Puddle Reflection, May 2020. Upside down world, fleeting or timeless?
And after,
do the birds still sing–
the bardo
in-between
past and future, everything
rippling, light circles
to before,
the after, before
time begins,
radiant
waves humming—the sound of dreams–
forever’s spindrift.
A shadorma sequence for Colleen’s challenge because she admired this photo I took during a morning walk when I got caught in the rain. The challenge theme is “the day after,” chosen by Elizabeth of Tea & Paper. Also, this is Colleen’s 175th poetry challenge!
It is a very good photo! And circles. (had to look up bardo). There’s something very calming about the patterning of circles, as if the puddle isn’t complete without them.
Thank you! I like that idea about the puddle not being complete without them. 😀
I think I learned the word “bardo” from a novel, Lincoln in the Bardo. Hahaha.
I read it was a sort of Limbo for Buddhists. I wonder if it has puddles?
I guess we won’t know, or maybe we will. 😏 Perhaps there are puddles there if you imagine there are.
Buddhists have good imaginations.
I guess so! 😀
This is amazing, Merril! You know the circles do represent the Bardo, the place “after.” Your poem was very moving. The past, present, and future converge into one life reborn. ❤️❤️❤️
Your comments on FB sent me off in that direction, so thank you. I’m pleased you liked the poem. ❤️
I cried, and even read this poem to my hubby. I’m silly that way. The photo would be amazing in a painting- an impressionist style. ❤️
Awww–thank you so much, Colleen. I’m truly touched by your response. 💕
And, I know these are difficult times for you. Sending love and hugs your way. ❤️
❤️❤️
I, too, had to look up the bardo and this poem reflects everything so beautifully.
Thank you so much, Dale! I just told Jane that I think I learned the word bardo from the novel “Lincoln in the Bardo.” 😀
And now we learned it because of you! 🙂
😀
🙂
Oooo, I like this rippling of before-after. Time so not logically sequential, in spite of all our clocks and schedules. Something always dropping into it, creating those ripples, disrupting our senses. A call to pause ourselves, write wonderful poems like this!
Thank you so much! That’s lovely.
I’m fascinated by time, but thinking about it also makes my head spin a bit. 😏
Such a moving poem, Merril. Beautiful! One of my favorites. ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Jill! ❤️
This is lovely! Photo and poem, both! 🙂
Thank you so much, Na’ama!
The circle is all about transition. The world reflected in itself…(k)
Yes, so true. Thank you, Kerfe.
I think that time is always beginning, whether birth or rebirth. A new start, yet still within the cycle.
Yes, I agree. Thank you, Ken.
I love this poem. Thank you.
Thank you so much!
This is lovely Merril thank you – time, never ending, circles no beginning
Thank you very much, Susan!
Well, I definitely felt I was going in circles with your poem … but in a good way 😉 The concept of time is fascinating. I do think of Time as “marching forward,” not giving a whit for how we perceive it. When he reflects upon past events, my husband feels unnerved by how quickly Time goes by while at the same time I feel it dragging as I anticipate changes in my future. And then there’s the deja vu, the sense of Time/history repeating itself, circling back. In one definition of bardo, I read, “liminal state between death and rebirth” (you know, liminal is one of Luanne’s favorite words). That’s appealing, the part about rebirth. Well, I’m digressing. Lovely poem, Merril, and the photo and poem are perfectly paired 🙂
Thank you so much!
Liminal is one of my favorite words, too. I like the blurred lines and the in-betweens.
I think time marches forward the way we perceive it here, but if we were in another universe, it might be different. And then if our universe began with the big bang, then what was before? Those are the things I wonder about. 😀 And of course, are there ghosts? 😏
Those are interesting things to think about. When my husband was spending most of his time photographing stars instead of insects, time was a big topic since we’re looking back in time when we’re looking at stars. Still makes my head spin just to think about it 😉 And, ghosts? Why not? 🙂
Why not indeed? 😀
Beautiful, Merril!
Thank you very much, Frank!
You gave me goosebumps with this one! ❤️
Well, that’s a good thing! Thank you!
A brilliant poem, Merril! Your photo is a great capture that pairs perfectly with your poem. Congratulations on being chosen “Poet of the Week” it’s well deserved. ❤ xo
Aww–thank you so much, Vashti! ❤️