Annes

A buzz of words; a sheet of paper seized: can any be made sense of? can any be grasped and set down?

They swirl around like leaves or snow, as if blown by a pesky wind. Thoughts filled with Annes – Annes with an 'e': Austen's, Montgomery's, Brontë, my mother. Anne Elliot. Anne Shirley. Anne Brontë. Anne Francis (née Ralls). Fictional and real Annes. Orphaned Annes and Annes with siblings. Courageous Annes and overshadowed Annes. Forgotten Annes, sidelined by history, by everybody. Serious and searching Annes, determined to form their own opinions. Annes content to let others lead, for they will find their own narrow way. Single Annes and married Annes. Aunt Annes and Mother Annes. (What will they impart to their nieces, their daughters?) Arguing Annes. Secretive Annes. Annes forever slipping out of view.

Picture credit: Anne Bronte (from a group portrait) by her brother Patrick Bramwell Bronte (source: Wikipedia).

From journal, March 2023.