Language, Spelling & Grammar FUN!

Imbolc Cyberspace Poetry Slam

Today is Imbolc, a pagan holiday which celebrates, not Spring per se, but rather, the promise of Spring. It is also the sacred day of Brigid the Bright, the Celtic Goddess of (among other things) poetry.

The Imbolc Cyberspace Poetry Slam has been celebrated for quite a few years now by various pagans around the blogosphere. On February 1st (Imbolc Eve) or February 2nd (Imbolc Day), people post a favourite poem written by themselves or by another poet so that, collectively, an internet web of poetry is woven to honour Brigid.

This year I am posting a poem by Mary Anne Perrone, who is an educator, activist, and spiritual guide. For over 30 years her area of focus has been on human rights in Latin America. This poem goes by various names on the internet (such as Christmas at Midlife, Life at Midlife, and She Is Fire) but I have used the title I think is most representative of its theme: No Longer Waiting.

The only good photo I could find of the poet is from 30 years ago in 1994 --

No Longer Waiting

by Mary Anne Perrone

I am no longer waiting for a special occasion;

I burn the best candles on ordinary days.

I am no longer waiting for the house to be clean;

I fill it with people who understand that even dust is Sacred.

I am no longer waiting for everyone to understand me;

It’s just not their task.

I am no longer waiting for the perfect children;

my children have their own names that burn as brightly as any star.

I am no longer waiting for the other shoe to drop;

It already did, and I survived.

I am no longer waiting for the time to be right;

the time is always now.

I am no longer waiting for the mate who will complete me;

I am grateful to be so warmly, tenderly held.

I am no longer waiting for a quiet moment;

my heart can be stilled whenever it is called.

I am no longer waiting for the world to be at peace;

I unclench my grasp and breathe peace in and out.

I am no longer waiting to do something great;

being awake to carry my grain of sand is enough.

I am no longer waiting to be recognized;

I know that I dance in a holy circle.

I am no longer waiting for Forgiveness;

I believe, I believe.

A Gentleman in Moscow

Three or four years ago, I enjoyed reading the novel A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. This work of historical fiction tells the story of Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov. Not long after the Russian Revolution, the Count has his death sentence for being a social parasite commuted by a Bolshevik Tribunal to lifetime house arrest in Moscow's famous Metropol Hotel, where he was living at the time. The rest of the novel concerns the subsequent decades under Stalin's authoritarian regime and how the Count uses his flexible social skills and not inconsiderable charm to adapt by making friends, creating a family, finding meaningful work inside the Hotel, and ultimately thwarting his enemies.

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of watching the 8-part miniseries made from this book (which is currently streaming on CBC Gem in Canada and, I believe, on Paramount+ and Hulu in the United States). The series does a marvelous job of bringing the novel faithfully and compellingly to the screen. Ewan McGregor stars as Count Rostov, with his real life wife Mary Elizabeth Winstead starring as Anna Urbanova, the Count's love interest. They are both outstanding in their roles, as is the supporting cast of actors. Highly recommended, if you get a chance to see it!

Free Legal Advice

Know your rights --

 

Not every loophole is a good one --

Always proofread legal documents -- 

And try not to end up here --

It's Australia Day Down Under

I've never been to Australia,

but I'd love to go some day!

Greetings from Canada!

Enjoy your National Day today,

our Commonwealth Cousins!

Celebrating Robbie Burns Day & All Things Scottish

A mural of the National Poet of Scotland

in Kilmarnock, Scotland --

But we love them all the same!

Important Signage