I am touched by that final line of notes reflecting on the best-laid schemes of the squirrel: "...nature will remember you." In a way, you've neatly and succinctly summed up the process and goal at which all writers and poets and creatives aim--to do our best at what we do, and ultimately not to be forgotten.
I’m thinking of that squirrel. It’s believed that they can anticipate the future, at least as the availability of food is concerned. And they may be able to dream for brief times during hibernation.
What was that squirrel thinking as it froze? Was he (let’s say it was a he) thinking or dreaming? Did he know he was dying? Could he feel that he was freezing? Did all his seeds and nuts and hiding places flash before his closed eyes?
Do squirrels have vivid dreams? Was he aware that he was dying as he was dreaming? Did it occur to him , in a sudden flash of realisation, that he couldn’t take it with him?
I feel this! I am a bear waking up so slowly at the moment. The older I get the more hibernation seems like the only way to live and the waking seems a bit harder!
Perhaps in the old days hibernation was reading books by candlelight and now it is watching netflix?? More detrimental to the creative soul I feel. I shall plunge once again into the cold sea and wake myself from this winter of discontent 😂
I feel this in my bones! I have problem with transitions as well (I tend to get sick when the seasons change and daylight savings throws me for a loop)
I've been doing some writing about spring as well and I very much resonate with your squirrel this year.
Beautiful and touching as always, Franco :) "If you did your best and stayed true to yourself, then nature will remember you." It's very nice to hear :)
For someone who thinks all the time (probably far too much) I don't reflect on transitions. I tend to drift and allow the "forces" to propel me forward. This isn't a perfect method nor one I've perfected but it seems to suit me. I think the squirrel did its best. Made plans, took stock, and with all of that still fell short - it happens. To all of us. We reach for the future as if we know what it will be and then it changes as our hand is about to touch it. Do we withdraw and try again later - or just embrace whatever is there? All interesting thoughts. Thanks for the nudge, Franco.
thank you for your thoughts, Joe. I like how you word it—that it changes in our hand as we're about to touch it. So very true. I appreciate your commentary, brother.
Dude, you must be a masochist. This one was good. I like the slower pace, so much of your work lately has been quickfire in its tempo, this one is slowing down and reflecting. Just as one should do at the end of winter. Kind of a hopeless ending though. It the lowest ever seen, like hitting rock bottom.
The price we pay for being children of chance, born of a billion bright improbabilities that prevailed over the staggering odds of nothingness and eternal night, is the admission of our total cosmic helplessness.
Because our locus of choice is so narrow against the immensity of chance, nothing haunts human life more than the consequences of our choices, nothing pains more than the wistful wish to have chosen more wisely and more courageously — the chance untaken, the love unleapt, the unkind word in the time for tenderness.
Don’t be afraid to be confused. Try to remain permanently confused. Anything is possible. Stay open, forever, so open it hurts, and then open up some more, until the day you die, world without end, amen.
well said, don't be afraid to be confused. That is a thing that is hard for most people to handle. No one wants to be confused. But confusion is a necessary state of existence.
I am touched by that final line of notes reflecting on the best-laid schemes of the squirrel: "...nature will remember you." In a way, you've neatly and succinctly summed up the process and goal at which all writers and poets and creatives aim--to do our best at what we do, and ultimately not to be forgotten.
Yes well said, that is definitely what I was getting at :)
I’m thinking of that squirrel. It’s believed that they can anticipate the future, at least as the availability of food is concerned. And they may be able to dream for brief times during hibernation.
What was that squirrel thinking as it froze? Was he (let’s say it was a he) thinking or dreaming? Did he know he was dying? Could he feel that he was freezing? Did all his seeds and nuts and hiding places flash before his closed eyes?
Do squirrels have vivid dreams? Was he aware that he was dying as he was dreaming? Did it occur to him , in a sudden flash of realisation, that he couldn’t take it with him?
All brilliant thoughts and questions. I wonder the same thing about all the animals. Thank you Mark!
I feel this! I am a bear waking up so slowly at the moment. The older I get the more hibernation seems like the only way to live and the waking seems a bit harder!
Same here, April. I feel you. :)
Perhaps in the old days hibernation was reading books by candlelight and now it is watching netflix?? More detrimental to the creative soul I feel. I shall plunge once again into the cold sea and wake myself from this winter of discontent 😂
I feel this in my bones! I have problem with transitions as well (I tend to get sick when the seasons change and daylight savings throws me for a loop)
I've been doing some writing about spring as well and I very much resonate with your squirrel this year.
Yeah it's been a rough season change, but hopefully things will improve for both of us! Thanks Will
Beautiful and touching as always, Franco :) "If you did your best and stayed true to yourself, then nature will remember you." It's very nice to hear :)
thank you, mayday—big fan of your work as well. I appreciate the comment.
I know what it's like to be thawed from ice.
i bet
My favorite line: "show me that I can succeed
as myself
and not cave to the system’s intentions…
glad you liked that part, Scarlett
Poor squirrel, but I so get it. This resonates big time.
:) thanks, Victoria
stellar writing—I always look forward to it
Thank you, Ria.
For someone who thinks all the time (probably far too much) I don't reflect on transitions. I tend to drift and allow the "forces" to propel me forward. This isn't a perfect method nor one I've perfected but it seems to suit me. I think the squirrel did its best. Made plans, took stock, and with all of that still fell short - it happens. To all of us. We reach for the future as if we know what it will be and then it changes as our hand is about to touch it. Do we withdraw and try again later - or just embrace whatever is there? All interesting thoughts. Thanks for the nudge, Franco.
thank you for your thoughts, Joe. I like how you word it—that it changes in our hand as we're about to touch it. So very true. I appreciate your commentary, brother.
"it hurts to be original,
there’s pain in what’s unique,"
Dude, you must be a masochist. This one was good. I like the slower pace, so much of your work lately has been quickfire in its tempo, this one is slowing down and reflecting. Just as one should do at the end of winter. Kind of a hopeless ending though. It the lowest ever seen, like hitting rock bottom.
ha, yes, maybe a little bit of a masochist. But I swear it's not my fault. :)
The price we pay for being children of chance, born of a billion bright improbabilities that prevailed over the staggering odds of nothingness and eternal night, is the admission of our total cosmic helplessness.
Because our locus of choice is so narrow against the immensity of chance, nothing haunts human life more than the consequences of our choices, nothing pains more than the wistful wish to have chosen more wisely and more courageously — the chance untaken, the love unleapt, the unkind word in the time for tenderness.
Don’t be afraid to be confused. Try to remain permanently confused. Anything is possible. Stay open, forever, so open it hurts, and then open up some more, until the day you die, world without end, amen.
well said, don't be afraid to be confused. That is a thing that is hard for most people to handle. No one wants to be confused. But confusion is a necessary state of existence.
Keep them coming. We need your views
so glad you appreciate the work, thank you
Loved this
Happy that you loved it. Thank you Anna ☺️
Compliment: Garbage Notes is never vulgar. Thank you.
thank you, I will take that as a sincere compliment. Though, you might not have read all of it haha
"to confront the truth that waits for us
in isolation..."
once more succinctly describing the purpose of the last 10 years of my life-excellent as always Franco
thank you, David. :)