Into The Mystic M'ownday

The rain fell gently on the Aerie yesterday morning. I watched it begin like magic sparkles on the back deck, in early horizontal sunlight, before the clouds thickened and the drops became steady. I put the kettle on for a second cuppa, watching the wee hummers outside the window dart from feeder to feeder. An osprey alit in the big maple, sushi gripped tightly in his talons, and proceeded to chow-down. I focused the scope for a good close look at that beautiful white chest and dramatic stripe across the eyes.

While most dread Monday and the start of a new workweek, I declare it M’ownday to refill my spirit. When you juggle different jobs with no time clock to punch in and out, it’s important to carve what space you can for reconnecting and rest. Even with 24/7 caregiving, tasks can be moved around to give some necessary ease for one day a week.

Fellow Blogonia, Kim, gave me a wonderful present at the end of March. She sent (via email) an invitation. It was a poetry group’s challenge to write a poem each day for the month of April. I’ve been having a great time with it (thanks Kim!) and allowing the daily prompts to lead my mind where they will. Sunday’s was a gem…take a favourite song and write a poem.

Reading all the poems M'ownday morning, I began to think of how each of us has a personal “soundtrack” of songs in our lives and thought I’d share this challenge with you all. Pick three songs that would definitely be a part of your own soundtrack. You can just list them, or you can also say why you chose those particular ones. I know our lists can change from day-to-day, so I’m not asking anyone to sweat over the definitive three songs of your life. Relax your mind and let it float downstream. I’ll start us off.

“I’ll Be Seeing You”

I remember how this song affected my parents and their friends when I was a child. WWII was not far back in their memories and not a soul was unscathed by loss. The last line always gave me shivers. “…I’ll be looking at the moon…but I’ll be seeing you,” with that beautiful melody ending on a high, wistful note. Now that I’m older and have said goodbye to so many I have loved, the song grows ever deeper in my heart as comfort. Check out Lady Day's version sometime.

“Autumn Leaves”

This was a song my father used to sing, in his rich tenor voice. “The falling leaves drift by my window…the autumn leaves of red and gold…”
The mental picture of colour and movement was always so soothing. At the age of fifty-two, I’ve only just now added this song to my repetoire. I happen to love Eva Cassidy's rendition.

My third pick is perhaps one of my generation’s most favourite and meaningful songs…a song for M’ownday, packed with sweet memories made richer by pain and softer by time.

I know Van’s the Man but Joe Cocker is also cool and this is a lovely youtube to take you, “Into the Mystic.” Enjoy...and start thinking of the three you might pick.