Taking a morning walk every day seems a mundane task. It’s exercise, yes, but so much more. Walking is my daily therapy.
This last week, I’ve been walking with a stroller. My daughter is home with her 8 month old while her husband works off-shore. She needs help with the baby while she works from home. We love having them here.
While walking, I stop to chat with neighbors. People are in less of a hurry, and it shows in the way we linger in the shade and talk about the weather, the baby’s eyes, or how we are faring in the pandemic.
While walking, I stop to check on my neighbor’s century plant, now in full bloom. This plant has been in the process of blooming for ten weeks. It has been a source of wonder and hope for all who have seen it. These plants bloom once in their lifetime. After blooming, it dies. I posted it in April for “This Photo wants to be a Poem.”
While walking, I discover Sesame Street songs. When Thomas gets fussy, the best antidote is Elmo. I didn’t know how many popular musicians have done songs with Elmo, Dave Marshall, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, Adam Sandler, and many more. Even after he’s asleep, I keep listening. The songs are uplifting and catchy.
While walking, I may catch a poem of presence.
Morning walk with stroller
Margaret Simon, draft
Elmo’s song La la la
la’s him to sleep.
There are some wonderful #poemsofpresence on Twitter. Consider joining us. What mundane task is keeping you going these days?
Reflections on the Teche 