Those 'baleen' buildings were 'architected' in the 1950s. An interesting connection might be: that era was the ascendance of 'The Company Man' - - "Executive Suite; The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit"; IBM ("I've Been Moved" was the mantra of their up-and-coming junior executives). The era of, as my father used to admonish me with: "Tim, always be loyal to the company and they'll take care of you." Baleen is exactly right. I somehow managed to slip out between the teeth.
Knowing this context is incredibly important and gives me an even greater appreciation for the message of this poem. Really really really grateful for you sharing this comment. Thank you, Tim!
It’s brilliant—the poetry, the behemoth, the shifting—my ADD took me right back to my mind never thinking about math during the 0730 hr Math class in High School when the thoughts always swirled—constantly shifting.
"like the mouths of Baileen whales.." - love that... it's the perfect analogy. Thank you for your thoughts Franco, I'll let them swirl around my head for a while as I sit in my study, letting my quiet mind wander. I'm with you on this, let's all step back from the charging bull that is life and rediscover our slow humanity. Enjoy your day my friend.
Well, Franco....now I have Dolly Parton's "9-5" lyrics coursing through my head! Interesting, how being consumed by the rat race or tied to your job or "owing your soul to the company store" is a revolving door in our history of existence. For most of us, it doesn't look like it will ever change anytime soon. Maybe, the change comes when we stop trying to please others with how we live and work and find reprieve. Maybe, if, and when, we look at our state-of-doing based on what we love to do, rather on what we have to do to survive, that whale won't swallow us whole. However life turns, may we all, at least, find that at the end of it, we did what made us happy. So, I am one hundred percent with you. Let's rediscover that treasure of "slow humanity"!
Cool poem, Franco, especially like "don’t let the masses / put you out". One comment about "We’re higher-order primates. We’re not fish or rodents", i don't know sciencey jargon and seems you refer to impulsive behavior, but every being has a function and intelligence so i don't think "higher", as for example humans could learn from a school of fish how to move/work together in unison, like flocks of birds.
Oh I totally agree with you. what I mean is that we have to ability to question our instincts and can abstract symbolically and have the ability to imagine different possibilities for ourselves. But yes there's so much to learn from other beings. And our intelligence is by no means superior :)
thx, Franco... i'm generally suspicious with any study that explains stuff, and who actually knows what critters are thinking and seeing, like if the squirrel eats some of the naturally growing yard mushrooms because of so much rain, maybe it's like he's watching three tv shows at once in his mind :)
one time after i moved a bird feeder so as to position it so they couldn't get at it, i saw a squirrel stretched on a tree trunk motionless for a buncha minutes, it was like he was doing Zen meditation trying to figure out a way at it...
This part is bursting with truth and spoke to me so much. I am currently between old and new worlds and have been considering going back, but every time I read a job description that essentially wants me to open up a vein and bleed, I just can't do it.
While we're talking about squirrels, they have chewed my second set of porch chair cushions. And they also chewed my son's truck 4 wheel drive wires! The squirrels are running around and eating nuts on my porch! Welcome to Squirrel Villa!
Those 'baleen' buildings were 'architected' in the 1950s. An interesting connection might be: that era was the ascendance of 'The Company Man' - - "Executive Suite; The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit"; IBM ("I've Been Moved" was the mantra of their up-and-coming junior executives). The era of, as my father used to admonish me with: "Tim, always be loyal to the company and they'll take care of you." Baleen is exactly right. I somehow managed to slip out between the teeth.
Knowing this context is incredibly important and gives me an even greater appreciation for the message of this poem. Really really really grateful for you sharing this comment. Thank you, Tim!
I appreciated learning this. Thank you. Gives even more poignance to Franco's poem.
agreeed, thanks, Ria. <3
Slow is Smooth; Smooth is Fast. The EMS phrase.
It’s brilliant—the poetry, the behemoth, the shifting—my ADD took me right back to my mind never thinking about math during the 0730 hr Math class in High School when the thoughts always swirled—constantly shifting.
