I grew up in a two storey house where the bedrooms were upstairs; likewise with my home today. I love the separation of main floor busyness and the more private, tranquility of the second floor. This morning was no exception. I had a hard time waking up and pressed snooze countless times. Finally when I did crawl out of bed I sleepily shuffled across the upstairs hall from my bedroom to my studio where I indulged in drawing tarot cards for the day ahead. Downstairs I knew I'd immediately be immersed in the day: tending to the pets, showering, getting breakfast etc. The time upstairs was slow, delicious and precious. While drawing the cards, I heard a sweet birdsong. It sounded like it could have been a robin though I don't know anyone who's seen one yet. Always a big thing here in Canada, a sign that spring really is on its way. And, in the background, I heard two clocks ticking. To me, a ticking clock is a soothing sound but I know to many it can be irritating. The bird sang almost continuously for ten minutes. When it stopped, the clocks ticked with the shush of the cards as I shuffled and divided them. Signal bells clanged from the train tracks down the street. Another comforting sound unless I'm trying to get somewhere in a hurry and will be delayed by the train. Yesterday, or the day before, I was still in bed, contemplating getting up, when I heard geese honking. In fall, when the geese are leaving, I find it such a sad and lonely sound but in spring when the arrival of Canadian geese signals the arrival of spring, I find their honks to be uplifting and exciting. Later that day I saw four geese flying by. Only four. But a start. Listening for and naming sounds can be a solid grounding technique. A way of checking in and paying attention. A jumping off point for a poem or haiku. Listen close. What can you hear? Which sounds grate on your nerves? Which soothe you and bring comfort?
6 Comments
4/16/2019 07:47:25 pm
I love to sit in the quiet in the morning and at night and just hear the sounds of life around me. I find it very soothing.
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Kimi Bois
4/17/2019 07:48:58 am
slow quiet mornings are delicious. I too live in Canada and look forward to those earily signs of spring, which I can see around me. Including early sunrises.
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Rachel
4/17/2019 03:26:04 pm
Love hearing about your morning. Rain on a caravan roof is a favourite. I heard a kind of raspy, rusty crow call on a walk the other day-I think it was a Jay from the glimpse I got but I have an app that you can listen to (and record) birdsong on to ID the bird so I must check. I like the sound of corvids, all kinds it seems too. One of my dogs has a tone to his bark that actually hurts-I love him but maaaan that bark!
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AuthorWelcome! I'm Sue Blott: a writer of all things, a poet at heart, mom, wife, daughter, step-mom, grandma, tea drinker, tai chi-er, mystic, artist, dreamer...and now a blogger! This is my world. Categories |