Looking
Thank you, Robert Creeley.
Weekly Three
HEAR: Some mellow vibes from Hozier with “From Eden”
READ: The poem “Keeping Things Whole” by Mark Strand
VIEW: Lance Armstrong has been thoroughly demonized. It was interesting to watch this recent interview of an older, wiser Lance opening up about the past and the present.
No. 60: Looking
This week’s letter will be short and sweet. I’m inundated with things to do to get myself and the things that make up my life across the country — things like packing, getting my financials in order, getting insurance, selling stuff, etc etc etc. Hey, it’s part of the process.
There’s this poem I try to live by. It’s by a guy named Robert Creeley.
Here
What
has happened
makesthe world.
Live
on the edge,looking.
Short and sweet. Simple, but impactful. I want to live on the edge, looking. I don’t want to live in the comfortable place where all has already been established. I don’t want to dwell on and deal with the world as it’s made by the people that came before me. I want to make.
But that’s a lonely place, and a confusing one, too. In a way, it’s the price of entry. Finding solace and peace isn’t easy out on the edge. Being confident about anything is near impossible out there.
There’s nothing particularly virtuous about living on the edge, nothing nobler or braver than leading any other kind of life. All in all, it may be a pretty poor way to spend your time.
But it’s the last line of the poem that carries the meaning for me. . .
looking.
I’m looking out onto the horizon. Looking, like a sailor in the crow’s nest scanning the sea for sign of land. When you’re looking, there’s always something to be found. ♦
Mailbox
Regarding last week’s newsletter, “Illinoise”:
Noooo Matt!!! California losing a good one, shame. You packing up that quick? Gotta get one last chess game in before ya go! Enjoy the deep dish pizza.
- Josh
Chicago is a city I've only recently discovered. My wife and her family are from there but we didn't get back there in all these years we've been together until three years ago, last November.
It took someone dying (her Uncle Emil) for her to make one, two, and three trips back to help square away all the loose ends of Uncle Emil's life. I joined her on the third trip.
Chicago. What a joy it was to discover such a charming and inviting city. My family is New York born and bred. NYC has maintained ownership of "greatest city in the world" for most of my life. Chicago has now taken up residence in my personal pantheon of cities alongside that magnificent place.
If you've got to leave your beloved CA, Chicago will have more than enough to keep you intrigued. I'll look forward to hearing about the adventure in the months (years?) ahead. Bon voyage to you and Grace.
Best of luck and best wishes to you both.- Fred
Have a question or response? Hit reply. Write-ups and questions from readers will be published here each week