43 Comments
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Spyro Rondos's avatar

This is beautiful and provocative, Susie, although I have to quibble with the blurb that accompanies your bio. It is not "delightful." Thankfully, it is more than that.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thanks for writing, Spyro. Can you help me to find that word "delightful" so I can find something more appropriate? Appreciate your support.

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Spyro Rondos's avatar

I haven't slept for days thinking about this. "Lovely?" "Panegyric?" "August?" Many more sleepless nights ahead, I'm afraid. I like your writing.

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Leigh Amiot's avatar

I’m a little late for this party, but wanted to give kudos for capturing what I am just beginning to notice. One recent morning, the sun’s rays shone beautifully through the trees Hurricane Helene hadn’t toppled, and it wasn’t until I consulted what I sometimes refer to as “the brain”—my iPad—to rediscover a descriptive word for those rays, one which is also a delight to say—crepuscular. Yes, that’s it! Where was it hiding?

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

You're never too late, Leigh. I'm also very fond of crepuscular.

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Stella Fosse's avatar

I hear you, Susie. I keep thinking of the Leonard Cohen quote, "Ring the bells that still can ring." Harder to do as the ones that ring become fewer. But maybe that's the point: The courage to keep going, knowing the outcome. (Am sure I'll sound more optimistic once I finish radiation therapy.)

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Maybe there's a new music in those bells that you/I wouldn't have heard before.

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jen parker's avatar

Very beautiful. And hardly seems the writing of a foggy-brained person ;)

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thank you, Jen. I seem to need this kind of encouragement...and why not? I rely on the kindness of strangers.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

No more lamenting the continuous

Never changing of the always changing

Looking back and missing the now

This is terrific! ...the continuous Never changing of the always changing.... Much appreciate your sending this.

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liliane aberman's avatar

I was totally taken by this beautiful piece of writing on aging. Thank you!

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I'm gratified to hear from you, Lilliane. We are so many and so often misunderstood.

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Jim Sanders's avatar

Aging

How is it intimate

To share the ignominious

Withering of the body facade

With the dribbling

Of the corpus sea water while

Counting the red and blue webs

Stricken on the pale

Isn't it better to look

Into the eyes of the dark seducer

And without blink of nerve

Kiss her full on the mouth

No more lamenting the continuous

Never changing of the always changing

Looking back and missing the now

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Peggy Braun's avatar

You will find my reflections on aging very similar but not in writing style. Didn't know we had so much in common. Fortunately, there are happier things we also have in common, such as the love of honking geese.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I'm waiting with great expectations to see your piece.....But for now, I don't see my writing as unhappy. I imagine we have somewhat different experiences based on where we're at on the timeline.

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Dr Dorree Lynn's avatar

With appreciation. Lovely.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thank you for spending some time with my words.

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Daryl Solomonson's avatar

Susie, well written! It describes how I feel some days. I need fresh air to get by it.

Thanks

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thank you, Daryl. We are all breathing the same air.

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Mariam Pal's avatar

Thank you for this beautiful and thought-provoking essay.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thank you, Mariam, for the time you've taken with my writing.

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Elaine Kalman's avatar

Thought-provoking and inspiring. Thank you.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Every day creation is renewed, the tradition says. Glad to be here with you.

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Pat Mayberry's avatar

Beautifully said

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I really appreciate your reading my work, Pat.

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Lin Morency Buckland's avatar

Dear Susie. What a wonderful essay expressing the beauty and dismay of living a long life. The reminder that we are all part of a natural world teeming with cycles and regeneration - and viruses and oceans and joyful noises - is right on. An excellent choice of nouns and verbs. Thank you!

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

It touches me that you include viruses among the many life forms. Part of what plagues us, I think, is our tendency to center ourselves in creation.

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Lana harper's avatar

You have just lifted the weight on my shoulders a little. Among the many ailments my husband is experiencing this morning is severe back pain. He had covid 10 days ago. It never occurred to me that this could be a consequence. Unfortunately, there is no view of nature from the 4th floor Westmount residence to help the cure. Thank you for sharing.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Are there memories of the natural world you can access? I grew up on the 14th floor of an apartment building off Broadway in Manhattan so I'm just acquiring this knowledge late in life. Thanks for reading.

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Avivah Wittenberg-Cox's avatar

this is gorgeous Susie! Journeying right along behind, applauding the music you make and the presence you gift.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

So good to hear from you, Avivah. As you have written so powerfully, every age has its work cut out for it. It's a blessing to know that and dive into it, isn't it?

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