Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. 4:34 PM.
Today is the 123rd day of this year.
Michelle
It began last night – in a way. I was in bed and it was still dark very early in the morning.
I saw a flash of light in the darkness. My eyes may have been closed, too.
And still I saw a brief light.
I wondered what it was.
After it happened a second time I got out of bed.
And stood before the window – just watching.
I saw a brief flash of lightning.
Not a thunderbolt.
And there was no sound.
Heat lightning – it might be called.
An electric charge exchange between those lonesome clouds up in the sky.
Maybe the clouds are making love.
And today, I walked to Stop & Shop.
I often think of Michelle.
I saw her there today.
Didn’t say a word, though.
She seems to be avoiding me.
So, I just let her be.
Nothing else I can do.
********
Sometimes I feel like a chimney swift.
I recall as a youngster living on Sweet Avenue in Woonsocket . . .
Across the street was the very elderly Mr. Fortin’s house –- or Fountaine [I never knew for certain his name.] He lived alone. 85 Sweet Avenue. The widow Mrs. Houle lived across the street. She brought a meal to him every day.
And at dusk every evening in the Springtime and Summer, chimney swifts [small black birds] would be flying above the roof of his house and over Sweet Avenue after the sun went down in the quiet and peaceful evening sky. They maneuvered so fast and changed directions and went up and down so abruptly – and then – suddenly they would disappear into the chimney of his house again – their evening work was done. They had performed their sign in the lower heavens – for those who were looking for the signs from heaven.
The Beatles – Blackbird (lyrics)
The Beatles – Blackbird (lyrics) – YouTube
And then, after washing and rinsing some cups and bowls and utensils in the pantry dishpan, I sat down in a chair next to the window in the early evening – and did something for the first time in so long that I had forgotten I could do it. I began to whistle. And the sound reminded me of a bird chirping – a lively bird chirping swiftly – because of the Spirit in his little heart that made him for that very purpose.
The Andy Griffith Show *** The Opening Theme Song
The Andy Griffith Show *** The Opening Theme Song
Well, sometimes when I’m in my pantry making some little thing to eat – maybe just toast and then peanut butter on it – I move so quickly that my 73-year-old-hands and body can hardly keep up with the Spirit that’s moving me like a chimney swift. And sometimes, the Spirit moves in my mind like that — making my thoughts zoom so quickly like I was a young sparrow just leaving the nest for the first time and being amazed that I can fly like the wind – no longer bound by the nest in the tree – but just as free as the wind blows.
And other times I have imaginings of conversations. I had an imagining of a conversation with Michelle this evening. I can’t recall it now exactly as it happened. We were talking; and it was getting crazy/funny. Michelle was telling me to just be quiet.
Michelle: “Mark! Don’t say a word. Just kiss me. I mean it. Not one word. Did you hear me, Mark?”
Mark: “Yes.”
Michelle: “Not one word! Just kiss me!” So, I gently kiss Michelle’s cheek.
Michelle: “Not there, Mark – my lips.” So, I gently kiss your lips – just very briefly – like a sparrow. “Not like that, Mark – longer and a little more pressure – and put your arms around me – and hold me close. Make me feel that I’m in love with you, Mark.”
The Bellamy Brothers – Let Your Love Flow (Lyrics)
The Bellamy Brothers – Let Your Love Flow (Lyrics)
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
Auld Lang Syne(ออลด์แลงไซน์) (Th+Eng)
Auld Lang Syne(ออลด์แลงไซน์) (Th+Eng)
Pachelbel – Canon in D Major | Watch the Piano Hammers in Action
Pachelbel – Canon in D Major | Watch the Piano Hammers in Action – YouTube
Can’t Help Falling In Love – Cello & Piano Cover (Brooklyn Duo)
Can’t Help Falling In Love – Cello & Piano Cover (Brooklyn Duo)
Beauty And The Beast – Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson – Lyrics – HQ Sound
Beauty And The Beast – Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson – Lyrics – HQ Sound
Céline Dion – How Does A Moment Last Forever (from Beauty and the Beast) (Official Video)
Céline Dion – How Does A Moment Last Forever (from Beauty and the Beast) (Official Video) – YouTube
Mark's Imaginings 