TRAVEL DIARY

A weblog regularly updated by Jodi Rose.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

11:28 PM
Posted by jodi rose

Happy Solstice!
winter or summer depending on your inclination

The town unveiled a christmas tree decorating competition on the weekend, favourites are the apples and breadsticks; snowmen made of crepe paper; and one entirely decorated in tiny disco balls. I bought four of them for my own tree - blue baubles with silver snowflakes, glittery blue and silver teardrops, huge blue star on top and wrapped with silver stars on a string. Not sure who won the best tree prize.

Snow quilting the neighbourhood this morning, although more a layer of slush now - hopefully there will be more before Sunday. First white christmas ever. Find myself singing along with the carols being piped out of huge speakers in the main square - even the panpipe versions.

Insomnia has me hooked in a late mornings, even later nights cycle which is getting me down, along with homesickness and regular end of year burn-out. Tried to get to bed early last night, then woke up and accidentally read all of zoé by dirk witternborn in one go. Was only meant to put me to sleep - but found the unfolding story of passion, the need to be needed, and the hollow clamour of success and celebrity fascinating. It's funny how glamorous and exciting a life can look from a distance, while to the person inside, nothing feels real. Really need happy endings just now.

back to Rilke, and what survives.
(courtesy of Gail)

What Survives
Who says that all must vanish?
Who knows, perhaps the flight
of the bird you wound remains,
and perhaps flowers survive
caresses in us, in their ground.

It isn't the gesture that lasts,
but it dresses you again in gold
armor - from breast to knees -
and the battle was so pure
an Angel wears it after you.

Translated by A. Poulin