December 2020 – Page 2 – Muttering Retreats

Weird Sites in Rome, Take One

When in Rome, do as the Egyptians do. This unexpected landmark was a five minute walk away from our temporary home. (Then again, what wasn’t?) Shot on iPhone 8.

You come to me in flashesunexpectedbrightraw like lightningcoloring the skyon a dry summer eveningand I smileas I wanderinto your storm You shake the ground beneath mesuddendisruptivepenetratinglike thunderbreaking the silencethrough the dark of the nightand I cryas I wanderinto your storm You pour yourself over meuncensoredsaturatingpurelike rainfalling on flowersin the soft light of dawnand I flyasContinue reading “Wandering”

More Shutters! (Rome, Italy)

Some people want cowbell, I want shutters and shadows. Also here’s a bonus shot from down a random alley on the street where we lived (I think this was another neighborhood – a set of condos, not unlike where we were staying). Shot on iPhone 8, black and white filter.

Degenerative Progress

I won an award at work yesterday, for being one of the company’s best innovators of 2020, a catalyst for change, and an excellent collaborator. The whole affair has me thinking about that old line from The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats, about things falling part, centres not holding. I’ve also been thinking aboutContinue reading “Degenerative Progress”

A Sky is a Sky is a Sky (Rome, Italy)

I love this photo, because it could have been taken anywhere, but it wasn’t. It was taken in Rome. A reminder that wherever you go, there you are. Or something. Also, a bonus shutter shot, because they’re cool. Again, could be anywhere — but it wasn’t. Photos shot on iPhone 8, black and white filter.

And Then There Were Cats (Rome, Italy)

Welcome to our view pretty much every day we were in Rome. After my regular morning quest for cappuccinos, I’d come back to the apartment to fetch my traveling companion, and we’d head out. A mere five minute stroll along a busy street, passing by banks, restaurants, pharmacies, shops, then bam, ruins! And not justContinue reading “And Then There Were Cats (Rome, Italy)”

Home Temporary Home (Rome, Italy)

Pro tip for wanderers: Take advantage of places where your friends are living. Often they will not only give you some insider information about places to visit, but also offer to hook you up with inexpensive (if not completely free) lodging for a few nights. Advanced pro tip: If they are really good friends whoContinue reading “Home Temporary Home (Rome, Italy)”

Reality vs. Reverie

I don’t remember many details, but I have a vague memory of reading a book when I was very young about a girl who was living in really bad circumstances, like a closet or something. Whenever she was put there (by a terrible parental figure, of course), she’d imagine a whole world of friends andContinue reading “Reality vs. Reverie”

No RSVP Required

I received an amazing email today: “[Our holiday party] is happening this year. In accordance with Michigan state laws, we are limiting the number of guests outside of our immediate family to zero. […] You are hereby uninvited.” In other words, do not RSVP. Do not BYOB. Please find it in your heart to spread a littleContinue reading “No RSVP Required”

Homeownership

I have no use for you, I saidAnd smashed it on the cementPieces shatteringScatteringUnrecognizable as anything that could haveTaken so much space within mePieces floatingBlowing in the breezeLike cottonwood ~ Hezaasan, (c) 2018 Dug up this old piece in honor of my house being up to its usual stupid-face antics this morning. Water always wins,Continue reading “Homeownership”