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 
Your walks sound lovely. What a gift to be able to spend some time with your grandson! Enjoy your walks and Elmo!
That plant is spectacular! Enjoy it and the time spent with your grandson.
WOW! Margaret, thanks to you, I clicked to read the facts about this plant that I have never heard of before, from our other post. Thanks to you, i enjoyed a poem from the other post and then a poem at the end of this post. And I’m intrigued to also look up and listen to Elmo songs! (I think it is allowed, without a stroller!!) Your post shows a loving grandma, a caring neighbor, and an inquisitive reader of her world who then writes all about what she discovers. I am so glad I took time to read your post today! I love how sometimes you write a story, sometimes a poem, sometimes nonfiction. Thanks for sharing.
Sometimes I feel like my writing is all over the place. I’m happy to know you enjoyed it and were inspired. Does my heart good.
Thank you for this post, Margaret! I feel like I just enjoyed the restorative power of a walk after reading it. It’s so lovely, and so present. The century plant is stunning, too, and I’m so glad to see the picture of it blooming.
A post full of positive moments and joys. I didn’t know a century plant would bloom that long – thankfully, so it can be enjoyed for a while before it dies. Sesame Street songs … one year at school we had a kindergartner who had many regular screaming “meltdowns” and my colleague and I discovered that Sesame Street video songs would calm her and keep her calm.
Margaret, Your walk with Thomas is full of noticing and wonderings. The ending was a surprise but one I really liked. I put myself in your place and dreamt of strolling my little Aurora as Sierra walks alongside. I know you are thoroughly enjoying having Thomas with you. His smile must make the mundane extraordinary.
So glad you’re getting stroller time. I need to google Elmo songs. The Century plant is new to me. Off to learn more about it. Happy strolling!
Thank you for taking us on a walk with you today. I really appreciated how you shared your thoughts as you strolled, and much of what you said created links in my own mind – not unlike the links you shared. I’ve been loving walking, too, and I remember singing songs from musicals to my boys as we walked. Elmo is an inspiration! I’m glad you are getting this time with Thomas and your daughter. And I’m glad to learn more about the century plant. Mmm… maybe you’ll take us for a walk (or a paddle) again soon.
I, too, have been working everyday and finding it physically and emotionally uplifting. I envy your “stroller time”. Miss our grand kids so much. Today, we’ll visit them and sit outside with masks on. I’m grateful for that, but simply ache t hug and kiss them.
Margaret, what a lovely slice of your life today. How wonderful that you can be there for the baby and your daughter. I’m sure she is soooo thankful! Century plants are amazing, aren’t they? Thanks for the walk today!
~Denise
What a wonderful walk! Your poem captures it. It’s so sweet to spend time with a grandchild. I walk nearly everyday as well and it does feed my soul to feel the breeze and see the trees and sky. I wish century trees grew in NY because I’d sure like to see one.
Wow–that century plant. And hooray for your morning walks with Leo. I make it a point to get outside and walk one or several times a day. I’m on my desk treadmill much of the day, so the outdoor walks are about connecting and renewal. Not much chatting with neighbors, but just feeling more grounded to the world. Love your poem.