I wake to the stark reality of this house.
I wake to the sound of the ocean, the vast water capable of absorbing all of my tears yet never once softening–
That’s not the purpose of the ocean.
I wake to the stark reality of hard surfaces, of wood and glass that reverberate sound without absorption–
That’s not the purpose of wood nor glass.
I wake to the stark awareness of yet another day spent in my own company, another day with my thoughts as companions when I long for the warmth and comfort of friends or family–
That’s not the purpose of aloneness.
I wake to the stark hardness of political messaging that uses division and hate that tears at the fabric of my understanding of humanity–
That is not the purpose of humanity.
I wake to another day of stark being and hard reality as I long for the embrace of compassion, first for myself then radiating to all others, each of us waking to yet another day of trying to stay safe while struggling with isolation and wanting connections–
That is the purpose of compassion.
The Marginal Way 
You are a poet, Jane. That is one thing this difficult time is doing for you–encouraging you to write beautiful, difficult, meaningful things like this.
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This resonated deeply with me. Beautiful.
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This resonated deeply with me. Beautiful.
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Hi Jane – another lovely, moving piece. Things are getting more and more difficult. It’s hard to not have a purpose, besides taking care of the kitty, paying bills, gardening – which is grueling in this heat, but still joyful. I cried the other day, too. I slipped on some stone near my garden, landed on my back and bumped my head (on the grass). Cried because I wondered if I had been knocked out, how long it would be before anyone would find me on the ground in the backyard. It was a catalyst for the fear we are all experiencing.
There was a piece on public radio this morning talking about having graphic and unsettling dreams – person interviewed said not to worry that something is wrong with you, just caused by all the stress and everything you wrote about!
I wish for news that all will be okay at a certain time in the near future – need something to aim for and hope for. We have to keep on looking for projects we enjoy – maybe fill all the photo frames I gave you! We could have an art show – your photos, my paintings, Diane’s many, many crafty cool “things.”
You have many friends – all will be well – eventually.
On Fri, Jul 31, 2020 at 12:24 PM The Marginal Way wrote:
> janedougall posted: ” I wake to the stark reality of this house. I wake to > the sound of the ocean, the vast water capable of absorbing all of my tears > yet never once softening– That’s not the purpose of the ocean. I wake to > the stark reality of hard surfaces, of wood and” >
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Falls like that might actually be useful as long as we aren’t hurt. I think it shakes us in a good way, like a good cry or a bout of doubled over laughter. It’s a relief / release. But I sure to get that it is scary and brings up all kinds of being alone stuff.
I certainly hope I don’t have another nightmare. The one that I had didn’t feel good at all. Just too awful.
Nice weather yesterday and today. Watch for Tuesday-Wednesday when the hurricane remnants come up the coast. We’ll get some rain for sure and we need it but maybe too much too fast?
>
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