Balance

When we stop being frenetic we can taste and smell life.

Balance

Breakfast done,

workers face their commute,

pushing and shoving and jostling

through jousting traffic and fellow travellers,

to their 'nine to five'.

I sit and gaze through the cottage window.

The silence within my still heart seems so full.

I breathe and hear the gush of air

rise from my lungs

and I drown in quiet calm.

Around me nature,

sloth like, keeps pushing up the grass.

The sun peaks through gaps in the July clouds

to remind me it will always be there,

even when I am gone.

The dappled colours in the garden

are tranquil

as crows call reassuringly,

and smaller birds dart silently

to and from the feeders,

pecking nuts and seeds.

I too used to live the chaos

of work-life balance

but now

I simply balance.

 

12/07/17

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I'm with you now. At least for one more month John.
"I too used to live the chaos
of work-life balance
but now
I simply balance."
I'm on a long vacation. Enjoying life and writing. Thank you my friend for sharing your amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[wordman]

the hustle and bustle of life is always pushing and shooving,but it seems to be worth it

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Aye Ron always worth it if we stay calm. Many thanks.

[duff]

We get so caught up in our hectic lives that we forget the small things. Taking our time at dinner to enjoy the company before us. Stopping to admire the sound of the wind. The smell of rain. Such simple things but so important. We are consumed by so many things that have zero relevance. Food for thought i guess. Nice job John. This is an important piece.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Many thanks duff; guess I didn't get it until I didn't have to work.

[duff]

You are very welcome.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

if we don't start noticing nature and slow down a bit....we will be pushing up grass...and in the last breath acknowledge what we missed....reminds me of Dickinson's "because i could not stop for death" she was too busy so much so, too busy to die and death had to come calling...
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed Jacob that is so true. They say AI will deliver but they said that decades ago and it never happened. Many thanks.

[Poetic Beauty]

As we grow older things slow down and trying to adjust can be a challenge. Love the birds flying in the garden and the use of color in this piece really allows the reader to picture the landscape

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you very much PB. I chill mostly but do miss being able to make things happen.

[DIVYA]

and smaller birds dart silently
to and from the feeders,
pecking nuts and seeds.

John, a delightful read. The way you wrote it made me think even Nature does its 9 to 5...I like my routine work day but I don't miss it when I skip it. Enjoy your leisure!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you lovely Divya. Funnily enough I miss the ability to make a difference!

[DIVYA]

I am not sure I do much in my various roles but I guess its good to fill time... You are welcome John :)

[Paul Bell]

Don't you miss the excitement of running for the bus, missing it. Listening to the bitching at the bus stop. Being stuck on the motorway. No you don't, not one bloody bit. Another cup of coffee. Yes, why not.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah but I do miss the cut and thrust of getting business done! Many thanks Paul.

[Paul Bell]

Yeah i suppose you just can't stop the hundred mile an hour thrust over night.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

More about knowing you can make a difference.