Anyway

The Chameleon Meanings of this Adverbial /conjunction

A Wire is a Wire is a wire, Anyway.

Introduction: Grammatically, “anyway” is an adverb. But its use does not always accomplish the same conversational task — it can signal a conclusion or act as a transition. My Godmother, who influenced me deeply, used that word, I discover on recent reflection, to great effect though it had different meanings depending on the occasion. “Anyway” such a simple word, but the psychology was magic — a quiet, graceful turn from where a conversation was, where it was leading, or how to round it out —conclude or leave it open ended? Thank you Mama Payne for your “Anyway” which a couple of scholars who crossed my path have elucidated for me along with three God-sibblings who heard the “Anyway” far more often than I had occasion to.

Anyway -- That Chameleon Word

       Mother Teresa said "anyway, 
in the end, it's between you and God."

	but I recall a saint who from her labors 
rests in glory & sweet communion with the 
                Church Triumphant. *

She, whose voice, some mornings brings me 
out of my deepest sleep
		     distinct and clear,
a cloud of witnesses voice I smile at hearing --

a voice that was, often as not, an exhaled,
gently intoned anthem, "Anyway." 
'times, it struck an understated resolution
to get on with life -- accept one's share
 instead of demanding: "But why?"

A voice dressed in a calm countenance --
she who lived her life as it unfolded
without a blustery push and pull 
to make something different happen. 

So, at times, when the conversation
was about how everything has changed, 
the predictable has become the past
maybe there could have been a better way?
A steady look, -- ah, yes - - Anyway.

			                   Anyway!
a down home transition from a conversation 
that had paused, perhaps was really going
nowhere & she had other things to do. 

'times, her tone suggested solace & surrender,
but other times, it offered affirmation:
You are still who you are -- the one 
you are capable of being . . . and anyway
                   you can determine to be just that.

And should one dare test an endless patience
"Anyway"  pronounced in an exasperated tone 
the emphasis on "any" because there is after all
nothing more that could be said, was her

way of saying turn, turn, turn,
	to every season there is a reason 
under heaven.  Her Anyway, I can see now,  
was the like of Mr. Eliot's 
“still point of the turning world."

	Anyway, 
the choice you made is what you have now.
Anyway -- let's let this undercurrent go to the 
"watering place of silence and wait till it's satisfied.*"

	Regret is not a space you want to occupy.
Regret only cuts loose the halyard of conviction,
setting you adrift rather than sailing 
with the wind that takes you into
the current you sensed flowing near you.

				Anyway, for the present,
she cheerfully moved on to the next task 
perhaps planning for a upcoming holiday
or birthday -- her Anyway

		was the cue to catch yourself
find the smile wrinkling the corner of your eye
return the lift of the corners of your mouth
bring  back your face's sparkle and make the best
                             of what has come ANYWAY.

 
William Walsham How -- For  All the Saints Hymn 287 BCP
T.S. Eliot -- Burnt Norton
Max Picard -- The World of Silence


				Remembering a Godmother whose "Anyway" could mean a thousand things.  
				A collaborative poem with interpretive input from -- John, Richard, and Ruth -- 
				who patiently entertained my questions  -- anyway.