Hope
A favorite four-letter word...
“Hope springs eternal!” I’ve had this thought on repeat this week, to remind myself that, throughout life’s wild roller coaster ride, hope has a way of popping up—often when least expected. Sometimes, hope is a newborn baby (thank you, Dimitri!)—sometimes, it’s reaching a rather more advanced age, and discovering that I can still laugh. Here’s my take on the current state of various body parts…”hope” you enjoy…
ESSAY: A FAREWELL TO (YOUTHFUL) ARMS
VIDEO: HOPE
Baby sea turtle Aqua makes a perilous journey toward the ocean (which is his only hope of survival) in this really special short video. Have a tissue handy!
Here are two more lovely works about, and both titled, “Hope.”
Lisel Mueller’s poem inspires me to just look around me to find “the genius that invents the future, all we know of God…”
POEM: Hope by Lisel Mueller
It hovers in dark corners
before the lights are turned on,
it shakes sleep from its eyes
and drops from mushroom gills,
it explodes in the starry heads
of dandelions turned sages,
it sticks to the wings of green angels
that sail from the tops of maples.
It sprouts in each occluded eye
of the many-eyed potato,
it lives in each earthworm segment
surviving cruelty,
it is the motion that runs the tail of a dog,
it is the mouth that inflates the lungs
of the child that has just been born.
It is the singular gift
we cannot destroy in ourselves,
the argument that refutes death,
the genius that invents the future,
all we know of God.
It is the serum which makes us swear
not to betray one another;
it is in this poem, trying to speak.
Musical theatre composer Jason Robert Brown wrote this song, and plays piano in this video. “Hope” is gorgeously sung by Brian Stokes Mitchell.
“Fear never wins—that’s what I hope…see, I said ‘hope.’ The work begins…”
SONG: “Hope” by Jason Robert Brown
BOOK: PIANO LESSONS BY NOAH ADAMS
I first picked up this delightful book many years ago, because I was a fan of “All Things Considered” co-host (and esteemed broadcast journalist) Noah Adams. It chronicles his efforts to learn to play piano as an adult—specifically, “Träumerei” by Robert Schumann, which Adams hopes to perform as a surprise for his wife Neenah. At the time I too was attempting to play piano, with Sheridan as my ever-patient teacher. Well, I was a major flop (who knew you actually needed to PRACTICE?) But I still love Piano Lessons (the book at least). A warm and charming read!
BLOG PREVIEW: (POTATO) CHIP ON MY SHOULDER
In which I discuss the humble snack item I rarely eat, because instead of a solitary chip, I tend to consume gazillions. I write about “potato chip” people, and the fact that in the UK, chips are crisps and fries are chips (which I believe is why we rebelled against King George III.) Over at “Working Title,” we’re taking a deep dive into a giant-size bag!
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
Brother David (whose website www.grateful.org is a true gem) challenges us to imagine—to hope for—a world filled with brave, calm, open and loving people (THIS world). Can we take a step in that direction this week, my friends? I’m right there with you!