Why, why, why do I

Always think I

Have more energy

Than I do?

Why, why, why do I

Think I’ll do

More than I’ll ever

Get around to?

Twenty-four seven

Four-thirty a.m till eleven

The days are way too long

And yet they fly

So quickly by

Can’t help but live them wrong

It’s only when the clock stops

And I am in the moment

That life comes by

Looks me in the eye

And says what it so meant

Life is quick

Life’s a kick

Life can be expendable

What we share

Can take us there

And always be commendable

During the week and even into the weekend, I find myself distracted by too many multi-tasking thoughts. So to stop and be in the moment is priceless and irresistible. I think it must be what I love about taking pictures. I am trying to freeze a moment in time, in memory. I am also paying attention, so that inhibits the clutter of distraction. So that must be why it felt so good to pull the camera out on the way in to work the last two mornings–after two weeks of working through lunch or barely getting out at all–to stop and shoot at the river’s edge. It’s a creative process, too; the excitement of seeing something that looks like a potential photograph and trying to capture it with the camera, it’s a vision, however momentary. But it also takes me out of myself and I focus on the subject. And that is why I love birds so very much: they make me forget about me. Reminds me of that line in Joni Mitchell’s song, “All I Want” from the Blue album, “Oh I love you when I forget about me.” But with the birds it’s different. They also remind me of who I really am, without that act I have to put on during the work week.

The ultimate peace is to be relieved of one’s constant mind. I think they used to call it “Nirvana.” (No, this is not intended to be a musical reference this time. 🙂 )

P.S. This House Finch was supposed to be in this post but she somehow didn’t make it.