Humor Raisin

 

 Humor. Just another tasty ingredient in Hermit Cookies.

Reflections

In Japan, dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness, and they often appear in art and literature, especially haiku. In ancient mythology, Japan was known as Akitsushima, which means ‘Land of the Dragonfly’.

I wrote a haiku.

Captured forever
Dragonfly in amber,
Golden memory.

More dragonfly haiku at Natures Echo Haiku series. If you have an idea for a haiku, write me a comment.

Dragonfly In Amber

We are obsessed with time. We have appliances and gizmos to save time. We are encouraged to spend time wisely, time heals all wounds or wounds all heels, time is money, time flies, killing time until it kills you, life's like an hourglass, glued to the table. There are even those who have chronomania. The hurry up disease of attempting to burn the candle at both ends. Faster, faster, faster! Whatever we try to do, it’s all in the hopes of stopping time. Libera me, domine, de morte aeterna, deliver me, o Lord, from eternal death. Kurt Vonnegut wrote, ‘Here we are, trapped in the amber of the moment.’ Since eviction from the garden, man has sought immortality. My son has bestowed that on me. I am a dragonfly in amber.

Dragonflies are inhabitants of two realms - a watery birth then metamorphosis to an airy death. The eggs hatch in water and a nymph emerges to grow and develop. They are short and chunky with a crusty hump on their backs, Odonata mini-Quasimodo. This portion of the dragonfly life cycle can take up to four years to complete. The nymph will complete the metamorphosis into a dragonfly by crawling out of the water, shedding it’s skin and emerging as a young dragonfly. They maneuver incredibly sensitive iridescent wings in the slightest breeze. Dashing, darting, hovering and vibrating over the waters all the while hunting for food.

I admit his childhood was not easy as I worked out my own dysfunctional template, imprinting a new generation with faulty traditions. My son was a defiant and difficult child. I only knew one way to handle him. Fossilized in his memory, I am the angry woman married to an alcoholic on the cusp of divorce. Life isn't measured in minutes, but in moments, and he chose this one to preserve.

It saddens me, the looking back through amber colored glass, but I am not left without hope. Dragonflies are a symbol of the sense of self that comes with maturity. Alis volat propiis, She flies with her own wings. I have gained insight, become peaceful, and reconnected with my son. Dragonflies have about 30,000 facets to their compound eyes, giving them nearly a 360° field of vision. A circle. I honestly feel like I've come full circle and my heart is finally in the right place. Adult dragonflies live a short life, about two months, and it knows it must live to the fullest with what it has. This lesson is huge for each of us. We become our best when the life we have left is the shortest.

Reflections

College student Ming takes off on his bike for a seven-day trip to circle the island of Taiwan, relying on his wits and the kindness of strangers along the way. A lyrical film composed of random encounters and small moments, ISLAND ETUDE, captures that romantic period in life when one is free to roam and seek adventure. Ming never gives any real reason for his trip other than that he would never be able to do it if he doesn't seize the chance now, and he simply leaves it at that, for the joy of internal satisfaction. As much as it sounds like a cliché, the audience is left to focus on the journey rather than the destination.

Living in a desert, I appreciate the greenery, the frequent raindrops on pavement and roof, and the ocean waves as Ming bikes along the coastline. My favorite moment is of a family sharing a picnic with Ming. The father quotes from a story I treasure.

"In the morning the sun’s golden rays glitter on the ocean. Thousands of seagulls came out for food, fighting over a tiny fish or bread crumbs. Shrieking and shouting, no one would budge. Jonathon was disgusted by it. He left them behind, practicing flying alone, pursuing an ideal.

The daughter asks, ‘Dad, what are you reciting?’

He names the book telling her she will read it in the sixth grade. He continues, ‘Jonathon is a very special seagull. He’d rather be alone pursuing his ideal. Practices alone. Ignores others ridicule. His only hope is to fly higher, farther and with style.

This is a visually restful movie. One should seize the chance to be like Ming. Watch this movie for no other reason than internal satisfaction.