for now the Earth tells us
to be still: to stop for a
moment and listen to the
birdsong outside the
window; to take the time
to breathe the fresh air
outside the front door; to
let footsteps wander out
along paths to green spaces,
those ones that only locals
ever know; for now is the
time to slow down, and
to watch the butterflies
as they patrol among the
blossoms: for there is no
finish line to race towards
other than the setting of
the sun, and the rule of
only one hour allowed
out of doors, for exercise
An Enchanted Place 