What if … ?
Secret Garden 5
Here, between the hedges,
snakes the maze.
We can see the entrance.
We know where the exit lies.
We can even see each other
on our separate paths,
but we can’t come close
unless we break the rules.
Faced by constantly forking paths
we play the “What if … ?” game.
There are no answers,
just a series of trials and errors
where right and wrong
are paths we may, one day,
be forced to choose.
Forced:
for we cannot stand here
motionless.
Sun travels sky,
casts shadows long over
labyrinth and lawn.
Fish rise to flies on the lily
pond and life slips slowly by
as we ponder each decision,
over and over.
Time’s up.
The uniformed keeper
moves toward us.
Jumping low hedges,
we meet, hold hands,
and hurry to the exit.
Behind us,
the keeper smiles.
He rakes our foot
prints from the path.
The gates click closed.
Comment:
Fifty years ago today, Clare arrived in Canada. A friend drove me to Malton Airport, as it was then, and we waited for her to clear Customs and Immigration. While waiting, I played the “What if …?” game. “What if she’s not on the plane? What if she doesn’t like the apartment I’ve rented? What if she no longer likes me? What if she hates it here? What if she wants to go home?” So many questions stormed through my head. There were no answers, just a series of trials and errors where right and wrong were paths we chose; and we chose to get married, to stay, and to make Canada our home. Fifty years later, to the day, the “What if … ?” game goes on. The playing field has changed, the game rules are different, it’s a whole new ball game … yet we still ponder each decision, over and over. We have changed, both of us, over the last fifty years together. Changed, yes, but deep down we are still the same, for some things never change. And we are happy to keep it that way. Oh yes: and we still hold hands.
That you still hold hands says everything! Thanks for sharing this, Roger.
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So good to see you back on the blog, Tanya. You have been away for a bit and I have missed you. Blessings!
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It was a busy weekend. Brian arrived back from college! I missed you as well.
Have a wonderful day, Roger!
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That explains lots of things. I bet you are glad to see him home. Make it a great holiday season! Double blessings!
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Very happy! Thank you, Roger. The happiest of holidays to you and Clare also!
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Dear sir.i congratuate u for u both still hold d hands and be together.yeah,time is failed to separate true beloved.wonderful game-What if….?nice written.
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Still together, still holding hands … fifty years .. thanks for commenting … we have been blessed.
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I m glad to hear dis.bless ur love.
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What if, what if? Oh those questions are my torture! At least because I usually ask them in retrospect, ‘what if I had done this instead of that?’ I love these trips down memory lane, Roger! And I’m glad (bit not surprised) that you still hold hands. ✨💖✨
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Hi Meg: thanks for being here on this oh-so-propitious day. The “What-if … ?” game is one we all play. It’s a waste of time really. We make choices and we live by the results of those choices, whether we want to or not. Think well and clearly before deciding, and then forget all about it. I have been reading up on my existentialism, as you can see. I am two-thirds of the way through At the Existentialist Café and enjoying it immensely. I think I will re-read Simone Beauvoir: The Second Sex next. Best wishes, Roger.
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I will have to add that book to my growing pile. I feel like I have so little time to read lately! I must remedy that…. As soon as the novel is finished! Enjoy the rest of the day!
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Fire in the insert and icy rain outside. All wet, cold, and slippery. Nobody seems to be moving and many of the churches were closed this morning. Yuck: but champagne later, ‘cos we’re celebrating!
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Oh, lovely! Slainte or salud 🍾
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Iechydd Da! But Salud goes well, too.
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I’ll add that to my repertoire of ‘cheers’ 😀
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It’s tried and true. Good health in Welsh.
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