It is difficult to walk quickly herding a cow down the street. The Surety of the Slow
It is a privilege to walk slowly,
To answer the bell with measure
And with good time.
I walked quickly for years. Ran
Up the stairs
And back down to get somewhere,
That I now care not to remember.
Ran to meet or to beat time,
To get it all done with expediency,
Moved with sharpness to answer
Alarms that went
Off in our collective psyche.
Those who must walk slowly
Are blessed.
They probably don’t even know why.
I am fairly sure that it is because
Those who are slower
Have a more fulfilling power
Than those who feel they must fly.
Susan Patterson
06-2011
It is a privilege to walk slowly,
To answer the bell with measure
And with good time.
I walked quickly for years. Ran
Up the stairs
And back down to get somewhere,
That I now care not to remember.
Ran to meet or to beat time,
To get it all done with expediency,
Moved with sharpness to answer
Alarms that went
Off in our collective psyche.
Those who must walk slowly
Are blessed.
They probably don’t even know why.
I am fairly sure that it is because
Those who are slower
Have a more fulfilling power
Than those who feel they must fly.
Susan Patterson
06-2011
Audio of The Surety of the Slow
Discussion:
There are two parts to this poem. This first part simply talks about the importance of moving slowly. It's okay not to rush around when there is no need. At some point most of us were taught to be on time. Some then thought it would be better to be early, not just on time. Pressure. Then there is, of course, the work-a-day world where moving quickly is just expected. Some people seem to be in a hurry all of the time, even walking about in their own homes. That probably isn't necessary. I would say that it certainly isn't good for a person.
Then there is the second part of the poem that talks about the people who are required to move slowly. These people, who either by age or infirmity, must take their time. They, it seems, already know the benefit of taking their time in life. They've been given a gift and their power comes from a different source, other than that of being speedy. Slower people do not need to fly. These lucky ones have found a sureness and solidness elsewhere in their life. skp
Then there is the second part of the poem that talks about the people who are required to move slowly. These people, who either by age or infirmity, must take their time. They, it seems, already know the benefit of taking their time in life. They've been given a gift and their power comes from a different source, other than that of being speedy. Slower people do not need to fly. These lucky ones have found a sureness and solidness elsewhere in their life. skp
Scruffy - The Turtle Who Waited for a New Life
Scruffy safely, amid the flowers. Scruffy is a red-eared slider turtle who was left by his owners. Here is his story as it was told to me.
Dick and Lisa own a home here in Oregon. They had neighbors, who let us say, were not the most tidy of home owners. These neighbors sold their home and moved away, leaving the turtle for the new owners.
Dick and Lisa, being good and responsible people went next door to the vacant property to see if everything was alright. It was messy, but looked okay. Then Dick saw this filthy algae cover aquarium half filled with water. Ugh. They were about to walk home, when Dick spotted a small head pop up out of the slimy muck. It was a turtle about seven inches, treading water. He had no place to go, no rock to rest on, no place to get dry. No one knows exactly how long he had been stuck in this situation. He looked pitiful. He was just trying to stay alive.
Dick and Lisa immediately called the Humane Society. They came out and saw the condition and called the former owners of the property. The not-so-tidy people had left him for the new home owners. But the new people were not due to take the property for some time yet. So, Lisa said, 'I'm going to go get him.' And she did. She named him Scruffy. Dick took Scruffy and washed off all of the green slime from his shell. Lisa found something for him to eat, I'm not sure what. But it wasn't too long before Dick was buying, yes, buying crickets at the local Pet Smart for Scruffy to eat. (You can get about a dozen crickets for a dollar there.) Scruffy also had a liking for gold fish, apparently.
Scruffy now gets to go outside, safely in a pen, and walk in the grass. He gets fresh water and good food, including fresh vegetables. Macy, Dick and Lisa's dog, often goes out and lays next to Scruffy, just to keep him company. There is a note on the door of the old house for the new owners telling them where their turtle is temporarily being care for. Scruffy cannot be released in the area because he is an invasive turtle and would be a threat to the ecosystem here. But he will have a good home with the new owners. Dick and Lisa will make sure of it I would bet.
Now the lesson here is, even though you might be slow, and it seems that all you are doing is treading water, there is a Dick and Lisa out there somewhere who will wash the slime off of your back and buy you crickets to eat. skp
Dick and Lisa own a home here in Oregon. They had neighbors, who let us say, were not the most tidy of home owners. These neighbors sold their home and moved away, leaving the turtle for the new owners.
Dick and Lisa, being good and responsible people went next door to the vacant property to see if everything was alright. It was messy, but looked okay. Then Dick saw this filthy algae cover aquarium half filled with water. Ugh. They were about to walk home, when Dick spotted a small head pop up out of the slimy muck. It was a turtle about seven inches, treading water. He had no place to go, no rock to rest on, no place to get dry. No one knows exactly how long he had been stuck in this situation. He looked pitiful. He was just trying to stay alive.
Dick and Lisa immediately called the Humane Society. They came out and saw the condition and called the former owners of the property. The not-so-tidy people had left him for the new home owners. But the new people were not due to take the property for some time yet. So, Lisa said, 'I'm going to go get him.' And she did. She named him Scruffy. Dick took Scruffy and washed off all of the green slime from his shell. Lisa found something for him to eat, I'm not sure what. But it wasn't too long before Dick was buying, yes, buying crickets at the local Pet Smart for Scruffy to eat. (You can get about a dozen crickets for a dollar there.) Scruffy also had a liking for gold fish, apparently.
Scruffy now gets to go outside, safely in a pen, and walk in the grass. He gets fresh water and good food, including fresh vegetables. Macy, Dick and Lisa's dog, often goes out and lays next to Scruffy, just to keep him company. There is a note on the door of the old house for the new owners telling them where their turtle is temporarily being care for. Scruffy cannot be released in the area because he is an invasive turtle and would be a threat to the ecosystem here. But he will have a good home with the new owners. Dick and Lisa will make sure of it I would bet.
Now the lesson here is, even though you might be slow, and it seems that all you are doing is treading water, there is a Dick and Lisa out there somewhere who will wash the slime off of your back and buy you crickets to eat. skp
Summer in fir country.
Cheery-bye! skp
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