Ich liebe meines Wesens Dunkelstunden
I love the dark hours of my being.
My mind deepens into them.
There I can find, as in old letters,
the days of my life, already lived,
and held like a legend, and understood.
Then the knowing comes: I can open
to another life that's wide and timeless.
So I am sometimes like a tree
rustling over a gravesite
and making real the dream
of the one its living roots
embrace:
a dream once lost
among sorrows and songs.
Rilke
It's late. It's my birthday. J.D. is playing Civilization. He's the Japanese, and he just started researching The Manhattan Project in Nagasaki, rather a disturbing piece of irony. We're going to witness --- scratch that--- I'm going to witness the disappearing hour of my birthday. (I just told J.D. that in 15 minutes it will be 3:00 a.m., and he instantly disappeared to bed. World domination will have to wait for a more decent hour). Funny. Well, perhaps I should wrap things up. It's been a good day so far. Joy wished me happy birthday. J.D. brought me a tiny cupcake with a candle. We watched Persepolis. We got fast food; I wore a t-shirt with holes, pants with bleach discolorations, and the beautiful little necklace my brother gave me. The weather here is calm and lovely. We waited with the windows down and felt the warm night air. In the morning I think I'll straighten house and listen to Speaking of Faith. I have a HUGE scrapbooking mess to clean up. J.D. needs to go into work for a couple of hours too. Then maybe we'll wander off to the Botanical Garden to see those orchids I've been imagining.
Until Daylight then.
5 comments:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAMMY!!!!!!
Happy happy birthday. It hasn't even been such a terrible DST. Best of luck this glorious year. Isn't it nice to be all 30+, grown-up, getting wiser, calmer ... life is good! Love your blog, love to share in your life in a tiny way and so appreciate your always kind words at my place. CHEERS!
Here is a poem I found that reminds me of you. I hope you like it. Happy birthday to my dear friend:
Desiderata — A Poem for a Way of Life
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater
and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let not this blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees & stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not is is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
--Max Ehrmann,
Thanks Catherine, that was beautiful. I really appreciate it and will read that poem often.
How did the cupcakes turn out?
Brandy, Thanks for the Birthday wishes! Life is indeed good.
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