Beautiful and so true! I choose the unpath, the rewarding one through the underbrush and brambles. I choose the one that is sparsely taken...because there is always truth at the end. You will never find peace when you follow masses of people. Take care and have a wonderful time. Forget about where you came from and enjoy where you land, especially if it is another country. It seems as if the problems of this country magically fall away when you leave it. We were in Africa for a month before the election in 2016 and it was bliss. Enjoy!
So true, SadieJay. We are leaving Greece tomorrow and even though Athens is its own madding crowd, I have felt totally blessed to be far, far away from the US version.
Hi Mary, It's so good to hear your voice! This was a lovely poem, but even lovelier listening to you read it. It speaks to me, for sure. Can't wait to hear all about your adventures. I look forward to your collaboration with Tonika coming in July. Have a ton of fun but be safe. Miss you. xox
Thanks, dear Rocket! I'm doing a happy dance right now because our flight back to the US was delayed! I get another day to spend with my son (and maybe dunk in the Aegean one more time)! Miss you, too. Xox
Well, do ya think I liked this one?? Even the painting/detail made my š skip a beat. I've always loved this poem but hearing you read it made it even more special. There's something magical about seeing a path in the woods. I sometimes like to follow them but often like to veer off to see what lies hidden by all the branches and tall tick-infested grasses. :( Fall and Winter are best to do this, at least where I live. I'm trying to be in the moment and not count the days until the deer flies retreat...
Safe and happy travels, dear Mary! I hope there are no biting bugs where you are going... XOXO
I think of you as the ultimate off-roader, Barbara. Glad this poem made your heart skip! Thanks for the travel wishes! I've got some new lavender repellant that a woman in FL sold me, claiming it was effective for all manner of biting bugs -- we shall see š¤!
And it brings spirit into the conversation. Excited about your Visceral Collab. Keep Kathleen's July challenge for a new SOTU address in the back of your mind while traveling. I'm sure something good will come from the incubation time.
wull first, this is a true & timely take on the ol' chestnut--but I too had no idear it was written "in jest!"--lordy that was a circulatin' standard at my school too--nice it's been put ta song, an' aptly + fondly "reinvented" as a political journey -- Okay, so I'm late ta that party an' an'nuther one--"The Prince" was written "in jest" as well an' has become a playbook for tyrants the world over. Just goes ta show ya, one's "intent" may not matter when it comes ta the work standin' fer itself... That's 2 good examples! RE the "pahrties"--- I do believe I voted at least one for the Green Party (that one got trampled under the leaves too... I used ta like Ralph Nader -- I believe Jill Stein got tied to a chair an' physically removed from a Killary Town Hall... so much for the power of "green")---so I LOVE a good party but "have" none.... I'm tiltin' a little more ta the "right" than I once did (but that ain't fer me either).... but that means I'm still off balance, lol. I'm happy ta look off that beaten path with ya tho'!
Congrats on yer son's graduation--how totally COOL he did college in Greece! (Been to Athens many moons ago, enjoyed it muchly--'specially bein' on a bus with elderly women holdin' chickens in cages an' of course the moo-see-umns!) Happy travels onta Nevada (hope it all goes swimmin'ly an' "peaceably")... I'll look forward ta seein' what you an' Tonika made too!
Ahh...Greece. Ironically, I re-posted a piece I wrote about my unforgettable Greek Salad. Enjoy your time there, and I hope you also create some memorable moments.
I enjoyed your version of the poem. It is a nice reminder to appreciate where my feet are and avoid the places my mind wants to wander toward in some imaginary place where the grass is undoubtedly greener.
Agree with all your commenters, Mary. So happy to hear you're enjoying your travels, and this was such a beauty and reimagining of a favorite. Your talent, is expressed effortlessly, it feels.
Can't wait to see the collab! May good fortune and serendipity (like a welcomed delayed flight) accompany you throughout.
I've never considered the possibility that Machiavelli was writing satirically in The Prince -- but it seems totally plausible. I no longer take much of anything as gospel anymore. It's disorienting but freeing!
What a great play on a classic! Iām with you on that one, sister! And the red and blue have merged into an unholy purple.
Looking forward to sharing our collab with the world! š¤
Same here!
Super keen to find out what you two have been up to
Beautiful and so true! I choose the unpath, the rewarding one through the underbrush and brambles. I choose the one that is sparsely taken...because there is always truth at the end. You will never find peace when you follow masses of people. Take care and have a wonderful time. Forget about where you came from and enjoy where you land, especially if it is another country. It seems as if the problems of this country magically fall away when you leave it. We were in Africa for a month before the election in 2016 and it was bliss. Enjoy!