Love it! Excellent phrase. Thank you, Joe.
Love the ending! "stay nimble
and let your thoughts
catch continual fire!
don’t let the masses
put you out"
this is the inspiring message I'm looking for, that is the reason I'm here
thank you!
So good, man. You took the thoughts out of my head. I get my best ideas when I rest.
That's the way to be. Silence is the key.
"like the mouths of Baileen whales.." - love that... it's the perfect analogy. Thank you for your thoughts Franco, I'll let them swirl around my head for a while as I sit in my study, letting my quiet mind wander. I'm with you on this, let's all step back from the charging bull that is life and rediscover our slow humanity. Enjoy your day my friend.
Thank you, my friend. Enjoy yours too 💕
Well, Franco....now I have Dolly Parton's "9-5" lyrics coursing through my head! Interesting, how being consumed by the rat race or tied to your job or "owing your soul to the company store" is a revolving door in our history of existence. For most of us, it doesn't look like it will ever change anytime soon. Maybe, the change comes when we stop trying to please others with how we live and work and find reprieve. Maybe, if, and when, we look at our state-of-doing based on what we love to do, rather on what we have to do to survive, that whale won't swallow us whole. However life turns, may we all, at least, find that at the end of it, we did what made us happy. So, I am one hundred percent with you. Let's rediscover that treasure of "slow humanity"!
Blessings,
~Wendy💜
Beautiful commentary. Now I have to try not to have that song in stuck in my head lol. Thanks, Wendy. Have a lovely day 💕
Cool poem, Franco, especially like "don’t let the masses / put you out". One comment about "We’re higher-order primates. We’re not fish or rodents", i don't know sciencey jargon and seems you refer to impulsive behavior, but every being has a function and intelligence so i don't think "higher", as for example humans could learn from a school of fish how to move/work together in unison, like flocks of birds.
Oh I totally agree with you. what I mean is that we have to ability to question our instincts and can abstract symbolically and have the ability to imagine different possibilities for ourselves. But yes there's so much to learn from other beings. And our intelligence is by no means superior :)
thx, Franco... i'm generally suspicious with any study that explains stuff, and who actually knows what critters are thinking and seeing, like if the squirrel eats some of the naturally growing yard mushrooms because of so much rain, maybe it's like he's watching three tv shows at once in his mind :)
Haha so true. You've made me realize that even squirrels are much more cerebral than I've given them credit for. ❤️
one time after i moved a bird feeder so as to position it so they couldn't get at it, i saw a squirrel stretched on a tree trunk motionless for a buncha minutes, it was like he was doing Zen meditation trying to figure out a way at it...
"a mind that wanders
is a mind that might escape
a mind that might realize
the freedom it possesses"
This part is bursting with truth and spoke to me so much. I am currently between old and new worlds and have been considering going back, but every time I read a job description that essentially wants me to open up a vein and bleed, I just can't do it.
Thank you for writing this Franco.
Thank you, Natalie. I can tell that you understand:) I wish you well in choosing your path.
Yup, I’m that contemplative person who needs time to reflect before making decisions. I think it helps me make less mistakes. Great post. 🩵
Thank you, Grace. It really does help for certain kinds of people. Cheers ❤️
Doing nothing. Just swaying in a hammock. Watching grass grow. Watching clouds. My kinda thing.
Mine too ❤️. Sounds perfect. Thanks, Neena.
There must be something in the water to have us on the same wavelength so often
Maybe! Glad you get it, Melissa :) thanks for reading today.
My pleasure
❤️
While we're talking about squirrels, they have chewed my second set of porch chair cushions. And they also chewed my son's truck 4 wheel drive wires! The squirrels are running around and eating nuts on my porch! Welcome to Squirrel Villa!
👍
Debug 🫶🏻🤞🏻
Thanks, Elaine 💕
Love love love this. I drowned for years and am slowly extricating myself. It is wonderful to feel my brain and soul unfurl together.
That's the way to be. Thanks, Sandy. So glad you enjoyed this. ❤️
Awesome! 💕
Thank you 💕