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Conversations with Calliope- Daring to Hope

By Joseph Langen

(Lincoln Memorial)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Excited.
CALLIOPE: About the inauguration?
JOE: Of course. I became frustrated and worried about the direction we have been taking as a nation.
CALLIOPE: Do you think Obama can change our direction?
JOE: Not by himself of course. But he can bring new leadership, inspiration and example.
CALLIOPE: What do you dare to hope?
JOE: That we can start hearing, seeing and feeling each other and become connected in seeking common goals rather than each grabbing whatever we can without concern for each other.
CALLIOPE: Sounds like a lot to hope for. Do you expect our whole nation to suddenly start acting concerned about each other rather than just themselves?
JOE: Of course not. Not everyone seems to accept that change is even possible. Some will keep grabbing what they can. Some will not even notice others in the same boat with them. Some have given up on doing anything different and will remain hopeless at least for the time being.
CALLIOPE: Then what is possible?
JOE: I think it's possible for those of us with hope to show how we care for each other and set a good example of the rest.
CALLIOPE: And you think that's possible?
JOE: I do and I plan to do my part to the extent I can through my writing. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

By Joseph Langen

 (Moro Castle, San Juan)


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JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How was yesterday?
JOE: Good progress. In addition to packing, I sold my washing machine. I'm getting there.
CALLIOPE: Did you make it to the concert?
JOE: Yes. We met friends there for Ruby Shooz, the last concert of the summer season at Charlotte Beach. They were the best I had seen all summer and played oldies which we all enjoyed.
CALLIOPE: Glad to hear it. Did you get your column finished?
JOE: Yes, and I had Carol read it last night. I kept putting it off until the last minute wanting to do just one more thing before I left. I finally finished it just in time to walk out the door.
CALLIOPE: You sound a bit rushed.
JOE: It's my own doing. I'm trying to do everything at once and would like to get back to a normal schedule, whatever that will be.
CALLIOPE: Any work on your writing?
JOE: I'm starting to feel the itch to write again which is good. I worked on my web site yesterday but could upload changes which can be read on Internet Explorer but not other browsers. Very Odd.
CALLIOPE: There's always something.
JOE: There is. I am exploring other web site development tools. I found a free one which I will consider further.
CALLIOPE: Good luck.
JOE: Thanks. I'll need it. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

By Joseph Langen

 


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(In a sculpture garden- Curacao)

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today
JOE: Starting to get used to my new digs. I sat on the deck this morning writing in my journal to the tune of cardinal songs. Very relaxing.
CALLIOPE: So you now think of Leroy as your home?
JOE: I do. My apartment is becoming more sparse by the day. Pretty soon it will be empty.
CALLIOPE: How do you feel about all this?
JOE: I'm not sure the whole thing has sunk in yet. I feel like I am between my old and new worlds, suspended on the verge of a new existence.
CALLIOPE: What will you miss?
JOE: Lots of space which has been my own for the past twelve years. I have developed a routine here which no doubt will be different in Leroy if just not having to drive here to write every day. I will just go downstairs or out in the back yard.
CALLIOPE: What are you looking forward to?
JOE: A less busy place to walk and ride my bicycle, not having to commute, fewer expenses and probably a lot more I haven't even considered.
CALLIOPE: It sounds like a positive move all told.
JOE: It is. I am especially looking forward to being part of a more complete couple with Carol.
CALLIOPE: Do you think it will change your relationship?
JOE: Not if we keep talking about things which arise. So far we are doing very well in that department. It will be a change for both of us but I think we are both ready and prepared for it. Talk with you Monday.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

By Joseph Langen

 


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JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How are you today?
JOE: Getting back into the routine. Yesterday was taken up with financial arrangements and other tasks which kept me from my literary endeavors.
CALLIOPE: And today?
JOE: I couldn't face you until I had at least finished my column for this Saturday. I wrote it on Dealing with Stress and Its Discontents.
CALLIOPE: Vaguely reminiscent of Freud.
JOE: Very astute. I have never been a great fan of Freud but I found a couple provocative statements in the introduction to Civilization and Its Discontents which formed the basis for my column.
CALLIOPE: What, pray tell, were the statements?
JOE: One was that people would rather suffer than change. The other other was that as long as there is culture people will be unhappy.
CALLIOPE: Rather pessimistic I'd say.
JOE: That was my first reaction as well. I went on to explain how much of our stress seems to arise from our unrealistic expectations about life.
CALLIOPE: That's it?
JOE: No. I suggested some alternative ways of viewing and handling our life circumstances.
CALLIOPE: That's better. I'm looking forward to reading it.
JOE: You will find it on my website on Saturday. Talk with you tomorrow.
(Road through the Rockies- Colorado)
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