Wednesday in Stratford

Yesterday we drove the 90 miles to Stratford, Ontario to see a matinee performance of King Lear.

Although we drove under some dark clouds that threatened enough rain for the storm scene in Act III, by the time we arrived, the sun came back for its encore.

After a picnic lunch, we watched the play.

We took a stroll along the river to look for swans before leaving for home, taking the slower, more scenic highway.

Redesigned my website

I've been working on a fresh look for my website for about a week.


It's now ready to unveil. Take a look:


http://barbaraetlin.com

Mystery Man

The Apollo 11 moon landing was on July 20, 1969, 45 years ago today.
Here is the villanelle I wrote about it.

Mystery Man

One small step can seem like almost nothing,

a quarter million miles for three to fly,

as we held our breaths to watch that first landing.

Four billion hopes--a planet's wondering

reflected in the mirror in the sky--

is one small step away from almost nothing.

Buzz followed you, while Mike was orbiting.

How could your tiny step not make us cry

as we breathlessly watched that first landing?

The media frenzy you found stifling,

a leap to fame that you would soon decry.

One small step can seem like almost nothing.

Who is this man? The press is suffocating.

Cocooned within your silence you just sigh,

and hope news will eclipse the first landing.

Mystery Man, no moon songs do you sing.

Can astronauts be brave, but also shy?

One small step that changes everything

at once. We exhale, hope for safe landing.

Copyright Barbara Etlin 2014, all rights reserved

From ANTIQUE PIANO & OTHER SOUR NOTES

by Barbara Etlin, Deco Owl Press.