A Poem For A Birthday

Dew Light
W.S. Merwin

Now in the blessed days of more and less
when the news about time is that each day
there is less of it I know none of that
as I walk through the early garden
only the day and I are here with no
before or after and the dew looks up
without a number or a present age

I don't know how to articulate how much I love Merwin's work (I guess the fact that we named the dog after him is a demonstration given how ridiculously loved the dog is). It is some of the first poetry I deeply admired, studied, and savored. Today is Merwin's 90th birthday and this poem has a beautiful simplicity that is amplified by that context of his aging. And perhaps even the age old "living in the moment" lens. Happy birthday, Merwin. I hope, from the little paradise of palms you have created in Hawaii, you know how much your work has helped your readers to understand the world, to feel, and to know beauty in words. 

Just A Little Moment

Morning reflection.

Discovering Yoga

Well, duh, you might say. As a former dancer and someone who knows many people who love the practice, embracing yoga seems like a no brainer. But it has taken quite some time to do so. My first memory of trying it out was a yoga on the beach class led by Janey. It was perfect in a way I knew I'd never find again. Subsequent attempts proved incredibly painful and I grew impatient with myself in classes. It hurt, I was too inflexible to even get close to the poses, everyone already seemed to know what they were doing, and exploring the various styles felt overwhelming. Plus, with the commute and limited "me" time, how was I going to fit it in?

Now there are no time constraint excuses and I decided to give it another try. My sister in law pointed me to Yoga Anytime, an online community of teachers and classes of all varieties and levels. I found a coupon code for a free month-long trial and took the plunge. The website has a seemingly endless supply of video led instruction and a handy search tool to find exactly what you're in the mood for. I'm sure I'm missing things by not having fellow students and a teacher alongside me, but being able to explore yoga comfortably at home has been amazing. I found an instructor I really like (thanks Linda!) and have been completing "flows" almost daily. It has been exciting for the poses to become easier and to slowly start to feel better. Less inflexible, less creaky, and little by little a bit stronger. I feel more centered and grounded after each session. Plus with the last couple days of beautiful weather, I've dragged the mat onto the deck and downward dogged with a fantastic view out over the lake. I only wish I had embraced it earlier! 

Two Days, Two Hikes

We finally bit the bullet and booked a trip to Argentina, an idea we've been tossing around for years but always hesitated to make happen. Along with stops in other parts of the country, we're spending a week in Southern Patagonia where vistas and natural delights are pretty much the main event. But to get the most out of it, we want to hike a bit. So we're "in training." I guess mostly I should say I'm in training. Simon's trained. In hopes of being a bit more prepared, on Saturday we hiked up Mount Major about 45 minutes away in Alton, NH. 

There were various ways up the mountain and after some reading we opted to ascend via the Southern Loop Trail, described as "moderately difficult" then take the easier trek down, partly because descents always seem to be trickier for my weak knee. This route would cover 5 miles and an elevation change of about 1,130 feet. This 1,130 foot ascent took place in the first 1.5 miles so it was a condensed (and intense!) period of steep climbing. There were some tricky sections, one where both the dog and I required a boost from Simon, but all in all it was manageable and so incredibly worth the huffing, puffing, and sweating. Outstanding views out over Winnepesaukee and the surrounds. Unreal.

On the way home, I mentioned to Simon how much I enjoyed the hike and how, in the research to find Mount Major, I had also come across a shorter trek near Province Lake, about 15 minutes from Round Pond. He took the hint and we decided to give that one a try on Sunday. While it was much shorter (1.8 miles total) it still covered about 700 feet in elevation change so was another endurance and climbing test. The trail was much narrower but also had some really lovely sections that wound through the forest and some soft pine needle parts of the trail that made for easier walking. And again, beautiful views from the summit, this time of the smaller Province Lake with the Ossipee Mountains in the distance.

All in all, it was reassuring to take these walks. I think with some more practice and some general work to build up endurance and strength, we'll be in good shape. Well, maybe just okay shape. Let's not look for a miracle here.

Nature Fiesta

I don't know if it's because the typical post-Labor Day exodus of humans around the lake made more space available for wildlife, but this past week was exceptional for creature viewing. Merwin chased a raccoon up a tree (and very nearly snagged a mouthful of fur), the bald eagle swooped in for a landing on one of our trees (I observed him from a few feet away, glimpsing the all-American splendor of an eagle pooping), the hummingbird nearly buzzed my face with his supersonic wings, and the loons have graced the lake and airwaves with their beauty more languidly and fully than when they were in competition with jetskis.

Naturally, I tried to capture all of this on camera. I was too awed by the eagle to reach for my phone, but I couldn't resist taking a snap of the poor raccoon clinging to the tree trunk. Combined with some truly spectacular sunsets over the past two weeks, this ease into fall isn't quite as challenging as it usually is. I suppose it helps that the words "The Nutcracker, "annual appeal," and "grant proposal" are no longer part of my daily vernacular. 

A Poem For A Friday

Turning
WS Merwin

Going too fast for myself I missed
more than I think I can remember

almost everything it seems sometimes
and yet there are chances that come back

that I did not notice when they stood
where I could have reached out and touched them

this morning the black shepherd dog
still young looking up and saying

Are you ready this time

How many times have you felt that? The all-consuming whirl of life and when you finally pause, you think, "What just happened? Where did all of that go?!" Like the narrator mentions, a few flitters of memory return every now and then, but more sift by than are captured. 

I love how this poem articulates that feeling. It begins rather generally and without much imagery with the narrator pondering the idea that his life has swirled by without him grasping those moments when they were available, tangible, and happening. Then suddenly it gets visual with the distinct image of a dog, a creature that is basically only capable of living in the moment, and his simple query. 

If only we got a do-over to relive those moments we missed when we were caught up and distracted. But maybe we do. Maybe every day is a do-over. Are you ready?