What is this sense of restlessness, a companion elbowing me on the bus to nowhere in particular; a dynamism like some archaic Discoverer’s gene poking its crusty head out between demands and an uncertain future? Is it a product of attaining a certain age, feeling as though time is running out and I’d better fulfill all dreams and expectations so as to die free from regret? Or is it more fundamental to the human condition?
Awareness of a state of mild agitation surfaces only often enough to cause me to wonder if fulfillment is sustainable. Will satisfaction always seem fleeting; the perfect sauce, the last streaks of sunset with the arching slap of a whale’s tail, egrets on their dusky flight over our house, a toddler’s grin? Back, then, into the throes of longing.
Perhaps variability is the nature of all life on earth; the panther on the prowl, hawk on the wing, wind bristling a porcupine’s quills or the cascade of a mountain stream. Far removed from the vast wandering of the hunter-gatherer, restless feet become rambling mind as residual instinct casts a beacon to all life, awaiting its response.
Pretty picture
Yes, taken after rafting the Deschutes River in Oregon. Thanks.
Exquisite writing as ever; and I love the colour scheme here today.
Thanks much, Hariod! And a Happy New Year to you!
And by the way, this photo was taken on the Deschutes River in Oregon when we last rode rapids in an inflatable raft. Coooold, that river! But lovely 🙂
Confronted
With this assemblage of words
I should split them into lines
And present them
as a poem
I should be quite satisfied with
Haha Ben, yes 😉 I’ve written books of prose which could easily be poems. Guess once a poet, always … Happy New Year!
As to you. 🙂
The poet John O’Donahue (sp?) has a poem about the eternal longing of the human condition, and he believes it is a sacred thing. When I return from vacation I must share it with you, Bela, although your words capture the sense of longing oh so well. I think I was alluding to this in my letter to Santa this year: that I should like more…more of that longing that seems to kindle the fires of accomplishment…
As always, I must think on this some more.
Yes, I believe this longing to be endemic to the human condition. May you recapture more of it in 2015 – this is my New Years wish for you, Ms. VL! 🙂
Wonderful thoughts.. and you have satisfied my own restless spirit this afternoon as I savoured your delicious words.. Many thanks Bela… Enjoy your weekend…
Blessings Sue x
Thanks, Sue! Happy to help 😉
I could see the restless waves in this post, but also felt the calmness water brings to my mind and life. I enjoyed your perspective and the photograph is fantastic, too.
Thanks so much!