slip-sliding away…..

Morning chirps
as the sun settles in the sky
and a branch moves in the tree ahead –
presumably monkeys at work (/play).

There’s no time like this:
the dawning of a new day;
hearing nature begin again –
a fresh start –
while the humans lie under covers,
still resting,
losing priceless moments of peace out here.

These days
before the school/work year begins
are precious,
for we take time out
to rest and recharge…
necessary pastimes
best enjoyed away from home,
in places far or near…
it matters not,
just as long as they’re not too familiar.

Because once we get home,
we step back
onto the hamster wheel:
round and round and round,
energy exerted
as home and work and life
return to normality.

The monkeys are out now:
a leader barking loudly,
and five others sitting quietly waiting.

A spider’s web flitters in the breeze,
and the sun –
now higher –
shines directly in my eyes:
warmth to comfort my heart,
as I ponder escaping inside –
lest those creatures come this way.

But for now, I wait it out,
as the leader leaves the roof
and hustles up another tree…
his followers still quietly sitting,
perhaps waiting to hear
where breakfast will come from.

Nature’s wake up call
is interrupted,
in spurts,
by a machine’s hum
and cars on the road beyond.

But these creatures –
the birds and monkeys and insects (and more) –
continue their morning routines.
For they were here before
we settled in their territory.
And,
should we leave,
they will remain.

For this is their jungle,
their occupation…
their lives.
Far removed
from our urban jungles back home:
where news and traffic
and adverts and music
saturate our senses;
artificial constructs
occupying our minds and hearts
as we trudge through another year…
hopefully one better than the previous;
where we’ll remember vital lessons learnt,
and strive
to be better –
despite the challenges that await.

For these are the days of our lives,
and we must remember –
every once in a while –
to step back from them
and observe
who we’ve become,
since the last time we took a break.
And perhaps
recalibrate and change course,
so that we may venture towards
who we WANT to become.

I sit inside once more,
as the fridge hums behind me,
and the fan circulates warm air.
Swimming towels and bathers populate the chairs and dryer,
and the TV sits,
quiet (for once),
while this house’s occupants still sleep.

I ponder
what awaits me this year.
I pray
for the mental space
and strength
and wisdom
to come through it
with flying colours,
so that
12 months from now,
if I’m sat once more
all alone
at a holiday table,
I can think back to this moment,
and smile in gratitude
as I prepare
for yet another year to come.

And to you,
dear reader,
whatever your station in life,
I wish you well in the year ahead.
May it be filled
with prosperity and peace
and all the growth you need
to bring you closer
to the person you wish to become.