Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Sometimes I prefer questions to answers.

Photograph courtesy of Christopher Parsons

I dreamed this,
does that mean it didn't happen?
Does it have to happen in the world to be real?

-excerpt from the poem Castile from the book Vita Nova by Louise Glück
Posted by Denise | Chez Danisse at 5:39 PM
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18 comments:

  1. kateAugust 17, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    When my son is particularly pensive he'll look at me and ask, "Mom, can you really tell me this isn't all just a dream?"

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  2. Stacy G.August 17, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    I'm such a nerd. This reminds me of the latest Harry Potter movie, when Harry asks Dumbledore, "Is this real? Or is this all happening in my head?" And D replies, "Of course it's happening in your head. Why should that mean it isn't real?"

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  3. nadine paduartAugust 17, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    i did go and read the poem.
    the encumbering dream.
    and alice. always.
    ;)
    n♥

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  4. MiseAugust 18, 2011 at 1:38 AM

    It's a lovely photo, and I think the dreams are as real as the rest of it to ourselves and to our interactions with the tenuous 'real' reality.

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  5. Michele | Cooking At HomeAugust 18, 2011 at 3:39 AM

    Where would we be without our dreams?

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  6. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 5:00 AM

    your hair looks great:-) i like the post...but, your hair!

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  7. amelia from z tasty lifeAugust 18, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    I like having 2 lives: dream and reality, makes for a doubly enriching experience. I don't think I could tolerate reality without dreams...

    “For all life is a dream, and dreams themselves are only dreams.” Pedro Calderon de la Barca

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  8. KatrinaAugust 18, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    such dreamy light in this photograph. it feels like autumn to me...

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  9. TracyAugust 19, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    I am intrigued. You're picture is begging for a tap on the shoulder.

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  10. MariaAugust 19, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    oh this post is so beautiful!

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  11. Rachael | The Slow-Cooked SentenceAugust 20, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    That is quite a poem and with so many beautiful images and questions. Thank you for sharing Louise Gluck, for I went on to read more of her poetry and love some of them more than Castile ... "Happiness" and "Lullaby" and ... Anyway, I also agree w/Tracy: I watch the photo waiting for you to turn and look at me.

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  12. Anna EmiliaAugust 21, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Many times I think that dreams are part of my days. True or not, they still keep my mind busy.

    Beautiful words Denise. An evening tea was spent here.

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  13. LeciawpAugust 22, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    I used to think thoughts like that all the time when I was a kid.

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  14. nancy at good food mattersAugust 22, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    wonderful poem. it all happens somewhere, at some level of experience. what is the true reality? we are told that this physical life is all illusion, too, the grand dream.

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  15. Denise | Chez DanisseAugust 22, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    kate, You have a thoughtful son. I wonder how you answer.

    Stacy, Good question.

    n, I really liked the entire book. I've gone and picked up a new one, but have only just begun.

    mise, "as real as the rest of it" -- I like that.

    Michele, It is difficult to imagine.

    melissa, Oh, thanks...

    Amelia, You've reminded me of something, I believe it was Anaïs Nin who said, "We write to taste life twice, in the moment, and in retrospection." Between the dreams and the writing life should feel pretty rich.

    Katrina, It does feel like autumn, perhaps this is because we don't experience a stereotypical summer here along the Northern California coast.

    Tracy, Boo!

    Maria, thank you.

    Rachael, It was a wonderful book and I'm exploring more of her work as well. I'll look for "Happiness" and "Lullaby". It would be nice if you and Tracy were behind me. I'd happily turn around and then we could go on a walk together and chat.

    Anna, Why not allow the dreams to intermingle with the reality. It makes for a more interesting life.

    Lecia, I recall believing my kindergarten teacher was going to take my class from Chicago to China during our 1/2 day session. My mother tried to warn me, but I wouldn't believe her. I was crushed when we stayed in our classroom and ate little bowls of white rice.

    nancy, True reality? Hmmm. I don't have the answer, but I think I'm okay with that. Perhaps it is the grand dream.

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  16. graciaAugust 23, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    I'm all for questions. So open. So much to ponder. Thanks for asking.

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  17. Denise | Chez DanisseAugust 29, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    gracia, Yes. The questions are often more interesting than the answers.

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  18. Denise | Chez DanisseSeptember 1, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    Rachael, I found both poems you mentioned. Excellent selections.

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