#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Reflection: Morning Brook

How strong, vital, enduring! how dumbly eloquent! What suggestions of imperturbability and being, as against the human trait of mere seeming. Then the qualities, almost emotional, palpably artistic, heroic, of a tree; so innocent and harmless, yet so savage. It is, yet says nothing.

~ Walt Whitman, “The Wisdom of Trees,” as quoted in “Brainpickings,” by Maria Popova

A cloudy day to step into, tired and even a little irritable. Grumbling to myself. I knew my walk would be short, and I considered a long swim and thought, no, I’m too tired. Then, re-thought, after a voice in my head reminded me of something I know to be true: exercise gives me energy. I stopped at the brook, into fall, the trees are turning. Little ripples of Charlie drinking. Mosquitos biting. Quiet. I listened to the voice and went for the long swim after all. And, felt much better, of course. I had my first Friday poetry workshop morning instead of our Thursday group. New workshop mates. Brought a poem I revised very slightly from Monday workshop. Inklings of realizing what it needs. I appreciated meeting the other poets, some of whom I know slightly. Only slightly, one and all, and I missed the familiarity of my Thursday pals. We have another session this month before I need to decide if I’ll stay for more. I have started my six-week monologue course and spent time in the afternoon reading and responding to work shared. It’s gong to be a dynamic course. My daughter and I discussed a plan for a final long Farm Pond swim tomorrow morning. It’s supposed to be a very sunny day, and warm, but who knows if it will be a bit too cold to really dig in to a longer swim? She’s game to try and so am I.