Sunday, May 14, 2006

For Natalia’s Trip

Dark brown soil you smell
tangible as a childhood
dress, the swing has changed
but that doesn't matter
old and new is all there
the life you know
from remembered to forgetful -
everything gathers together
like raspberries in an old bowl
at the dacha.

6 comments:

Pat Paulk said...

Excellent send off Russell!!

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Pat! She's going into what I tell my students is the bubble. It is the space we create around reality filled with emotions and memories which change the very substance of experience (what Hume alluded to as sensation). I know she will have a wonderful time. I hope the regrets will be minimal. I understand how great a pleasure this can be as I live in something similar to her particular bubble.

Sue hardy-Dawson said...

we carry some things and others we choose to take with us, the summer rain always reminds me of the excitement of childhood, when nothing is mundane. going back is like looking at black and white photos, you want to wipe them clean and see all the colours

Russell Ragsdale said...

Yes Sue, those colors are always with us because we know they were there. Reality is the black and white photos about which we make up some kind of story so that we can see what we were looking for. The wild west wind can carry an ode and the summer rain is wet with urgency and motion (I love your summer rain, by the way).

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful. I hope she has seen it.

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Aurora! I originally posted it as a comment on shoot. I hope she has a great trip.