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| Rita Bourland © 2010 "Macaws Along the Scioto River" |
“Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes
US author & physician (1809 - 1894)
My brain sometimes gets in a rut,
Unwilling to break new ground:
A curve in the road,
An uncharted path,
Seems foreign,
Forbidding,
Unsafe.
In youth, I tried every new thing,
Climbing rocks,
Climbing trees,
Taking risks.
I’m not sure when the change
Came to pass.
Why the worry
About change,
Why the worry about risk?
Nothing ventured
Means nothing is gained;
New ideas
Bring delight,
New adventures
Bring flight,
From the same old,
Same old,
Every day.
So tomorrow I’ll try something new,
And maybe the day after that,
And before too much time
I’ll be back to my youth,
My brain will
have formed a new path.
Just like that.
Oliver Wendell Holmes
US author & physician (1809 - 1894)
My brain sometimes gets in a rut,
Unwilling to break new ground:
A curve in the road,
An uncharted path,
Seems foreign,
Forbidding,
Unsafe.
In youth, I tried every new thing,
Climbing rocks,
Climbing trees,
Taking risks.
I’m not sure when the change
Came to pass.
Why the worry
About change,
Why the worry about risk?
Nothing ventured
Means nothing is gained;
New ideas
Bring delight,
New adventures
Bring flight,
From the same old,
Same old,
Every day.
So tomorrow I’ll try something new,
And maybe the day after that,
And before too much time
I’ll be back to my youth,
My brain will
have formed a new path.
Just like that.
(This photo may seemingly not fit this post, but I tried something new today. I took a walk along a path by the river and came upon a man sitting on a park bench with his two pet macaws. They could say hello and peek-a-boo. He has a special room in his house for them - they do not live in cages - he just mops up the floor each day. So, I think this fits the tenor of what I speak of in my poem.)
Absolutely wonderful post!! This poem is one of my favorites Rita & the picture is fantastic. This man really loves his birds. His face says it all & you captures that. Hummm, try something new everyday - I like that very much --xxooo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Marti. Seeing this man today was so totally unexpected and he was simply delighted to share his bird stories. He runs a pet sitting/walking business called Feathers and Furs. It was funny because I had already written the poem this morning and then saw him this afternoon. Somehow I think it was meant to be. Love, Rita
ReplyDeleteI completely know what you mean with this poem, I don't know why the brain can form frustrating patterns that do not seem beneficial. I try new thing each day as well!
ReplyDeleteThere are many patterns we fall into as humans that are not beneficial to our well-being. I have always been impressed with the way you embrace new ideas, Amber. You have a true artist's eye for seeing things in new ways. Thanks for the comment. Love, Rita
ReplyDeleteJust looking at the picture is something that is new! People are SO interesting!
ReplyDeleteThey sure are, Libby. He was such a happy guy and really took such good care of his birds. It was a treat to talk with him.
ReplyDelete