End of Summer Retreat Day Part II

“End of Summer Retreat Day” DS Phone Photo

 

Having observed

The sea

Nature in feathers

Human nature vibrant

It felt urgent that I move on

To the gallery

 

I looked in the closed windows

I meandered the long garden row

I had my quotes in tow

To read on the pier

 

I chose a place on the side rocks

I dozed

I placed some found shells

Three in all beside a

Pilfered recycled

Community garden Sunflower head

 

Proof of my day

I photographed

I read and enjoyed anew my quotes

My perch was comfortable

In the sunny sun and the windy sea

From the side rocks so new to me

 

I looked back at the land

At the place that had once held my art

At the place I had walked rain or shine

To another time

Of celebration

Contemplation came easy now

Of God of times bad and good

Of times misunderstood

Of love and loss

Of times filled with

Life and

New plans came

 

I came off the pier and noticed

So many flowers near pink as I like

I skirted the bike on the lane

To take a picture again

And hiked the 6 blocks back to my car

More at peace than before

And ready to work

 

The studio beckoned but

Exhausted I reckoned a

Rest on the bed instead

And anxiety returned

And the retreat day returned

And the contemplative events

Returned me to

Peace in place of plans

As I survived

A day unworked

A creative day

An interrupted day

A day of play

Of gratitude

To face my class

Homework undone.

 

 

Spiritual Practices:

Silence

Contemplative Walking

Spiritual Reading

Attention to Nature

Prayerful Play

Re-Membering Faith Stories

Practice of Rest

Gratitude

 

Creative Practices:

Collage

Photography

DS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of Summer Retreat Day Part I

“Hand-Painted Collages” by DS Phone Photo

I awoke with an unexpected empty day ahead.  I still hoped for the call or text that would bring my complex plans to fruition before 8:00am.

It was a day of nothing

It was a day of disappointment

It was a day of getting used to a new normal, of not seeing a loved one daily going forward. And a day of waiting for another’s decision.

At 6:30pm I had a class but it was 10 hours away.

 

I felt unsettled, down, post-anger.

It was a day after the rain

It was a day of sun of still summer

It was a day to fill

But I could do no work.  Hopes had been dashed.

 

A new plan came to me

I would practice what I preach

I compiled a personal retreat day

Consisting of

An intention

A drive

A snack

Observation of nature

A walk

Some favourite quotes to read

Something new to do

A rest

And no time limit

Although the parking sign said

Two hours max

 

Energy returned so I did some chores before I left.  Actually truth be told I felt a surge of creativity come over me.

 

I started some collage art cards

Finished one for a friend in recovery

Left the chores for later

Inspiration takes priority today

 

The retreat started with a detour

A visit to a site neglected in my daily round

A place unvisited was photographed

And considered for future thoughts

 

The retreat took a walking turn

A turn toward Ambleside Beach

Rerouted West

Another detour to Crema

Food for the soul could wait

 

The retreat continued at the community garden

Competition for my muffin

A stare from a seagull offering

Unwanted accompaniment

He was big

He was white and grey

He had a yellow and red eye

He was persistent in his

Observation

 

A flashback of Hitchcock’s “Birds” came

My mind reasoned

As I looked at

His hooked

Yellow

Strong beak I felt

Peace as I remembered his

Scavenger character disciplined

In his gaze

I put my muffin away

 

The sun on the sea

Felt new

Felt stolen

Felt gifted

Shifted me to

Another bench

 

A bulldog came catching

A ball next door

I checked that he could not reach me

Not quite

Another danger averted

Subverted my focus

And fears subsided.

 

A couple walked down the lawn

I said Hi rather than

Appear withdrawn

I stretched my face to

A smile she gladly returned and

Reported that she had hidden a chair in a bush

That she would drink her beer and then go to work

At 11:30 am.