Rounding the corner, I scared a tiny bird
who had been chasing a white feather
nest building, lining it softly
Other birds chatter in my silver birch tree
calling out news and flights to my roof
the underground fungi has started saplings
Flowers are blooming, ending and budding
color continues in the garden, not mine-
it’s owned by the creatures who make it their home
Published in The Lark
Yesterday, my garden was finished. I have such gratitude for my garden. It is peaceful even though one can hear children playing, the occasional lorry at the roundabout 200 yards away.
So my garden celebrates Earth Day with me. I rejoice in nature as it reminds me of the splendour of God. All those intricate patterns on leaves. On flowers. On the birds that feed at my feeders and seek worms in the soil.
It is magical to me. I take rest there. I snooze there. I read there. A garden is healing to the soul like a drink is refreshing to the body.
I hope you have enjoyed Earth Day and find ways to lighten your tread upon this planet.
I did not sleep well last night despite the window being ajar. I don’t know why. So, this morning I slept until noon, being woken by knocking in my dream which was actual knocking. I have no idea who it was.
At this time of year, I start to count the days off until the Solstice. In my mind I am doing this but I can no longer see the sun. I am aware of sunset because the glow is just visible. I can’t see the sun at all, because of the monstrosity they have built in front of my house.
In terms of beauty of nature, they have taken my greatest wealth – the view from my bedroom where I write. I was able to see the mouth of the harbour, ferries coming in and out, the chain ferry across the entrance, and at night, all the lights. The yachts sailing, windsurfers. It’s all gone from me and it affects my mental health.
I used to smile at that view. A smile is good for your mind. That view would beckon me outdoors… It reminded me of how big the world is and all the places I’ve been.
I watched Ireland beat Georgia at rugby today. Ireland did not play well, in spite of the score. I’ve seen Ireland play far better against the All Blacks. Against many teams. They won, and that’s what matters.
I feel sad. The pandemic has not been terrible for me, but it has messed up my social life.
I miss masculinity in my life. My Dad, my Uncle. I am grateful they did not live to endure the pandemic.
I like men. I don’t mean in a sexual way. I just mean I miss men.
Is published by Dream Well Writing. So many thanks to Mel Wardle Woodend.
The Buzzard
Remember those late afternoon trips
to the beach? You would almost
always spot a bird of prey
hovering, watching, before diving
The day I recall is a buzzard
hanging in the sky. You pointed
and we chorused ”where? where?”
clambering around the car to see
You pointing, and still driving
Always calm, you gifted nature
to me
This anthology is in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society, on the 25th anniversary
Other sounds may pollute our environment or space with less noticeable effects but they all affect us on some way.
We all tend to agree that the sound of waves at the shore is peaceful and soothing. Even if classical music is not our taste, there few pieces that make our heart rates increase, or give us headaches. We tend to like birdsong, flowing streams, the wind among trees, lullabies, and, generally, human voices.
When my daughter was born, I made a low, hum sort of sound whenever I picked her up, fed her, bathed her etc. It was a sound that she associated with love and safety. When she began to cry, I would make this sound and her crying would stop almost immediately. I used this sound whenever she was upset all through her life. A few years ago, I asked her what it made her feel. She said a warm sensation, a feeling of comfort. That had been my intention when she was born.
There are sounds we hear everyday that damage our bodies. We are matter. That means that our bodies vibrate, as all matter vibrates. Sound is caused by the vibration of matter too. Drills, tractors, sirens, traffic, alarms, smoke alarms all affect us on a regular basis. If we work in a noisy environment, those sounds may be destroying cells in our body without us realising it. Some work places provide ear mufflers, but those don’t protect passers-by.
So, for me, high pitched sounds, like my neighbour’s wind chimes, dentist drills, and anything whiney is destructive. Partly because I have PTSD from having open brain surgeries. (PTSD and sound is a whole other subject.) I also know that pneumatic drills, and some synthesised music is detrimental to me.
If you get headaches, unaccountable irritability, run down, or any other symptoms that affect your life, make a note of sounds you hear regularly or around that time, and then see how you can avoid them by changing the route you walk, or changing a place you regularly drink coffee, or changing your job.
You can find an app. for your phone named Healing Sounds, or Ocean Waves. These repair damage to our bodies. Better still is plenty of walks in woods, by the sea, or a river or streams.
Writer and psychologist. My health, a journey with two life shortening diseases 
You must be logged in to post a comment.