Keeping Our Balance

lithely we balance

in June 2025

find America 

“I’ve gone to look for America” on the Greyhound bus as Foxes and Fossils continue a search begun by Paul Simon almost sixty years ago.  “I’m empty and aching and don’t know why.”  Ride with me—harmonize with them.  The neon sign correctly beams “Delicious” over the drummer’s shoulders.  “And the moon rose over an open field.”  We look up.    

Let’s walk now, bus riders, and pay attention to “the sinuous tenacity of a tree.”  Poet Jane Hirschfield passes around a tray of “Optimism.”  Persistence, defeatism’s opposite, delivers.  “More and more I have come to admire resilience.”  Trees.  Shifting, turning, their faces follow the changing light.  Deep roots secure their growth.  We be trees.

Two journalists—truth and optimism

In her May 28th “Reflections on Travels,” Jennifer Rubin writes: “Other countries, much older than the United States, have gone through grim, even disastrous years, decades or centuries.  And yet in Europe, the spirit of liberal democracy (however imperfect) remains alive and well.  A sense of public good still thrives….”  Yes, nations worldwide carry on as we tumble through darkness, out of necessity forging strengthening unions without us.  But Rubin also realizes on her journey what the current US regime can’t destroy.  Our country’s cultural and scientific advances remain a vital part of the global fabric’s undergirding—liberalism, free thinking, and artistic expression endure and thrive.  As we protest in the streets and commit to election activism, our support for the arts and sciences must also rally.  “When America recommits to its values and international orientation, democratic allies will be there to anchor and fortify us.”  

“I am more heartened than I ever thought I’d be 100 days in.”  Rachel Maddow’s gotta-see May 9th interview with Stephen Colbert unlocks a reservoir of hope.  Legendary broadcaster and writer, Maddow neither hides despair nor minces words in her coverage of our reign of terror.  She acknowledges calmly to Colbert:  “We are in the midst of an attempted overthrow of the US government by the party in power.  We have American fascism for the first time in the White House.”  Still, she scrubs away fear with her confident outlook.  “The American public’s clarity of vision is the most valuable thing we’ve got.”  That clarity needs to protect journalists, the courts, and lawyers.  “This fight is our fight.”  Hold elected officials accountable.  “Stay engaged.”  The model truthteller of our time, Maddow insists and assures: “The American people are saying ‘no.’  The country is not having it.”  Ignominy’s heyday will end.    

Basketball  Baseball  Tennis

Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC anchor of “The Last Word,” was an executive producer and writer for the long running hit series “The West Wing.”  He closes his May 20th broadcast with an NBA basketball story, opening the slamdunk segment with a scene from the show’s first episode.  President Bartlet’s question “What’s Next?” becomes the motto of this fictional White House.  O’Donnell livens as he explains “the power and the lesson for our politics in the Celtics’ playoff loss to the New York Knicks.”  Though a Celtics fan, he shares that “something beautiful happened” at Madison Square Garden in the Knicks’ playoff series final game victory. “Fierce competitors hugged, total respect in both directions,” O’Donnell grins.  The hugging, between members of two professional basketball teams, is the lesson.  Celtics player Jaylen Brown teaches us all in his postgame interview that we must “learn the habit of looking forward to what’s next.”  O’Donnell insists that politics must be played precisely the same way.  Accept losses with grace and look forward to the future.

White Sox baseball fan

Pope Leo by video

speaks on June 14th

Never racquet bashing or umpire lashing—neither temper tantrums nor taunting gestures.  Always kind and humble—ever gracious in victory and defeat.  Beloved by groundskeepers and custodians—also ball kids and lines callers. Winner of 14 French Open titles on the red clay of Stade Roland Garros, his first championship coming in 2005, Rafael Nadal returns for a celebration of this inconceivable, unrepeatable feat.  His jubilant retirement on May 25th, held on Court Phillippe-Chatrier, marks his 15th win.  Chanting, cheering, singing fans, all decked out in their “Merci, Rafa” t-shirts, include Roger Federer’s dad, Robert.  His dad also cheers as Rafa’s three greatest rivals, Roger along with Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, honor him with their surprise stroll onto the court.  More hugging!  Rafa speaks: “We showed the world how to fight in a good way. That all of you are here means everything to me.  A great message to the world – best friends with best rivalries.”  Loving rivals—what a match!  “Tennis is just a game.  At the end now it is all about being happy.  We will continue doing positive things for our sport.  Make beautiful things together.  Thank you very much for everything.”  Watch his farewell walk around the court, thanking the fans thanking him, his joy and gratitude.

Soft rhymes—light times  

Well-worth the time-travel hearing from 13th century Persian poet Rumi that “Your Laughter Turns the World to Paradise.”  A budding flower cuddles in the ground and “its hidden smile opens to a laugh that / lasts a lifetime.”  Like grateful athletes, we laugh whether winning or losing.  Love and laughter sing a duet: “I have a heart of sunlight.”

Put down your backpack on a Canyon Creek trail in California and ask with poet William E. Stafford “How to Regain Your Soul.”  He sighs with the pine trees as thousands of white butterflies dance in bright sun.  If your heart accepts the canyon’s pull, anything can happen.  Accept.  Pulled.  Butterflies.  IT happens.  Your heart “then shines back through the white wings / to be you again.”

Being you again, no more “feeling ’bout half past dead.”  Now’s the time for you and Fanny to “take a load off.”  All their strings and bows synced, Gillian Welch and Old Crown Medicine Show lift “The Weight” off us.  Finger magic—vocal delight.  Oh, grin and shake their hands—lo, Miss Fanny sends “regard for everyone.”

Exuberance to go.  “Fly Me to the Moon” sings Cynthia Erivo as Herbie Hancock’s piano kisses her voice.  “Fill my heart with song / And let me sing forevermore.”  Crooning among celestial stars, Erivo leaves the audience starstruck.  An orchestra climbs aboard her flight.  Horns.  Drums.  Erivo.

white-winged butterflies

moonlit hearts flushed with sunlight

laughing with Fanny