I am the family philosopher, or so they say
\nAnd we were there in the farmhouse together one day
\nIn Spring, visiting Julie and John
\nAnd our two grandsons, which is always fun.
\nAbstract thought were leading me by the nose
\nAbout something I’d read, and begun to suppose
\nThat a catharsic cycle I now could explain,
\nHow it lead through apathy, sadness, anger and pain
\nTo acceptance and a final release for some,
\nThe ones who could understand and so overcome,
\nWhile continuing cycles remained for those stuck in fear
\nUntil they learned that their anger leads nowhere;
\nFor progress is blind, and we are called to accept
\nAn uncoupling from all that we worked to collect.
\nWithout a commitment, no truth can be found
\nAnd we carry on going around and around –<\/p>\n
As I glanced up to see, silhouette through the door
\nA clustered group on the stone-flagged kitchen floor;
\nGrandmother, daughter and grandson in family meet
\nPeering engrossed at an old, wooden chest that lay at their feet.
\nStrips of sandpaper clasped in their hands
\nAnd surrounded by pots, tins and cotton wool strands;
\nA sunlit etched vignette, spotlighting their tasks,
\n‘What are you doing there?’ the philosopher asks.
\n‘We are working on this old piece,’ she answered him.
\nThey continued surveying as he stroked his chin,
\nAnd William started to sandpaper again
\nWorking as Omalein said, just with the grain.
\nJulie left to feed the dogs as her mother musingly
\nStood, looking at the old chest studying, speculatively,
\nMaking little noises, pointing out details to Wills,
\nTheir heads bent together, absorbed in their mutual skills.<\/p>\n
The wood looked old, dull, wasted to the philosopher’s eye
\nHis thought still half here and half there up on high.
\n‘It looks a lifeless piece to me,’ he said, focusing on earth
\n‘To be taking such pains, it doesn’t seem worth……’
\nFrom layers locked deep in her melioristic mind
\nShe jerked free of involvement, searching to find.
\nThe words that might satisfy her just what she meant
\nAnd explain to him a meaning of her intent.
\nAll that was practical to her here expressed,
\nAlone if need be, but togetherness best
\nA fulfillment in service, where achievements unite
\nPulling together an order, revealing a light;
\nThe philosopher’s loving, lovable, talented wife
\nAnswered, ‘It is like bringing neglected children to life.’<\/p>\n
May 1997<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I am the family philosopher, or so they say And we were there in the farmhouse together one day In Spring, visiting Julie and John And our two grandsons, which is always fun. Abstract thought were leading me by the … Continue reading