Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream."
"Propel, propel, propel your craft
Placidly down the liquid solution
Ecstatically, ecstatically, ecstatically, ecstatically
Existence is but an illusion."
The first song is a classic; the second, learned at Girl Scout camp.
The classic version brings to mind a serene Impressionist image of people enjoying their day on the river. I can see the parasols and boater hats right now, in a painting of muted yet sunny shades of blue and green and white.
The second version is harder on the tongue and brain. It sounds like a science and philosophy experiment colliding, propulsion meeting a state of ecstasy in an alternate universe.
There's a difference in the feelings of "row" and "propel". Rowing seems relaxing, while propelling seems to imply urgency, a need to move forward quickly--which doesn't jibe with the word "placidly" used in the camp version.
My dreams these days seem to be of the propulsion kind. Dreams of landing that library position, dreams of motivating my students to read and write and solve math problems, dreams of my own children's continuing success in school and college, dreams of major home overhauls, dreams of fitting into my skinny clothes again, dreams of finishing crochet projects in time, dreams of conquering my to-read pile...
My dreams are becoming a to-do list.
What happened to that meandering river of dreams?
I can so relate! My dreams quickly overwhelm me and turn into an ending list of things to do. I'm feeling the effect today of cramming too many things into the weekend.
ReplyDeletehttp://kaymcgriff.edublogs.org/2013/03/11/things-i-want-you-to-know/
We're on Spring Break here, and I've already drafted a to-do list for the week. Sigh...
DeleteWhat an appropriate post for a rainy day! Although, today is one of those days I would rather meander down a lazy river than propel myself anywhere.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish it was a rainy day here! Then I wouldn't feel quite so guilty about spending the day in my pjs! I am making progress on the crochet project and laundry, though.
DeleteI guess it's "just an illusion"?
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to think so, Donna...at least until retirement, which is at least a decade and a half away.
DeleteOur dreams inspire, comfort. Our inner vision is a unique mirror or should I say window to view our life.
ReplyDelete