Learning to Sing Again

One of the repercussions of the long ICU stay was that I had to relearn many things I previously took for granted, like sitting up without slumping over, eating without choking, walking without feeling like my legs were going to buckle.  Fortunately, these skills were quickly regained, within days of leaving the ICU.

Singing, however, was another matter.  I could barely talk, so singing felt like such a long shot. In the bigger scheme of things, it just didn’t seem all that important.

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How are you?

Brows furrowed in consternation,

reschooled, rearranged into too bright a smile.

“You look fantastic! You look so much better now!”

follows all too quickly

A shuffling of feet. when can i politely take my leave?
without seeming rude, ungrateful,
without causing worry, offense?

“Are you resting enough?
How are you feeling?
Are you eating well?
Are you back to normal?”

i mumble something or other,
eager to get away from
the concerned glances that are shot my way.

Am i fine?  i feel fine.
But i guess

the scalp peeking out from my closely cropped mane,

the scar adjacent to my lip, mostly faded, but still mocking,

the shadows under my no longer sunken eyes,

hinting at darker days

surprise, shock, evoke concern & sympathy
from those i chancely encounter.

I am fine.

Please grow!

Older Daughter & Loving Husband planted a handful of rosehip seeds which they harvested from a rosehip plant.  This little guy was the only one who sprouted.  Older Daughter checks on him every morning and evening, watering him carefully and tenderly. We are all waiting with her to see if more leaves will grow.   

The Wonderful World of Podcasts

I find myself in the world of podcasts rather belatedly, all of a sudden immersed in this fantastic place of possibilities, where one can immerse oneself in programmes ranging from Gin & Botanicals (BBC4: Food Programme) to the Migration of Birds (BBC4 Radio: In Our Time) to the whimsical quirky storyworld of Nightvale (Welcome to Nightvale).

Where are the Dragons?

Shhhh … under the bed.
Is the dragon under the bed?
Look! Look!
Oh… he’s not there.

Maybe he’s off flying through a deep blue sky
Searching for his next quarry, his next meal.
Flying free, flying fast,
Watchful for anything that
Moves far below him.

Shhhh … in the closet.
Is the dragon in the closet?
Look! Look!
Oh … he’s not there.

Maybe he’s fighting a knight,
All shiny, metal-tasting and clanky,
Toying with this quarry, with this next meal.
Fighting free, fighting strong,
Invigorated by the challenge of this champion.

Shhhh … outside the window.
Is the dragon outside the window?
Look! Look!
Oh … he’s not there.

Maybe he’s lying amidst his hoard, in his far off cave
Full of treasure, twinkling like stars in the darkness.
Heaving, gasping for his next breath.
Fighting free, fighting long.

Where have all the dragons gone?
They have left our our skies, our lands,
our deepest, darkest corners.

The Dragonslayers, conniving, skilled,
insistently memorising the face of each mesmerising dragon,
hunting them down mercilessly.

The end of legend,
the end of imagination,
the end of possibility.

The Dragons are driven out, one by one,
pursued, desperate, cornered,
until They have no choice but to grow up.

Taking a Closer Look

“Look at these leaves: they look artificial!” exclaimed Older Daughter as we brushed past this planter box after breakfast.

Younger Daughter had a break this morning, so we decided to have breakfast with her Sister on Campus before classes started for the day.

This week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge is Structure, where we are invited to take a moment to take a moment to notice the structure of things around

Oh Look!

We snapped a shot of this little guy at MacRitchie Reservoir after our morning run, in response to Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge, Danger

100% Chocolate

Loving Husband & Older Daughter love dark chocolate, even the very bitter 100%. Younger Daughter and I prefer ours much sweeter and perhaps, milkier.

In considering where bitter fits in my life, I think our taste buds have it right: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and for the new gourmand, umami.  It all contributes to our experience of food, and in a larger sense, of the world around us.  It is about finding the right balance, the right combination, the right amount.

Thinking on the Cold

For those of us who live in the tropics and enjoy (if you prefer, replace with a verb of choice) a whole year of warm weather, travel to colder climes is a treat.

It baffles friends why we choose to spend many a Christmas in London; after all, why go when it’s so cold and likely to rain.  Apart from visiting family which is always precious, we do enjoy cold weather so it is a welcome respite for us.  And the promise of snow at Christmas is exciting!

Just thinking of skating outdoors in the crisp cold while I look out the window towards another blistering day!

Feature Photo: taken December 2016 at the skating rink in front of the Natural History Museum, London.  In response to Daily Post’s Wanderlust.