
Ripples and reflections on the Delaware River at Red Bank Battlefield. Driftwood on the beach. ©️Merril D. Smith, 2020
Monday Morning Musings:
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
–Roald Dahl
There’s magic in a flower that suddenly appears
unplanted by a human hand,

This just appeared one day in our garden one day.
standing alone or scattered
to glow, new stars, comets, meteorites that fall
leaving their imprint for a brief moment
before floating away

Delaware River at West Deptford, NJ, August 2020 ©️Merril D. Smith
on river currents, secrets of time and ghost whispers drift
on ripples

A stone toss ripple in the Delaware River. ©️Merril D. Smith 2020
endless and infinite–
light that is always there–
even if we don’t see it,
like the magic of a flower,
the evanescence of a puddle,
a world existing in a moment—

Puddle Reflection
clouds part and merge again
grey becomes blue becomes grey

Water Lilies and reflections at rain garden at West Deptford Public Library ©️Merril D. Smith 2020
a mosquito strafes your face, a lone bomber
soon joined by a squadron,
the secret out in the open and not pleasant—
but magic moments
that you stumble upon,
like a secret path
those are wondrous, grace-filled seconds–
blink and you miss the magic,

Deer Family at Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ
but it will come again,
perhaps when you least expect it.
Merril’s Movie Club: We watched the movie Dear Ex (Netflix). It’s a 2018 Taiwanese movie, a domestic comedy-drama about a young man whose deceased father left his insurance benefits to his male lover. I’d give it 3 stars. It was sweet and poignant, once you get to the backstory that explains more about the characters and the secrets they kept or didn’t know about. My dad would have been 101 yesterday. I’m sure he had some secrets that we’ll never know. He did love Chinese food though, so it seems appropriate that we ate it on his birthday eve.
We’re on Season Three of Bordertown. It’s also on Netflix. My husband and I are both really enjoying this show, and we will miss these characters once we’ve finished it. There are the usual gruesome murders and cases (but the show is good at not showing the gore or graphic violence), but we come to really care about Kari Sorjonen and his family and colleagues.
beauty everywhere 🙂 always a delight thanks Merril .. 🙂
Thank you very much, Susan!
I love that you take the time to soak in all of the beauty that surrounds your area, Merril. I enjoyed your musings and the photographs!
Thank you very much, Jill.
It’s one reason why I like to walk–and I never put on headphones. (I do my running inside, listening to podcasts.)
I knew you were smart! 🙂
🤣
Beautifully crafted!
Thank you so much!
Magic beautifully revealed. I’m going to have a look for Bordertown.
Thank you very much, Derrick.
Let me know if you find it (and like it). 😀
Brilliant recommendation. Just watched first two episodes 🙂
Yay! And it gets better because you get involved with the characters.
🙂
I so love Mondays… This was definitely a magical post.
And I learned a new word! I have to remember “strafe”! I laughed when I read that part because that is exactly how I felt the other night when I went for my after-work swim and sat outside drying off… being completely strafed by a platoon!
Have a fabulous day, Merril!
Thank you so much, Dale. Your comment made my day! 😀
Woo hoo!
Nature certainly fuels your poetry, Merril. By the way, I just ordered a copy of Black Bough Poetry.
Thank you very much, Marian. The walks are keeping me sane and grounded. 😏
I hope you enjoy the Deep Time issue. A second volume should be coming out soon.
The world is a magical place. Your words and photos add to the magic. Thank you for that.
What a lovely comment, Cheryl! Thank you very much!
More wonderful photos…you know I love the water lilies and the water reflections. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe. You know I do, too.😀
I know just what you mean about those moments of magic. Appreciating them is one of life’s little pleasures. I’ve been struck by the color of the Delaware River and how the light plays off it in the photographs you’ve been posting. It almost has pinkish undertones.
Thank you very much, Liz. Yes, life’s little pleasures indeed.
Thank you for noticing the photos. I enjoy the light, too. I think it’s the reflection of sun and clouds on the water. That’s why if often looks very blue, too. Perhaps the pink is also from shallow water with the sand and rocks beneath?
You’re welcome, Merril. Looking at your photos makes me want to see your area of the river in person.
Maybe some day! Last year I had photos from the Philadelphia side, too–and also the Schuylkill River–but we haven’t been there to walk around since February.
Beautiful! We miss so much if we are not looking for the wonder that is all around us. You capture it here in all the blinking confusion of the world; we can only appreciate life when we are aware, moment by moment.
Thank you so much for your lovely commen!
Without magic, the world would be colorless and dull. Ahhh, the magic all around us is …. magical. Thanks for your lovely musing…. xo
Thank you very much, Pam! ❤️
❤