So true, SadieJay. We are leaving Greece tomorrow and even though Athens is its own madding crowd, I have felt totally blessed to be far, far away from the US version.
Thanks for the well-wishes!
Hi Mary, It's so good to hear your voice! This was a lovely poem, but even lovelier listening to you read it. It speaks to me, for sure. Can't wait to hear all about your adventures. I look forward to your collaboration with Tonika coming in July. Have a ton of fun but be safe. Miss you. xox
Thanks, dear Rocket! I'm doing a happy dance right now because our flight back to the US was delayed! I get another day to spend with my son (and maybe dunk in the Aegean one more time)! Miss you, too. Xox
Also, I just noticed that this posted to the Substack app at 11:11! :) XOXO
Well, do ya think I liked this one?? Even the painting/detail made my š skip a beat. I've always loved this poem but hearing you read it made it even more special. There's something magical about seeing a path in the woods. I sometimes like to follow them but often like to veer off to see what lies hidden by all the branches and tall tick-infested grasses. :( Fall and Winter are best to do this, at least where I live. I'm trying to be in the moment and not count the days until the deer flies retreat...
Safe and happy travels, dear Mary! I hope there are no biting bugs where you are going... XOXO
I think of you as the ultimate off-roader, Barbara. Glad this poem made your heart skip! Thanks for the travel wishes! I've got some new lavender repellant that a woman in FL sold me, claiming it was effective for all manner of biting bugs -- we shall see š¤!
Xox
Thank you for sharing.
I used to know what that pattern of rhyme was called, you use it beautifully! And perfectly articulate the solution to the dilemma.
I was just saying to Pasheen over at Diva Drops why I love meter and rhyme. It pushes you into unexpected roads, off the beaten path. Yes, indeed, I had used that phrase there: https://divadrops.substack.com/p/meth-blue-a-psa-and-blue-seduction/comment/60510024.
And it brings spirit into the conversation. Excited about your Visceral Collab. Keep Kathleen's July challenge for a new SOTU address in the back of your mind while traveling. I'm sure something good will come from the incubation time.
That's a crazy synchronicity, Tereza! And you're so right -- it does push you into unexpected roads. Limitation breeds creativity, of all sorts.
And so does travel! I'm seeing and learning so much -- I can feel the incubation taking place already.
Thanks for the comment, friend. Xox
Thank you for sharing.
wull first, this is a true & timely take on the ol' chestnut--but I too had no idear it was written "in jest!"--lordy that was a circulatin' standard at my school too--nice it's been put ta song, an' aptly + fondly "reinvented" as a political journey -- Okay, so I'm late ta that party an' an'nuther one--"The Prince" was written "in jest" as well an' has become a playbook for tyrants the world over. Just goes ta show ya, one's "intent" may not matter when it comes ta the work standin' fer itself... That's 2 good examples! RE the "pahrties"--- I do believe I voted at least one for the Green Party (that one got trampled under the leaves too... I used ta like Ralph Nader -- I believe Jill Stein got tied to a chair an' physically removed from a Killary Town Hall... so much for the power of "green")---so I LOVE a good party but "have" none.... I'm tiltin' a little more ta the "right" than I once did (but that ain't fer me either).... but that means I'm still off balance, lol. I'm happy ta look off that beaten path with ya tho'!
Congrats on yer son's graduation--how totally COOL he did college in Greece! (Been to Athens many moons ago, enjoyed it muchly--'specially bein' on a bus with elderly women holdin' chickens in cages an' of course the moo-see-umns!) Happy travels onta Nevada (hope it all goes swimmin'ly an' "peaceably")... I'll look forward ta seein' what you an' Tonika made too!
Ahh...Greece. Ironically, I re-posted a piece I wrote about my unforgettable Greek Salad. Enjoy your time there, and I hope you also create some memorable moments.
I enjoyed your version of the poem. It is a nice reminder to appreciate where my feet are and avoid the places my mind wants to wander toward in some imaginary place where the grass is undoubtedly greener.
Thank you for sharing.
Agree with all your commenters, Mary. So happy to hear you're enjoying your travels, and this was such a beauty and reimagining of a favorite. Your talent, is expressed effortlessly, it feels.
Can't wait to see the collab! May good fortune and serendipity (like a welcomed delayed flight) accompany you throughout.
Thank you for sharing.
I've never considered the possibility that Machiavelli was writing satirically in The Prince -- but it seems totally plausible. I no longer take much of anything as gospel anymore. It's disorienting but freeing!
Thanks, Jack! I'll check out your piece. I think I ate a Greek Salad every single day I was there... the tomatoes were transcendent!
So kind, Kathleen! Thank you for the blessings of good fortune, too. (The delayed flight also means I will have one fewer day with my MIL š!)