White is the colour that trails fast things
Jets
Speed boats.
Wings of a bird
leave no tell tale signs
they lift and fly
almost silently.
Usually I move fast too
long strides
hustling feet
my mind already ten metres in front of me
at least.
But something happened to my ankle this week
And for two days
I limped
so slowly
I just couldn’t move any faster
there was too much pain.
The oddest thing happened.
I noticed
the world slowed to match my pace
and my heartbeat did not pound with haste
even my thinking murmured
instead of shouting.
So I have come to this conclusion
It could be wrong
But I hope it isn’t .
The world is not fast
As I often bemoan
I do not need IT to slow
Down
I just need to slow
Down
Myself
And move deliberately
Intently
Give myself a little more patience
Then the world will stop its whirlwind pace
the earth will unwind, and time will rise to meet me
*My father recalled working in “the old days”, there was always time to stop and rest the horses, light a fire, boil the billy (a sort of bush teapot) and make some lunch. There was always time, nothing was rushed.
By the time we kids came along, mustering was done on motorbikes. Machinery doesn’t need to rest. We took our lunch, sandwiches wrapped in newspaper, in the saddlebags.
Now, with all our technology, humans everywhere rarely stop for lunch. We work long hours and stand impatiently in front of appliances that cook our meals in minutes, or grab takeaway food that has dubious nutrition in it.
I don’t know exactly how I injured my ankle but I do know it was good for me. I hobbled about haltingly because I had to. I couldn’t run, could barely walk, but it allowed me to slow down to notice, as I wrote above, that this rush is something that stems from within. Out there, responds to “in here”.
It’s why my Dad, who had very sore knees and couldn’t walk without pain in the end, would watch me striding about and say “sit down for a minute, why the hell are you rushing?”
And I would think, well because I’m busy
But busy is just a hive of the mind. We can tip it out any time. Life will expand, grace will find us, because Grace does not rush, but it will come and find me if I slow down. Move with a little more attention to details.
And I’m going to try and remember this, as my ankle takes the load again, and my inclination to move more quickly settles in.
I’m going to try
to remember this
The world does not rush
We do.
Which means we can control time, especially our own, because time, is a concept that lives only in our mind.
Header photo, a cool relaxed surfer dude. In this photo it looks like he is speeding, creating a wake – but he isn’t, the wave is pushing him and he is utterly at peace. I watched him for quite awhile, he had mastery of his board, moving around with balance and poise.
*Note – I wrote this a couple of weeks ago, my ankle is recovered – mostly – I’m running again but trying to remember to be slow in the moment. The lesson is sticking with me because pain is a wonderful taskmaster. First, God throws pebbles.
Love this perspective, Kate. Glad your ankle is healing.
Thanks Tracy, terribly difficult lesson for me to learn, for any of us really that live in this hyper rush world.
Thanks Tracy 💕
glad to hear your ankle is healed. i like how you used that and your father as the backdrop for time. i also love the photo of the surfer. all three fit so well into the theme. the surfer picture makes it really concrete that as much as I “rush”, i need to understand the underlying nature of the waves and its timing. Mike
Hi Mike. I am the worst at rushing – always have been. Which doesn’t mean I always will be. I’m currently in upgrade mode so hopefully..🤞
Fantastic, Kate! “The earth will unwind, and time will rise to meet me.” Wow! Such a good lesson! (And I know well how an ankle injury can drive a runner mad! 🙂 ) “The world does not rush, we do.” I will try to hold the lesson as well.
Camilla I think it was sprinting on the beach sand – I had had the best run and was feeling so strong so I was bolting up the beach and then along the boardwalk barefoot and the next day I got out of bed and the pain was excruciating in both ankles but in one particularly. Beach sand is soft on the sole but like concrete to the bones – I know there is a metaphor in there somewhere but the lesson is a good one – don’t take soft surfaces for granted. Oh dear the dots are joining hahah another poem arising. Have a lovely day my friend.
You too, Kate! And oh, I know this well — sand and boardwalk are both wonderful surfaces to run on, but the former especially if you’re barefoot can be a harsh mistress after the fact. But what a wonderful take-home experience nonetheless! One I am needfully reminding myself of even as we speak! ❤️
What an unlikely gift of perspective (but hopefully not too painful)
Pride goeth before a fall my friend, I didn’t fall but I was feeling like a super freak running up the beach and boardwalk in bare feet 🦶 I normally run in vibram 5 toes but I’m light on my feet – anyway not to get into the technicalities of running but I won’t be slamming my feet down again anytime soon. I always look for the metaphor in the moment so – that’s what I came up with and it resonates.
Super freak is all good (except for the pain)😂
Oh yes, oh yes. This. Slow down and see how every thing makes better sense.
Nature doesn’t rush. Ever.
Bless you. Let’s all slow down. Thanks
Thankyou Selma – I’m trying to learn to slow down and yes you’re quite right, nature doesn’t rush
if you’ve worries, may they settle
if you’re weary, wake refreshed
if you’re busy, may you profit
if you’re missed, it’s
’cause you’re you
~
Be well and do good,
Kind regards,
DD