A few are left
dry bright flutter
soon adrift
each in its oneness
a moment in the arms of air
then slowly down
leaving the shadeless world
to marvel
at the unhidden.
If you know me, dear reader, you have surmised that my muse has abandoned me once again. She does not request a leave of absence; she just absconds with inspiration.
I can’t be too hard on her, though. I’ve caught one of the bugs (infectiously speaking) going around and it has not improved my curmudgeon’s disposition. One of my best friends is losing her fight with a brain tumor, and my thoughts probably don’t leave much room for my muse. Maybe the truth is that I’ve abandoned her.
I had to cancel Thanksgiving at the last minute because of this rotten bug. We swapped food so everyone had a full menu, but we didn’t eat together. I had tea and toast — not cheerfully, I assure you.
Thanksgiving is for all of us a memory mishmash, I think, but it’s fitting as the door to the season of memories. I wish us all perspective.
Oddments 
November 26, 2022 at 11:39 am
A bug, a missing muse, and a sick friend, now, that’s a mental load, my friend. I sincerely hope you are feeling better each day, and I will definitely pray for your friend and her journey. I know first hand what that journey is like and hope she has support. I left the muse for last because she is very elusive, and I know about that first hand too. 🙂
November 26, 2022 at 11:51 am
Yes, you do know. Thank you for the prayers; she would thank you too. And, yes, she has had support. I fear at this point her wonderful daughter is depleted. There are times when we go on will power alone and that takes a terrible toll.
November 26, 2022 at 11:54 am
A medical journey like this is very challenging for all involved. I pray God gives each of them the strength they need to work through this passage.
November 26, 2022 at 11:55 am
Thank you, Judy. You are so right that it’s a journey for more than one, and it’s a tough one.
November 26, 2022 at 11:52 am
I am sorry to hear about your illness and your friend’s condition. I’m sure your muse will return. Until then (and beyond) I’ll keep a good thought for you and I’ll keep you and your friend in our prayers.
November 26, 2022 at 11:54 am
Thanks, Dan. I know she too would send her thanks for prayers. The muse is lurking somewhere; I’ve tried hard to write through the past couple weeks but have come up with a lot of nothing so it’s time for her to get back to work.
November 26, 2022 at 10:15 pm
No pie for the muse until she comes up with something.
November 26, 2022 at 1:32 pm
Maureen, I think your muse is on a hiatus to give you the time to battle that nasty bug you have and to spend some very personal quiet time praying for your dear friend as she embarks on this last journey. I too will pray for her and her family. I imagine her daughter is running on fumes at this point.
Don’t worry about your curmudgeon’s disposition….it will help you get through this tough time.
Ginger
November 26, 2022 at 2:47 pm
Thank you, Ginger — I never thought of that, but you’re right, I’m sure: the curmudgeon’s personality helps with survival. Thanks for your prayers, too, especially for the daughter. I do think she’s running on fumes.
November 26, 2022 at 4:35 pm
I hope you have a speedy and full recovery and can look forward to a much better Thanksgiving next year.
November 26, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Thank you, Shirah! I am already looking forward to next year!
November 26, 2022 at 5:39 pm
Hope this finds you feeling better. Prayers for your dear friend.
November 26, 2022 at 5:59 pm
Thank you! I know that she would thank you too.
November 26, 2022 at 8:48 pm
Maureen–I am so sorry for all you have, figuratively speaking, on your plate. The muse was wise to bow out and leave you to your thoughts…for your friend and her daughter. I cannot imagine. Take care of yourself. I hope you feel better soon.
November 26, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Thank you, Lois. It’s been such a rough time for them. I think you’re right that my muse was being thoughtful.
November 27, 2022 at 3:08 pm
I love the last line from your poem: “to marvel at the unhidden”; a reminder that as we huddle indoors during this time of year, there is a lot to uncover and discover, inside and out.
I hope you recover quickly and able to support your friend while she struggles through her illness.
November 27, 2022 at 6:40 pm
Thank you. And I agree there is a lot to uncover and discover even huddled indoors.
November 27, 2022 at 3:33 pm
Health is everything as I’ve learned all too well this year. I hope you and your friend are surrounded by love and support, and very best wishes for a speedy recovery from your bug. Tis the season, unfortunately, just when we should be celebrating winter festivities that drive away the dark and invite the muses back in.
November 27, 2022 at 6:42 pm
You are so right: ’tis the season to invite in, but we are hearing “not so fast” from the medical people. I think of you often in hopes that you are getting better, but I’m not sure what “better” is with long COVID. Scary stuff.
November 28, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Several times over the last week or so I have thought to enquire how you are as I had wondered if something was wrong, but then you would drop in and leave a comment. I hope you’re over the beastly bug by now. It came at the worst possible time with seasonal treats and time with loved ones on offer. I’m very sorry to hear that your friend is so ill. The struggles of her daughter will be too familiar for you. I wish all three of you the very best. Your muse? Well, I’ll be thinking of her too.
November 28, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Thanks, Susan. I think I’m winning the war of the bug, but I’m careful. The time for my friend is given in days now. It’s an awed wait.
November 28, 2022 at 1:29 pm
It is.