The Art of Losing isn't Hard to Master

I memorized the poem One Art by Elizabeth Bishop back when I was dating. It was nice to have on hand during break ups. But during the holiday season, when so much seems focused on getting and having, I like to think of it. I've found it especially poignant this year as I've recently seen my life change rather dramatically, having lost in some sense, parts of my old life with the birth of Reuben. To my surprise and joy the loss has really been no disaster.


One Art
by Elizabeth Bishop

The art of losing isn't hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.

Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.

I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.


--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.

Gift Idea

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Hip Hip Hooray!

Reuben and I were excited to attend my mother's graduation ceremony yesterday. She's worked incredibly hard the last few years to earn her Masters of Nursing degree. She is an amazing example. I hope I can be like her when I grow up.

Away Down South in Dixie

Reuben grew large enough to fit his camo coat just in time for his trip to SC! We're leaving tomorrow morning and I'm so excited I've been singing Dixie to him all day. Every so often, out of guilt, I slip in The Battle Hymn of the Republic or Yankee Doodle to break things up. I know technically I already live South of the Mason-Dixon line but it doesn't feel like it. No boiled peanuts anywhere and that is a sad sad thing. So we're going to go away WAY down South in Dixie.

On a side note, I just learned that Dixie was written by an Ohioan in New York City for a Minstrel show. How ironic. Here's the source.

One Month

Reuben is one month old now. In one month he's learned how to smile, grown some cheeks and begun to bald. He's really embracing the aging process.

Encounters at the End of the World Trailer

Aaron and I watched Encounter at the End of the World this weekend. I LOVED it. I want to live in Antarctica!

Deranged Penguin - Encounters at the end of the world

This was one of my favorite scenes. Werner Herzog has a real gift for phrasing questions. I love that he qualifies penguin insanity as NOT having delusions as Napoleon Bonaparte. Still, hilarious and tragic at the same time. I loved this movie. I can't stop watching it.