34 thoughts on “Ambivalence”

1. That’s one rather eerie photo I have to say. Hope you had a lovely birthday – I do like the words
   “Blow candles out in
   One long breath?”

   1. Many thanks Jude – threw this one together at the end of what was a Happy Birthday so modified it a bit this morning though the tone does not change

2. “And still our babies gasp / On air and howl” I really like the parallelism between our first breath as a newborn, and our breath to blow out the candles (as we age…) Happy Birthday in any case!

   1. not to mention our last one! – thank you

      1. Yes!!

3. Um…happy birthday?

   1. Yes 😉 thank you

4. Thought provoking for sure Laura! Hope your Birthday was wonderful!! 🎉🌻

   1. It was both Carrie!

5. Love those last lines–great take on this photo.

   1. many thanks – I blame the image for what followed 😉

6. ‘Somewhat existentially rueful’ works beautifully here and Happy Birthday too!

   1. good to hear that Helen – much appreciation

7. Despite your ambivalence I hope it was a happy one. I wonder what life would be like if we never knew anyone’s age in years? (K)

   1. better still if we did not count our own years!

      1. So true.

8. It’s amazing how our emotions regarding birthdays can change over time. I used to love my birthday, but these days, it’s huh, so what. I a however, grateful to see another one. Happy Birthday Laura!

   1. hence the ambivalence Linda 😉

      1. Haha! Yes!

9. A wide range of emotion here!

   1. yes – a mixed bag

10. You’re not the only one that feels no need to celebrate. Oh the impact of that final bit! Hope your day was just the way you wanted it to be, Laura.

    1. thanks Lisa

       1. You’re welcome.

11. Yes, those last lines pack a punch. I take it you are at an age when the birthday thrill is long past. I barely acknowledge mine now.

    1. long in the tooth but not past celebrating

12. This is a dark involving contemplative poem, but honest and well written Laura — and Happy Birthday! 🙂

    1. thanks for that summation, Rob – and your good wishes

13. Oh my! A sobering read. I hope not all birthdays are like that. Great writing!

    1. all existentialist’s birthdays must be like this Charley 😉

14. Wishing you a good birthday, celebrated as you like it. And today I might be thinking about habits and what they serve.

    1. thank you- yes I wonder what all our token celebrations mean

15. ““And still our babies gasp / On air and howl”

    The first breath a baby takes, and the candles blown out. This is wonderful, Laura!

    1. thank you – a somewhat wry comparison but still the analogy seems overt

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