Some amazing things turn up in the comments section of this site – ideas, book recommendations, other places to check out, even a poem. Emma Bird, one of the most regular and generous contributors to the Coaching Wizardry blog quoted the poem Leisure by William Henry Davies a little while ago.
I was reminded of Emma’s words and the theme of the poem when I was having a less than totally brilliant day yesterday, trying to fit too much in, running late and focusing on my time rather than the environment round about me. I was driving down the motorway towards the Forth Road Bridge on my way back to Edinburgh. Concentrating on the traffic and getting back to town in time for my next engagement.
Suddenly, as I came over the brow of the hill I could see a thick bank of fog sitting over the river. The haar had been threatening all afternoon but this was fog: thick, white, rolling, a blanket that enveloped the road and the river. And just over the top of the bank of the fog: the humps of the beautiful old Rail Bridge, graceful, brooding, like an ancient, eternal, goddess of the sea.
It took my breath away. I can still feel my spine tingling as I write this now.
I was driving, so I couldn’t stop, nor stare. But I could, and did, stop my train of thoughts to notice what I saw. Stop fretting for a moment to breathe in, and out, that feeling of total gratitude and appreciation for this stuff that just hides, and emerges, and unfolds in front of us. Just when we need it the most.
Joanna – wow! I am pleased that the words of Leisure came to you yesterday. That scene that you’ve described sounds breathtaking.
We don’t have much fog here but I know the sentiment. Sometimes I have to get up extra early to drive to see a client in the middle of Sardinia. When I time it right, the sky is clear except for the sun, a perfect orange globe reflecting onto the still sea. And surrounding this spectacular scene are the little islets dotted around and the craggy granite mountains of the mainland.
Like you, I can’t stop to take it all but it makes me smile and sets me up for the day. Nature: more perfect than anything we could ever create.
Hah! I knew it Emma. You have a poet’s soul
Joanna