A sunny, midwinter Sunday with nothing to do and nowhere to go. So..
Have you ever read a poem that seemed to be written just for you? This is such a poem and it speaks to me in my late husband’s words. How often did he ask me to put down a book to see something he wanted to share or to tell me something he thought I should like to hear?
Several years ago (11 to be exact) I came across this poem from James Rainsford. It seemed to be written just for me:
“Please put down that book you’re reading now
and gently close its pages.
So no harm shall come to damage its cold thoughts.
Look up. Please, look up and see
what little there is left of me where you felt loved.“
© James Rainsford – Author, poet, photographer.
Thank you, James, for giving me permission to reprint your poem on my blog some 11 years ago.
Since that time I have read many of his poems and every one is special. Click here to read more of his work.
“James says he is “a one time merchant-seaman, teacher, lecturer, salesman, company director, mushroom farmer, philosopher and inveterate reprobate. Now trying (not too hard) to become a modern “Renaissance Man” pursuing the questionable consolation of writing, photography””
It was almost like the Roberta Flack song ‘Killing me softly with his song” and the words ” He sang as if he knew me in all my dark despair”. I do think James knew what it was like to be where I was after my husband died.
So those are my thoughts for today. Oh and the definition of speculation according to the OED – is the act of forming opinions about what has happened or what might happen without knowing all the facts.
Today’s quote is from Wayne Dyer, American self-help advocate, author, and lecturer. 1940-
“Be miserable. Or motivate yourself.
Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice. “
And from Judith Baxter –
No matter how dark the night we know that whatever happens,
the sun will rise tomorrow and then all the shadows
will be chased away.”
Judith Baxter 1938 –
24 July, 2022
A World Apart 
Reblogged this on A World Apart and commented:
Thinking thoughts again
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Reblogged this on I choose how I will spend the rest of my life and commented:
Thinking thoughts in the sunshine
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Every night my husband asks me to look up from my phone and watch a sports highlight on the news as he tells me the play by play. Thank you for making me realize I will one day miss a “hat trick” during baseball or is that hitting for the cycle??? Hugs
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Oh my friend one day you may wish to hear your husband ask you to look up at something he is watching on TV or something he would like you to see. 24 years later I still miss that on
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Yes, I thought of your poem last night as he was breaking down last night’s financial news. He has a gift of dumbing down complicated subjects so you feel smart and I will definitely miss that!
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My word.
Very touching.
Going over to visit him now.
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I found that poet quite by mistake all those years ago but keep going back to re-read him. I hope you enjoy him as much as I do
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This is so true. Hubby is constantly asking me to see something on TV. I don’t like TV and I’m busy but I must remember that I may miss that one day and not get annoyed. Thanks for the reminder.
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Oh how I would love to hear Bob say that to me just one more time. Just take extra care of each other because you don’t know what tomorrow may bring.
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This is so touching Judith, and now I start my day in gentleness and consideration. Oh, and looking at the definition of the word speculation, I think that’s without facts describes a lot of our news coverage today. You are now off to have a lovely night sleep and I am just rising here at north of 43. Sweet dreams!
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I do hope it was a good day
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Your own quote reminds me of telling my kids when they were growing up and upset about something that things would look better in the morning. / I agree that disagreeing on anything is not worth losing
a relationship. / One of my sisters told me as a young bride that sometimes you may need to agree to disagree. Very helpful advice! You gave me lots to think about today!
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Thank you Lois. I agree that sometimes it is necessary to agree to disagree. I must say when I was young and newly married, I had no idea what that meant. Take care
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“No matter how dark the night we know that whatever happens,
the sun will rise tomorrow and then all the shadows
will be chased away.”
You say it well, dear Judith. The knowledge, that there is going to be light in the morning, gives me hope, that while I am alive, I can still enjoy life, even though there is no close partner near me anymore who wants to share his life with me . . . .
Stay safe, dear Judith!
HUGS, Uta from the Illawarra, in Australia 🙂
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Oh my dear friend. How we miss those hugs from the person who wanted to spend his life with us. Alas it is not to be. But we do have those lovely memories to remind us of what we have had and what we have shared.
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