Saturday, April 11, 2009

What Colour is the Wind?



Today is a typical April day in this part of the world.

Some very wet rain, a little watery sunshine, breath-taking winds, squally showers, bright spells and a couple of horrendous downpours. Everything that a body could need to dispel any seasonal blues that might be lurking around. The excitement and suspense of not knowing whether one is going to make it safely through the next hour without being soaked to the skin or, whether, the powers that be will smile benignly on the ant-like creatures scurrying about their oh-so-important business and spare them the ignominy of the drowned-rat masquerade.

It helps to be an optimist.

On with the running shoes and the dreaded raingear. Off with the ill-concealed pessism and reluctance. "We'll feel great afterwards" we mutter. Heads down, loins girded, we brace ourselves for whatever Nature can throw at us.

Character building.

I like the wind. Her noisy roar whispers seductively in my ear of immense power and incumbent humility. "My way or your way" she sings ... "Come dance with me..."

Three miles down the wild river bank we meet a lone walker braving the elements.
We regularly meet this man. He is always alone. Now. He used to have an old, far from handsome, dog that smiled. Just like the man.

Each time we meet, we exchange weather impressions, opinions on the state of the country, the world, and always wish each other well as we shuffle past. Today, he said, in passing, "Its like an orchestra out there .. the wind ... mother nature indulging her passions ... Do ye remember that story about the little blind boy that asked his dad ... what colour is the wind?"
All the time striding along. "Have a nice run, ladies".

This man, with a few sentences, lifted my heart, releasing my spirit to soar and swoop through a rainbow of wind. I wanted to sing, to shout, to roar my gratitude to his soul.

I can't explain why his words had such a profound effect on me.

I am just so very grateful to him for awakening my senses, for showing me the way to a different reality.


photo credit: www.digalist.com

12 comments:

Warty Mammal said...

Lovely. Thank you.

Birdydownunder said...

I am so glad the wind has some friends. It just messes with my head. Easter thoughts to you. hugs

Lee said...

A good lesson, at many levels. Thank you.

molly said...

Obviously the wind and the rain aren't pressing down on him or squelching his imagination! No wonder his dog smiled--he was walking with a poet!

The photo is perfect!

J Cosmo Newbery said...

We never know what seeds we plant.

Pam said...

Aha, running. That's why you're so slim. Well, at least you're not enjoying it; that's some comfort.

Anonymous said...

An orchestra. I love that.

fifi said...

I have not been here for so long, I had missed your last couple of posts.
The weather here today is uncharacteristically similar to that which you have described there!


As a skier, your tale of the broken person sent a shiver into my heart. Terrible, but I am glad they are recovering...

meggie said...

Our weather has been exactly as you described. Ours is Autumn, yet yours must be Spring.
The colours are perfect. Lovely post!

Pauline said...

what color is the wind - that;s poetry now isn't it?

Maddy said...

That's a great way to start the day. Thank you.
Cheers

Maddy said...

No update? That was back in April!