Happy Birthday, Brian, and thank you for giving us this poem. Once upon a time, when I crossed the middle, I sometimes thought I was lost and unnerved about moving forward, but then our daughter was born shortly before the Christmas that followed, and I discovered a whole new world full of heart and gladness that I'd never known before. Thanks for reminding me of that time.
Very lovely...Kids have a way of bringing clarity into life♥️, for sure. We only have a handful of years left before all of ours will be adults (at least by societies standards), and it’s interesting to think about being an example of what adulthood can be for these teenagers as they approach that time. I want to be a beautiful example for them but I also want it for myself. 🌿
It feels somewhat public me writing this, but your words help me here.
I have yet to discover that whole new world full of heart and gladness (it hasn't been able to happen for us, and we are left questioning why and whether it ever will), and I crossed into the middle this year, so it perhaps brings me some hope that it still can. 🧡
I’m not saying that world dawned upon me immediately with the crossing, but its arrival began then and it’s continued to deepen as each new year passes. I suspect the path it takes in its dawning is different for everyone but it comes. 😊
Sweet! I am hoping someone will remember to do something that you can do every year to make her feel special. I know how much you love her from what you have written- my dad put up a small Christmas tree every year & my birthday gifts were under that tree. It was a sweet gesture that I have never forgotten. I miss him every day even though he has been gone a long time. These memories are worth more than gold. ✌🏻😊
Brian, in your poem, I see you living on an energetic spiral of Time. Always expanding and growing, trying to control what deep down you know can only be experienced and savored. The wonder of it is what makes life so strange and beautiful. What a wild ride we are on as humans! I hope you'll be very kind to yourself and savor this new era. Like all the stanzas that have come before, this is such an essential part of your life's Poem.
Middle, equidistant from everything,
everything expands
and when walls walk
how can I measure a middle
how can I claim to command
a center where I stand the whole story.
Happy Birthday to you, Brian.
May this new year of Life be your most satisfying and creative year ever!
This moved me a lot, partly because of having transitioned into this 4th decade back in February.
This was a powerful poem. Maybe I'm just coming to appreciate poetry more now and learning a lot from you with these weekly poems alongside the Memory ones, or maybe I just resonate with this so much. (All your poems have been amazing, but this one has something special for me.)
It's quite playful at the start, especially with the alliteration. These are very clever, but also meaningful, lines. Then there's a transition to something more reflective and serious in the middle, which even questions what a middle is, and then we have a forward and hope-infused ending. The construction is very clever and makes me smiles. Your framing of "Mind me" makes me feel as though you are stepping in briefly to speak of what's on your mind.
Some lines I particularly loved:
middle is where I slumber when
mere melancholy manacles my mind
^"melancholy manacles" -- gasp! So good.
------
and when walls walk
how can I measure a middle
^my thoughts here turn to humans living longer and longer lives. The middle shifts. But also, given we don't know our own future, we thus don't truly know our middle.
------
of light made dust made stars
^beautiful.
Finally (sorry, long comment), I'm not sure if intentional, but there are many parts of this that I can read from bottom-to-top that hold equally wondrous meaning. "And when walls walk / everything expands"
Nathan, thanks for this reflection. It’s a gift to me, and makes me so happy that these poems have been a part of you discovering that poetry can have a place in your world! You are spot on with much of what I envisioned, including the 3 parts...stuckness (that’s not a word), transition, expansion. Here is to a new decade!
I distinctly remember middle aged people when I was a kid, they were in their forties or fifties and they acted like lazy putzes. On the other hand, my grandpa Paul and I were shingling a chicken coup roof when he was 84. He died ten years later and never hit "middle age"
So true Brian. His wife, my grandma Silvia, a 4'-10" (at her tallest) Swiss Italian who came here at 7 in 1904, lived to 99 and was totally sharp, with it and up to date. She got a little senile at 98 but she was never middle aged. Her mind was a razor.
Happy Birthday - don’t mind me I’m beyond the middle, I had to come back to wish you happiness on your journey to the middle! You made it! You reached midpoint. If I may join you I would love it as my journey from the middle to the other side has been a very long and arduous one!
May you have a joyful journey forth to the other side!
Thanks for your middle poem, it was quite enjoyable, happy birthday at your midlife, I’ve been in the middle way too long, middle class, mid everything, I’m trying to find an edge.loved your poem!!
40s have been my all time favorite. And all your illiterations made my soul so happy I can't even tell you. The middle is the place where I began to let go of certainties, especially those belonging to other people. It felt like I grew wings and suddenly didn't give a crap about anyone's opinions but my own. May it be true for you as well!
