Late and Soon

I have had a complicated couple of days and for some unknown reason have sought solace in 19th century poetry. That I would do so probably reveals layers upon layers of latent psychoses. Every form of refuge has its price.

I had an English Lit professor in college who was a huge fan of Wordsworth. I've ever since liked the phrase "The World is too much with us, here and now." Except when I look up the text of the poem, I discover it is "The World is too much with us, late and soon." So, for 30+ years, I have misremembered the key phrase of a classic poem. 

I digress. Another worthy turn of words: "So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn."  When depressed by shadows, one must seek all available sources of light.

Final romantic era poetry, by Longfellow:

In the great field of battle,

In the bivouac of life,

Be not like dumb driven cattle

Be a hero in the strife.

The complications of the weekend? 3 inches of rain (needed but accompanied by storms), caulked 2 bathtubs, painted 4 of 88 stair railings, quit painting when I realized I spent 30 minutes on just 4 of 88, spent a total of about 8 hours installing a new hard drive in a 4 year old computer, cleaned the gutters, spent $1,200 getting the 2 lights in our pool and spa repaired, delayed spending another $700 getting the heater repaired, realized I entered an online payment to my dad's insurance company of $24.83 as $2,483.00, left my Ipod touch and Klipsch headphones in the seatback cushion for seat 18D, flight 1905 on April 30 on American Airlines.

Right here, right now, the world is too much with me. The bright side? I read a great book which espoused 7 decisions each of us must make in order to achieve our potential:

1) The buck stops here.

2) Seek wisdom.

3) I am a person of action.

4) I have a decided heart.

5) Today I will choose to be happy.

6) I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.

7) I will persist without exception.

The concepts inspire the best of intentions. Attitudinal execution will take some work.

Motivation to do so in 20th Century Poetry:

Time passes and you must move on

Half the distance takes you twice as long

So you keep on singing for the sake of the song.