Snow Moon 2023 (c) F.Crum 2023

 The cold  winds spin round The Pole 

Sending spirals of icy air southward

To meet the rising Icy Moon 

not yet at it's zenith 

with gaping jaws 

The Hungry Moon so beautiful shines over a land that's seen less troubled days.

E3 commeth (c) F.Crum 2023

 There's a strange feel in the air tonight - a slight warmth in the winter chill. 

The leaves on deciduous trees are beginning to bud. 

The luminous violet of clouds in the late night sky silhouettes bare, hanging twigs dark against the night time glow. 

The  night birds' songs fill the air - melodic calls and responses resonating from trees down side streets filled with tenement houses-  heralding change.

An age old green comet, invisible to the naked eye, last seen by Neanderthals fills the imagination. 

We wait, uncertain, for the joys of warmer weather knowing that a cold snap will arrive within hours that will chill us to the bone.

Review: Move to Heaven

 "Move to Heaven"  (Kdrama) is no "Highway to Heaven".  It is a beautiful and powerful 10 episode series revolving around  a young autistic trauma cleaner (Gu-Ru) as he comes to grips with the loss of his much loved (adoptive) father and being placed under the guardianship of his father's resentful younger brother  Cho San-Gu  It is a story of hope, of change, of understanding,  forgiveness, of friendship, of grieving, acceptance and moving forward. It is a story of love and the complexity of family. The series doesn't shy away from topical issues of gambling, illegial fighting, old age, abuse by neglect, the devastating effects of building collapses, suicide, abandoned children, and children adopted overseas who become unwanted and stateless. Memories and point of view are also important elements, a well as a final nod to the supernatural messenger- the white butterfly reminding the young hero of the beauty even in the face of life's fragile and uncertain future.

There are three lead characters who have strong  if somewhat predictable story arcs as they adjust and learn to live with each other's chaos causing and confusing presence in their lives. Each step is faultlessly built to create a thoughtful, engaging and at times surprising set of stories which change the lives of those around them as the unstoppable force of Han Gu-Ru's beautiful, gentle and caring nature touches their lives. As they pack up the posessions of the deceased for their final move,  new aspects or secrets in the trauma cleaners' lives gracefully unfold along with the relationships between the deceased and those left behind. The ending is a rollercoaster of fear for the safety of the three main characters, heartache and joy. The emotional journey they take is wonderful to watch,  beautifully and intelligently presented. In the final scene we see the way Gu-Ru sees- his shy glance at the world, his fascination with the meaning laden butterfly and his awe of those around him. The butterfly girl at the end of the season shifts from being a disembodied voice making a request for the company's cleaning services (for herself), to bearing a resemblance to his late mother to dissolving under his gaze into a schoolgirl in her late teens self conscious and flattered by his interest.  Our changing gaze symbolizes his growth from awkwardness in dealing with people he wants to help to accepting people as much wanting to help them as much as setting the third place at the table he shared with his father; or the placement of his father's ashes.  Such is the subtlety of the series - full of nuances, honesty, and symbolism. 

The lead role of Han Gu-Ru played by Tang Jun-sang (only 19 years old when it was released) while his wayward uncle Cho San-Gu is played by Lee Je-hoon. Both are convincing in their roles (and their relationships) which are handled deftly and allow the threads of their characters' experience, relationships, and their intersecting backstories to be drawn together and drive their actions. Their personal resolutions ultimately unite them as a family for whom they are willing to risk everything. The girl next door, Yoon Na-mu, played by Hong Sueng -hee is the third main character. She has been devoted to Gu-Ru (her best friend) since they first met as children. Her devotion to Gu-Ru  enables her to choose her own path and stand by him, as she overcomes her suspicions of the uncle to help Gu-Ru save him. In telling her mother the truth of her involvement with the company "move to heaven" she takes control of her life and cuts away any chance that her would-be suitor, a policeman no less, can use that secret as the determining factor in their possible future relationship. The series thereby undercuts a fairly well- worn romance trope in favour of female empowerment.  By the end of season one, the three have faced their fears through the relationships with each other,  grown as individuals and forged a new future together.

Overall this is not a story about destinations. It is the story of personal journeys and acceptance and transformation. The means is more important than the ends.

It is an excellent production - well worth watching and thankfully another season has been promised by Netflix.

Croyde Bay Sunset by F. Crum (c) 2022

   Croyde Bay Sunset by F. Crum (c) 2022

West-coast sunset true

Bright red sphere sinks slowly till

Light becomes sea fire

Spindrift by Frances

 Spindrift by Frances Crum  (c) 2021

Spindrift flying high

Sunlight glowing in the depths

Swelling waves roar by.