I’m also in my 40 s and I’m loving them! I have no rush to experience everything at the same time, but I still have the energy to be more selective when I want experience something. Which feels more intentional. It’s the middle! Full of possibility! Thank you Brian for sharing this poem!
You’re welcome! That’s an interesting statement...No rush to experience things, being more selective. I like that. I feel I’m often trapped in productivity mode and when I pause to do something for myself I have a hard time settling because I think I should be doing a different activity for enjoyment then the one I chose. 🤦
Now that you mention it, recognizing it reminds me to rest, as well. Problem is, I've recently realized the way I've always defined rest doesn't really work for me. Now I'm trying to figure out what actually replenishes my energy. Two things I've discovered so far: Reading excellent writing and listening to fascinating podcasts.
Happy belated birthday, Brian! Great poem too! I think someone else mentioned that too, I caught myself reading it again but upside down, I'm not sure why but it worked too.
A very beautiful poem, Brian. I turned 40 last week (joining the club along with Nathan and Simon, it seems), and your words really resonate. Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday, Brian, and thank you for giving us this poem. Once upon a time, when I crossed the middle, I sometimes thought I was lost and unnerved about moving forward, but then our daughter was born shortly before the Christmas that followed, and I discovered a whole new world full of heart and gladness that I'd never known before. Thanks for reminding me of that time.
Very lovely...Kids have a way of bringing clarity into life♥️, for sure. We only have a handful of years left before all of ours will be adults (at least by societies standards), and it’s interesting to think about being an example of what adulthood can be for these teenagers as they approach that time. I want to be a beautiful example for them but I also want it for myself. 🌿
"I want to be a beautiful example for them but I also want it for myself."
Being aware of that is what will serve you well.
Thank you for this comment, Paul.
It feels somewhat public me writing this, but your words help me here.
I have yet to discover that whole new world full of heart and gladness (it hasn't been able to happen for us, and we are left questioning why and whether it ever will), and I crossed into the middle this year, so it perhaps brings me some hope that it still can. 🧡
I’m not saying that world dawned upon me immediately with the crossing, but its arrival began then and it’s continued to deepen as each new year passes. I suspect the path it takes in its dawning is different for everyone but it comes. 😊
I was born shortly before Christmas as well! (21st)! Happy almost birthday to your daughter Paul!
Her birthday is December 22 which was also her great-grandmother’s birthday 100 years earlier.
Sweet! I am hoping someone will remember to do something that you can do every year to make her feel special. I know how much you love her from what you have written- my dad put up a small Christmas tree every year & my birthday gifts were under that tree. It was a sweet gesture that I have never forgotten. I miss him every day even though he has been gone a long time. These memories are worth more than gold. ✌🏻😊
We always celebrated her birthday and Christmas as separate events.
💖 sweet - as a lot of people give one gift and say it’s for both! Or they did MANY years ago
Yes, we tried to avoid that: Christmas may be a symbol of one birth, but I think a personal birthday resonates on a much deeper level
(Because Christmas takes over the month)
Brian, in your poem, I see you living on an energetic spiral of Time. Always expanding and growing, trying to control what deep down you know can only be experienced and savored. The wonder of it is what makes life so strange and beautiful. What a wild ride we are on as humans! I hope you'll be very kind to yourself and savor this new era. Like all the stanzas that have come before, this is such an essential part of your life's Poem.
Middle, equidistant from everything,
everything expands
and when walls walk
how can I measure a middle
how can I claim to command
a center where I stand the whole story.
Happy Birthday to you, Brian.
May this new year of Life be your most satisfying and creative year ever!
Thank you for your reflection and thank you for this blessing! 💫
Happy birthday Brian! We are the same age now.
This moved me a lot, partly because of having transitioned into this 4th decade back in February.
This was a powerful poem. Maybe I'm just coming to appreciate poetry more now and learning a lot from you with these weekly poems alongside the Memory ones, or maybe I just resonate with this so much. (All your poems have been amazing, but this one has something special for me.)
It's quite playful at the start, especially with the alliteration. These are very clever, but also meaningful, lines. Then there's a transition to something more reflective and serious in the middle, which even questions what a middle is, and then we have a forward and hope-infused ending. The construction is very clever and makes me smiles. Your framing of "Mind me" makes me feel as though you are stepping in briefly to speak of what's on your mind.
Some lines I particularly loved:
middle is where I slumber when
mere melancholy manacles my mind
^"melancholy manacles" -- gasp! So good.
