Monday, May 08, 2006

Swimming Lessons

Most pairs of eyes,
out of half as many heads,
only focus on the day to day.
Jobs and bills,
carpet stains,
a neighbor
tucked tightly in blue jeans,
are things
that can’t be ignored,
subsistence must be maintained.
But, since
you’re treading water,
anyway,
why not
learn how to swim?

17 comments:

Kai said...

nice

Natalia L. Rudychev said...

It touched me deeply. I'm not sure I got it right. For me it's the hardest thing to combine these two. Healthy balance between practical and imagined. Both worlds are REAL. But somehow in my case dream world always rules. Great write!

Pincushion said...

This one has so many layers to it, very philosophical!
why not
learn how to swim?'
..and everytime i feel I am sinking in life..i shall ask myself that question..
Thank you for this..

polona said...

love this! so reflective...

Kai said...

thanks

Russell Ragsdale said...

We all do it, that focusing on the urgent trivialities (looking but not seeing, doing but not being). Fine stuff here Pat!

Borut said...

Well said. Replacing the Art of Drowning with the Art of Swimming.

steve said...

sometimes I splutter a lot, but it's better than just staying one place...thanks for the reminder to swim!

Masago said...

...a good "kick-in-pants" wake up call. Well done!

Kai said...

hi pat,
i wrote another poem & cant get enough ofthem

Elena Horowitz-Brookes said...

Great little bit of advice for us all, and again said within the context of your poetry dance.

By the way, I like your new photo. It's so nice to see your face.

Lukas Abrhm said...

this is deep, sir.
some things are universal...some things aren't.
this, this is.
which makes it that much better.

Kai said...

thanks pat
i wrote another one.
Have a good day

floots said...

nice one
(but now i'm afraid to take a bath in case i don't see enough in it) :)

Pat Paulk said...

Thank you Kai!!

Natalia, you got it exactly right. I let my creative side stay locked behind the doors of responsibilty too long. Now that it's out it prefers to rule!! Thank you!!

Pincushion, thank you!! glad I could offer a life jacket of sorts!!

Polona, thank you. sometimes you just have to!!

Yes Russell we do. I, too, have become fond of eating and having a non-leaky roof over my head, doesn't mean we can't decorate the place up a bit. Thanks!!

Borut, yes!! No drowning!! Forbidden!!

Well said Steve!! Spluttering in any direction is better than none at all!!

Ah Maddy, underwater is the best!!!

Jon, it was my pleasure. Thank you for your art!!

Vaughn a long distance call at that!! Thanks!!

Boulies, thank you and thank you!! I hope time will soon allow you to post some more of your wonderful stories!!

Lukas, what I didn't tell anyone is I only swim in knee deep water. thank you!!

Ah Floots, I bet you take bubble baths!! Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

Love it!

Fragmented said...

true pat, i agree with this. nice!