With the clock going on a new year: A few thoughts (paraphrased) on what one does in isolation without expectation of reward:

This is my letter to the world that never wrote to me, / the simple news that Nature told with tender majesty. –Emily Dickinson

I’d rather learn from one bird how to sing than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance. –e.e. cummings

Poetry is self discipline for the purpose of a formal integration of experience. –Hart Crane

. . .the lover in life will make obstructions serve and from all resistance gain strength. –Robert Bridges

Love is not a feeling. It is a policy. –Hugh Franklin

Look thy last on all things lovely every hour. –Walter de la Mare

I am, yet–what I am who knows or cares? –John Clare

It should be noted that the thought of working creatively in isolation did not prevent any of these writers from going right ahead with what they were doing.

The first guest blog is a poem by Karine Marshall, leader of Capitol Opera Richmond. See her blog at: https://karineeva.blogspot.com/2021/01/a-moment-of-winter.html and the site for COR at http://www.capitoloperarichmond.com/

A poem on Saturday, January 2, 2021

A Moment of Winter

 Waves crashing on the sand

Whitecaps their winter wear.

Dogs running, barking, affirming existence.

Sun sparkles on the sand

The same as the twinkle in your eye.

Children squeal — vestiges of joy

Fading into the air.

Time passes unobserved

Days shorter, nights long.

Bears slumber dreaming of honeypots spring will bring.

The wheel turns, chance, fortune, and destiny

Shuffled mysteriously.

The wondrous potions of life’s elixir

Sustaining each moment, each breath

Until the last exhale

When the night sky beckons

To the abyss of the unknown.

by Karine Marshall

HERE IS A BLOG CARTOON FROM MONICA LEWIS, CHRIS WIEGARD, AND CORA LEWIS, FROM THE RICHMOND CHAPTER OF CCL: Citizens Climate Lobby https://citizensclimatelobby.org/

MORE GUEST BLOGS FROM THESE WRITERS AND OTHERS WILL APPEAR IN FRAMESHIFTS THIS YEAR. YOU MAY MAKE COMMENTS ON THIS PAGE OR CONTACT ME AT https://formsofresistance.com/

Peace,

Richard L. Rose