------
and when walls walk
how can I measure a middle
^my thoughts here turn to humans living longer and longer lives. The middle shifts. But also, given we don't know our own future, we thus don't truly know our middle.
------
of light made dust made stars
^beautiful.
Finally (sorry, long comment), I'm not sure if intentional, but there are many parts of this that I can read from bottom-to-top that hold equally wondrous meaning. "And when walls walk / everything expands"
Nathan, thanks for this reflection. It’s a gift to me, and makes me so happy that these poems have been a part of you discovering that poetry can have a place in your world! You are spot on with much of what I envisioned, including the 3 parts...stuckness (that’s not a word), transition, expansion. Here is to a new decade!
🙏🥳 here's to a fantastic year and decade.
A good comic/serio look at this thing we call middle aged. The decade of the 40's was pretty darn exciting for me. You may well live to 95+ so...
Yes...So good to hear they were exciting! And who really knows what middle even is or when it is!
I distinctly remember middle aged people when I was a kid, they were in their forties or fifties and they acted like lazy putzes. On the other hand, my grandpa Paul and I were shingling a chicken coup roof when he was 84. He died ten years later and never hit "middle age"
That’s amazing. It’s good to have people in your life like that, even when they live in your past experiences.
So true Brian. His wife, my grandma Silvia, a 4'-10" (at her tallest) Swiss Italian who came here at 7 in 1904, lived to 99 and was totally sharp, with it and up to date. She got a little senile at 98 but she was never middle aged. Her mind was a razor.
Happy Birthday Brian! I turned 40 to this year as well so I guess I am stuck in the middle with you. Many happy returns!
Thanks, You as well! And here is to new ventures that stretch you a little in the 40s!
First of all, Brian: Happy (belated) Birthday!
A beautiful ode to the middle. Well written. Loved it.
Thanks for reading Arjan!
Love how your birthday inspired a mid-life crisis of M’s!
A crisis of Ms indeed!
Happy Birthday - don’t mind me I’m beyond the middle, I had to come back to wish you happiness on your journey to the middle! You made it! You reached midpoint. If I may join you I would love it as my journey from the middle to the other side has been a very long and arduous one!
May you have a joyful journey forth to the other side!
Happy Birthday 🎈
Thank you for the well wishes Pamela
Brian, 30 hit me harder than any other birthday since. My 40s were cake. Don’t overthink it and have fun.
Love to hear that! I’m feeling quite excited!
Thanks for your middle poem, it was quite enjoyable, happy birthday at your midlife, I’ve been in the middle way too long, middle class, mid everything, I’m trying to find an edge.loved your poem!!
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed!
Happy belated birthday! Bryan!
Thank you! 🎈
You bet!
40s have been my all time favorite. And all your illiterations made my soul so happy I can't even tell you. The middle is the place where I began to let go of certainties, especially those belonging to other people. It felt like I grew wings and suddenly didn't give a crap about anyone's opinions but my own. May it be true for you as well!
Oh so great to hear! I’m quite excited for this season.
Thank you for reading!🌿
My pleasure! I enjoy your writing.
I’m also in my 40 s and I’m loving them! I have no rush to experience everything at the same time, but I still have the energy to be more selective when I want experience something. Which feels more intentional. It’s the middle! Full of possibility! Thank you Brian for sharing this poem!
You’re welcome! That’s an interesting statement...No rush to experience things, being more selective. I like that. I feel I’m often trapped in productivity mode and when I pause to do something for myself I have a hard time settling because I think I should be doing a different activity for enjoyment then the one I chose. 🤦
Well, when you mention the productivity trap, I can't say I've outgrown that. Maybe that's just part of being a creative and ambitious person.
I agree... And knowing it helps me snap into creative or rest mode more easily...
Now that you mention it, recognizing it reminds me to rest, as well. Problem is, I've recently realized the way I've always defined rest doesn't really work for me. Now I'm trying to figure out what actually replenishes my energy. Two things I've discovered so far: Reading excellent writing and listening to fascinating podcasts.
Isn't it awesome to be hitting your stride. Do you remember when 40 seemed soooo old? 😂
Sure do! ANCIENT!
Happy belated birthday, Brian! Great poem too! I think someone else mentioned that too, I caught myself reading it again but upside down, I'm not sure why but it worked too.
Happy Birthday! The middle has turned out to be the most fascinating time of my life so far! Welcome to the middle!
Thank you, glad to be here!
A very beautiful poem, Brian. I turned 40 last week (joining the club along with Nathan and Simon, it seems), and your words really resonate. Happy birthday!
Thanks, and happy birthday to you! Feels like it’s a good creative club to be part of🌿