldn't post as many memorial tributes here or be so self-absorbed about the past.
I do try to keep my family out of the things I post, primarily to protect their privacy. Well, except for Mom. She likes when I post about her. 😊
But the simple fact is: It's hard to write about the living.
If binge-watching "The Good Place" (highly recommended) while staying at home during a pandemic taught me anything in 2020, it was that people change and grow. My perception is unfair to the reality of anyone I would write about.
I recently accepted a Facebook friend request from someone who has lived in Mom's neighborhood for many years. The next day Facebook suggested a friend of my new friend as a connection for me. It was someone who had bullied me in grade school. I didn't accept the recommendation, but I looked at the bully's profile. It seems he's had a good life.
So what do I know? People don't ever stay the same. Only words on a page are immutable.
I find that immensely comforting.
Here are my words: Attached here is a collection of my poetry over the past year. It's titled "Greetings From 2020," a collection of nine (mostly wistful) poems, illustrated by my photos. Below is a recent sample, "The Mystery of 3."
So what do I know? People don't ever stay the same. Only words on a page are immutable.
I find that immensely comforting.
Here are my words: Attached here is a collection of my poetry over the past year. It's titled "Greetings From 2020," a collection of nine (mostly wistful) poems, illustrated by my photos. Below is a recent sample, "The Mystery of 3."
It's something different from me anyway. I hope you enjoy it -- and forgive my Monty Python reference in the title of this post.
I'm feeling inspired today. My hovercraft is full of eels.
---------
The Mystery of 3
In New York,
everyone pairs off
in threes.
I have evidence of this.
Exhibit A: The Oculus' random crowd.
Look closely.
Three shoppers,
a couple with a baby carriage,
a man rushing to join friends.
What is this magnetic pull?
The sturdy balance of a three-legged stool?
Or merely the nature of things?
Confirmation
that no one has
one true love.
1 comment:
Bob
Reading your words and looking at your interesting photos bring a smile to my face. I will never forget, and cherish, our years of working together..... usually in an efficient and collaborative manner.
Kevin T
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