Mind-Body-Spirit, a Feeling for the Quickness of Time
[Update April 16th 2020: Even as I write, much of Europe continues to practise social distancing in an attempt to slow the progress of the Covid -19 coronavirus that continues to spread and cause social, economic and emotional hurt across the world. Life goes on, of course, but for many,many people it will never be quite the same again. A neighbour commented only yesterday that "So many people getting ill and dying ... Time never did wait for anyone, but now ... it's taking lives and livelihoods before we barely have time to breath, never mind say any goodbyes ..."
These are exceptional times for us all, but I have no doubt that the human spirit - with more than a little help from science and new technology - will eventually see the coronavirus on its way albeit imposing a contradictory feeling for the slowness of time on us all. The fine example set by health and other key workers cannot be overestimated. Once everyday life resumes at least a semblance of normality, the Here-and-Now is likely to assume an even greater significance; those among us hitherto inclined to take it for granted may well feel inspired - each in his and her own way - by those same selfless key workers, to focus more inclusively on making the most of treasured personal space and a feeling for the quickness of time.]
An earlier version of today's poem appeared on the blog some years ago; another was published in the on-line poetry journal Ygdrasil in July 2004 and subsequently in my collection the following year;.
Now, I have never subscribed to the view that children should be seen and not heard; they may not always be right (and are parents?) but are entitled to a point of view that deserves to be addressed and discussed if only so that any serious flaws in it are not left to fester into adulthood.
have minds of our own, a mistake to think
our kids are an exception...
Memories, good, bad and ugly seasons
in time, much like ghosts unable or unwilling
to come in from an existential rain,
a few things along the way, too, but no one
imagines that learners can also be teachers
(children should be seen and not heard);
Absurd, the way adults talk over our heads,
assuming we haven't a clue, leaving us
to reach conclusions whether right or wrong
but likely to have as far-reaching effects
on a young mind-body-spirit as anything said,
done, overheard, misunderstood for better
or worse during formative years many parents
and their peers see as giving innocence
its head, time enough for kids to get real, instead
of letting us in on what's going on...
When I’m older, I'll show 'em I know
a thing or two where it's they haven't a clue
about what I'm doing, learning, harvesting
the bad as well as the good from never
having talked much (as a family) - teen years
all but a repeat of better-seen-than heard;
everyone fussing or arguing but one listening,
misunderstandings laying the foundations
of future years (and tears) as mums and dads
anxious to look good for the neighbours,
missing out on much of what's going on under
their own noses, not to mention social media
screwing us all up with fake news, bully trolls
hitting out at the more vulnerable, hiding
behind an anonymity fooling no one, their targets
in despair, losing sleep, and worse...
didn’t I? (Parents, eh...?
Old, taking stock of past-present-future, tears falling
for their being little or no time left for dreaming
Labels: global consciousness family, human nature, human spirit, learning curve, life forces, love, mind-body-spirit, nature, personal space, poetry, religion, self-awareness formative years, time
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