Gosh it’s been so long since I have posted anything on this blog. I apologize for my dormancy. Life has invaded my writing space, as family and work obligations have kept me preoccupied. I am still pecking away at some long-term creative projects—nothing worth mentioning at the moment, since the completion of my goals seems very far off. So this is just a brief dispatch, a few scattered words to let anyone who may be interested—very few people I’m sure—know that I am still here, I am still active, I am still writing. And since I feel compelled to leave you with something more valuable than my aimless sentences, here is a new photo of my toddler son Colin. Who doesn’t like cute kid pictures?
Colin Joseph DiClemente. Age 2 years, 8 months.
And here is an excerpt from “Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking,” from Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, which I have been reading via the Kindle app on my iPhone. A possible interpretation of the passage eludes me, but I found the words stirring nonetheless.
From your memories sad brother, from the fitful risings and fallings I heard …
From those beginning notes of yearning and love there in the mist,
From the thousand responses of my heart never to cease …
Borne hither, ere all eludes me, hurriedly,
A man, yet by these tears a little boy again,
Throwing myself on the sand, confronting the waves,
I, chanter of pains and joys, uniter of here and hereafter,
Taking all hints to use them, but swiftly leaping beyond them,
A reminiscence sing.
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.
Francis DiClemente 
OMGoodness! Your little boy is adorable! Glad to see you are still writing, although I didn’t have any doubts. I am working on strengthening my writing and getting the courage up to start a blog. Just trying to narrow and pinpoint what I want to write about. There is so many topics! Look forward to your blog emails, and I am sorry it took so long to read this one. I understand life getting in the way! Keep writing!
Hey there Lisa. Thank you so much for the message and for the kind words about Colin and about my writing. I appreciate it! I would encourage you to start your blog. Just go for it and have fun. WordPress is really pretty easy (even I have figured it out!). Have a great holiday season and keep in touch!
Hi Fran,
I still look forward to your blog posts, so keep them up please. Colin is adorable, I’m so happy to see another pic of him. They grow up do fast! Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings for your beautiful family.
Margo
Hi Margo,
Thanks so much for the nice greeting. It’s great to hear from you. And you’re right … they do grow up fast. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family.
Your son is beautiful! Good work!
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for the nice note. It means a lot to me. Happy writing to you!