Spring bouquets, random flowers plucked and trimmed
tucked in glass vases half full, tap water warnings of pharma cocktails
only traces though, races through green veins, photosynthesis at work
the violet blooms erupt from tight buds, scarlet on dove white
sun dazzled heads slowly droop, and hang, like empty withdrawal symptoms
for a moment they were brilliant, alive
In this town women walk at night—
Alone. The river glows with Van Gogh’s black blue hues
Twinkling on ripples of a star kissed sky
I cannot imagine locking myself away
From the night air that feels like freedom must taste
In the mouths of men. I cannot
Imagine closing my eyes to the midnight bells
That mark the deepest hour of night
A new day, draped in night’s cape
Wrap my bare shoulders, not with angry hands
Or tongues that lash foul thoughts to my skin
But wrap them in the black veil you mistook as your own
And I will claim the night with my high-heeled monument
Erected by monthly blood-spilled miscarriages
Of justice. In this town women walk at night—
Alone.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Hold them tight this Christmas and cherish the small moments. Sometimes they pass by unnoticed, but these quiet happenings feed the soul.
Visiting the city of Manchester is a visual treat for lovers of historic buildings. The blend of new and old architecture perfectly juxtaposes the modern age with days gone by. Yet as impressive as some of the new builds are, I am drawn to the timeless beauty of the dreamy, modern take on Gothic architecture of the Beyer Building located on the University of Manchester’s quad, which has stood tall for over a century.
The ivy covered walls and grand entrances harken to an age of firsts: the world’s first industrialized metropolis, the world’s first railway line, one of the world’s first stored-program computers (“Baby”), one of the first suffragettes and law graduates (Christabel Pankhurst), one of the first female medical graduates (Catherine Chisholm), and so many more. Manchester is a historic city beautifully preserved in the midst of a lively, modern metropolis. I can’t wait to return for another stroll among the sleeping giants that housed England’s industrialized and feminist past.
Contemplating 2023 like the woman in Picasso’s painting…which book will I choose from my TBR pile to read first? Some decisions take time (and liquid courage) to make!
After looking over the many books waiting for my attention that I absolutely look forward to cracking open, I’ve chosen Karl Ove Knausgaard’s highly acclaimed novel, My Struggle, as my first read of 2023.
Raising a glass to all the book lovers out there, may your first read of 2023 be one to remember for many years to come!
Happy New Year!
Millions of people around the world bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II watching the historic funeral in the comfort of their homes. Some shed a tear, others shared poignant stories of her life, but all who watched witnessed the passing of a monarch who reigned far longer than any could have imagined when she was crowned at just 26 years old. ‘Thank you for your service,’ many proclaimed as her coffin passed them by after they stood on the streets for hours overnight waiting for a mere glimpse of her funeral procession. Being able to watch all this as it happened live in central London from the comfort of my warm bed, I was amazed at the outpouring of love and respect for the queen by her subjects young and old. At nearly a hundred years old she was still mourned, what a lovely sentiment. May we all live to such a privileged age and be missed when we finally pass. RIP dear Lizzy, and may your progeny learn from your grace.
Summer is here, the first true post-Covid summer that brings with it relative ease of travel, with no official pre- or post-arrival PCR testing required, but the anxiety from the last few years remains, a siren’s muted warning beneath the calm. I still wore my mask in crowded indoor spaces: the metro, trains, museums, and even the loo, but all went well. Smoothly even. I love traveling, like most people, but when the obstacles outweigh the benefits, it’s easier for my mental health to remain at home, listening to music, writing, reading, and dreaming about a future travel plan with little work involved to get there.
Traveling last week to visit friends in southern France was a dream. The lines weren’t too long, people were patient, and there was an air of tolerance thrumming beneath each of us, holiday-goers and -makers alike. The world seems to be getting back on track, but with a better mindset, open and welcoming. It was so nice to experience what felt like a new normal. Best wishes to everyone braving summertime travel, may your journey be filled with ease and your destination be full of happy moments to last a lifetime.
Mary Lynn Bracht 