Sun bathes the sea
in morning ritual,
the legacy of life
continuing over time,
yet what we leave behind
like summer grass,
here then gone
in quicksilver moments.
The calculus of memory
grows and hardens
while the heart struggles
to send its charge
to muscle and bone.
Grave clothes comfort,
the coffin fit snug,
but life has more in mind
as sunlight calls on the water,
inviting the heart to open
and shatter the chrysalis
of the second-hand store.
We’re not designed for the grave
though indeed that time will come.
We’re here to sing our music,
voices drunk on the ripe wine
of many years passing
quick as the heartbeat of a bird.
photograph by Lindsey Jane Roby
Reading of “Quick the Heartbeat” with music by Maryliz Smith
YES! 🌈🙏❤️🎶
So fine, Don — Thank you.
That’s a big part of our job now, I think — to sing our music and savor the ripe wine of many years passing, celebrating life no longer taken for granted. What a gift!
Yes, Don, together we’re here to sing seasonal songs celestial!
“ of many years passing/ quick as the heartbeat of a bird”
Don: a fine line like many you compose.
Very nice, Don!
We definitely are here to sing our music!!!!!!
All this in a moment! Such is life
Don, you wrap it up very well. Thank you.
Such a perfect pairing of words, music, and visual…deep and intimate. Love your work Don
So much is seen and felt in any given moment. ” The Calculus of memory grows and hardens.” Go figure or not. Stay open to continual change, which is the study of Calculus. Thanks Don for the gift of your vintage wine. Ed
Today is one year exactly from my heart attack. I am 61, and perhaps just barely in the club of knowing what your last 4 lines mean. There is good company here in this club.
Great choice of music and image to accompany your meditative words, Don. There is that which continues, eternal, and that which passes like so many falling stars, breathtaking moments to welcome and release. I would embrace it all! Ronnie
Life has more in mind … We’re not designed for the grave
It is good to release these bold words Don, and sing our music as part of the vast Cosmic Choir. This poem and these voices raised are clearly of this lineage and legacy
Quicken the heartbeat
Quicken the Life force
Quicken vitality
Quicken Vintage Unity
So lovely, Don. And the music resonates wonderfully.
Multi-dimensional beauty.