A Step out of the Flow

[Irene]

I wrote this one beautiful night when the power was out during a storm, and I was sitting out on the balcony enjoying the beauty after the storm.

A Step out of the Flow
© Irene Conner
09/04/2011

There’s a velvet shroud of darkness cloaked around us all tonight;
not a sound to break the silence, not an artificial light;
not a star to twinkle cheekily as clouds dim moonlights gold
and my thoughts drift back to how I may have lived in days of old.

For a lightning bolt, by nature’s aim, has killed the power line.
For one moment from my modern life of ease, I must resign.
There’s no light to glow its beacon at the flicking of a switch
and no gadgetry I feel I need - my living to enrich.

There’s a candle shares it’s ambience with shadows on my wall;
in the silence I am free to hear the night worlds subtle call.
And I hold the choice to savour this small step out of the flow
of a lifestyle that consumes me as I’m rushing to and fro.

No computer hums its constant call to dally just awhile;
to come have a chat, or read a joke that’s sent to make me smile.
And no television anchorman recites his tales of gloom;
there’s just silence, and the candle light that fills my living room.

There’s no kettle waiting patiently to boil when ‘ere I will,
and no microwave producing food for me to have my fill.
There’s no telephones shrill out their call as hands free sets lie dead,
and I take the time to hear again the thoughts inside my head.

There’s a sense of still contentment creeps in silence through the cells
of a body that’s forgotten how to stop and breathe the smells
in a world suppressed unwittingly beneath our frantic pace,
and the stillness works its magic as I welcome it’s embrace.

For I see myself on winters’ eve with fire burning bright
and a lantern set beside me as I settle down to write,
taking time, despite a long, hard day, to let my thoughts flow free
in a way, which in my current life, I never let them be.

And I wonder, as I sit and dream, what thoughts would fill my mind
as I sit within the silence and release the ties that bind.
Would I write with recollection of the daytime tasks complete,
or of hardships that I must endure in searing summer heat?

Would I tell of weary bodies that are drained of energy;
of the baby that we buried, and her wrenching eulogy;
of the days spent scrubbing, washing, or the heat of cooking fire,
or the miles of rugged roadways – is it this that would inspire?

Would I write of pristine beauty found in silent bushland glade,
or the dappled gleam of morning light that creeps between the shade?
Would I write about a future where I lived a life of ease
with the time to sit in silence, and enjoy life’s gentle breeze?

It’s this contemplative silence that inspires my jaded soul
shredding ties that bind me to a life I know I don’t control.
Lying hidden in the hassle of a modern life on hold,
it’s a gift that has me stepping back to let my life unfold.

It’s a gift that prompts me patiently to settle back and walk
And to let the silence fill me; hear my inner voices talk,
and, as light and sound return again the silent world to fill,
there’s a timeless sense of peacefulness I carry with me still.

[Bob Pacey]

There’s no light to glow its beacon at the flicking of a switch


Love this line Irene.

Beautiful thought put into words.

Cheers Bob

[Maureen K Clifford]

Stunning Irene - what fabulous images your words conjure....we often don't realize what we have lost in this modern worlds and time for contemplation seems to be one of the things that we should perhaps try to regain. Lovely words and a beautiful poem.

Cheers

Maureen

[Kym]

Lovely, as always, IRene. Very peaceful and descriptive. 10/10

[Neville Briggs]

Good on you Irene. In some ways past times were more simple and more natural but then those electric gadgets are not called labour saving devices for no reason.

[mummsie]

Beautiful Irene, just reading this brings a sense of peacefulness to the mind. One of the things I love about our camping trips is the peace and quiet of the bush, no phones, tv's or clocks. Aaargh, the serenity of it.
Really enjoyed it,
Sue.

[worddancer]

Hi Irene, Your words not only describes the scenes, but takes us out of the fast track with the feelings within them.

Thank you for sharing Irene,

Eliza

[vwalla]

Irene
Thank you.
That's what I call POETRY !!
Val W

[Dave Smith]

Irene Good job, I sometime get asked what is the attraction of the bush and why do we go on our desert trips, It’s got a lot to do with the night just sitting in the half dark looking at the sky.

It’s called peace and tranquillity.

But you’re right Neville after a month it’s good to get back to your own bed and en suite.

TTFN

[Leonie]

Irene
Thank you.
That's what I call POETRY !!
Val W

I'll second that. Thank you Irene, just beautiful.