This really stuck out at me: "I don’t revolt against cars and trains. But they have impacted negatively what it means to see." How true that is! Some years back, I went down a pretty deep rabbit hole with photography. I brought my camera with me everywhere, and it taught me invaluable lessons about slowing down and training my eyes to see like I did as a child, when everything felt new. Everything becoming humdrum and ordinary is a product of our own internal rules and formulas for interpretation—the filtering helps us get through our day more efficiently. But nothing's ever as mundane as we perceive it to be.
Your poem reminded me of Japanese gardens—how the pathways are constructed to deliberately break up the pace and cadence of our walking, so that we're encouraged to slow down and not settle into a routine during our visit. A good practice to keep in mind.
Thanks for sharing the poem and the discussion; lots to think about there.
Ah man, thanks! Your encouragement made me feel good about posting the reflection with the poem. I'm currently recovering from a back injury and everything is a painfully slow walk. You mentioned the retraining of your eyes-I find my eyes and mind don't match my body's pace. It's been so difficult for my walking & seeing to be in sync. Even when I move slow, my mind doesn't.
This really stuck out at me: "I don’t revolt against cars and trains. But they have impacted negatively what it means to see." How true that is! Some years back, I went down a pretty deep rabbit hole with photography. I brought my camera with me everywhere, and it taught me invaluable lessons about slowing down and training my eyes to see like I did as a child, when everything felt new. Everything becoming humdrum and ordinary is a product of our own internal rules and formulas for interpretation—the filtering helps us get through our day more efficiently. But nothing's ever as mundane as we perceive it to be.
Your poem reminded me of Japanese gardens—how the pathways are constructed to deliberately break up the pace and cadence of our walking, so that we're encouraged to slow down and not settle into a routine during our visit. A good practice to keep in mind.
Thanks for sharing the poem and the discussion; lots to think about there.
Ah man, thanks! Your encouragement made me feel good about posting the reflection with the poem. I'm currently recovering from a back injury and everything is a painfully slow walk. You mentioned the retraining of your eyes-I find my eyes and mind don't match my body's pace. It's been so difficult for my walking & seeing to be in sync. Even when I move slow, my mind doesn't.
Ah man, I hope you recover soon! Back pain is no joke. Be patient with yourself.