After school today, I drove home and then down to the small park by the river. I walked down the path, sat on the dock, tuned out the day, and tuned in to the world around me. At the end of the dock, an old rowboat drifted back and forth with the movement of the water, a jumble of water-logged sticks current-caught against its side. Far off a dog bayed. A mournful sound. Lonely. Periodically car tires hummed over the metal bridge downstream. Cormorants perched on white buoys in the middle of the bay, their wings spread to dry in the golden afternoon sun. That same sunlight warmed my arms and the top of my head.
Warbling, trilling, and the occasional caw-caw-caw of crows crowded the air. Swallows skimmed over the water, their pointed wings dipping infinitesmally close to the surface, before they soared upward, then down again. An aerial dance. As I watched them, the wind blew, painting changing textures on the water’s surface. Pockets of velvety smooth alternated with ruched ripples and swirling eddies. With each gust, the lines on the flag pole tink-tink-tinked and the leaves tossed and turned in a soft, busy rustle. Their shadows flickered across the grass. High overhead a white-washed half moon shone in the brilliant blue spring sky, looking oddly out of place.
I sat still and tuned into the world around me.
Three more days of school. I can make it.
Nix the comfort zone 
A beautiful prose poem. I was sitting right next to you. I can’t believe you are still in school. Summer awaits!
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I can’t believe I’m still in school either! lol
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Such a sense-filled slice! Could picture you sitting there, taking it all in. Such a mindful moment. Enjoy your coming summer!
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Those mindful moments are so important to sustain me through the crazy ones!
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This was so calming to read-felt like I was sitting on the dock with you. Good luck on the last 3 days…and have a wonderful summer ‘tuned into the world around you.’ 🙂
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I’m looking forward to that tuning in, Debbie! Thanks for joining me on the dock!
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thanks for taking us to your afternoon retreat. you continue to inspire us teach, mom, wife, writer, positive life force. and you can make three more days! i’m betting on it.
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Thanks, Dan! I appreciate the vote of confidence!
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Your post is full of rush imagery and senses. I was readily transported to your waterside spot.
Thank you for sharing your moment – and for living in the moment!
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The power of pausing, Christine! Reading your post reminded me to be more mindful of my OLW for the year. Somehow it’s slipped to the back of my mind.
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Your post is a poem about trying to unwind during the hot, hazy and crazy last days of school. I took my grand children to the park today….for an hour….to unwind….climbing that jungle gym with the breeze in my hair did it for me!!!!
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An hour playing with grandchildren sounds like a wonderful way to unwind! I wish I could have climbed a jungle gym with you!
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Mmm… thanks for taking me on that wonderful break with you. 3 more days! May you carry this moment of peace through the helter skelter of the end of the year.
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Helter skelter is right! Today’s the last “real” day as tomorrow is clean up and Friday is Field Day and a half day for kids. I’m off to read your blog post now–A treat to start my day! 🙂
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Your tuning in after (what I’m sure was) a long day is wise. Your writing reflection beautiful. Thank you for sharing this gift.
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Thank you–tuning in was definitely a gift I gave myself yesterday.
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You’re almost there! I’ll be on the lookout over our remaining 7 days of school for moments of stillness and calm thanks to your post. If I can’t hear the sky breath, I’ll picture your bay.
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Look out for moments
of stillness and calm
listen to the sky breathe
There’s a poem in your comment!
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This is a beautiful piece, Molly. I was hoping I could enjoy some time in Maine this summer and you never disappoint! I thought my school got out late! By the time you read this you’ll be down to two days, maybe even one. I’m looking forward to reading your writing this summer.
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Thanks, Amy! I’m down to 1 1/2 days now and so looking forward to some unscheduled time! Hope you’re enjoying summer already!
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I was thinking the same thing as Margaret. The prose poem took me right to your summer spot of peace.
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Glad you could join me, Carol!
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