01 October 2010

Opposition


Restlessness surging -- gray skies and clouds scudding overhead -- winds blowing, whipping trees into a frenzy --

The changing seasons always seems to make one unsettled, as if trying to get the sea legs squared away beneath one --

The urge to drive straight north up to the Canadian border non-stop, to see mountains and hillsides slipping gold and scarlet petticoats mixed with the scent of pine --

One theory in American history is that the westward expansion was fueled by the growing sense of claustrophobia here on the East Coast, with its' crowded cities and towns.

I believe it. Henry Thoreau's acreage around Walden Pond is surrounded by developments and corporations leaking out from the Boston area. The Cape is a long string of beach motels and cottages, many strung with for sale signs.

But one must slog on. Soon we adjust -- to the light, to the growing cold, to the crowded highways and strip malls.

An escape hatch is needed -- where do we find them?

Inside our heads as we feel for the edges of our space . . . 

in one breath
leaves fall --
skies open wide

*   *   *

You see, I want a lot.
Perhaps I want everything:
the darkness that comes with every infinite fall
and the shivering blaze of every step up.
Rilke 

5 comments:

layers said...

very thoughtful words.. love Rilke.. and your collage is wonderful.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

I like everything you wrote and Rilke too! Autumn is my favorite even though it is sometimes hard to find here at the beach.
I like this piece very much...the blocks of creamy white work beautifully next to the shades of green!

ArtPropelled said...

What a beautiful collage. The thumbnail was very eye catching in Donna's sidebar. Yes we all need escape hatches.....life seems to be getting more and more frenetic, especially with christmas in sight. Love the words of Rilke.

Caterina Giglio said...

yes, inside our heads.... wonderful images from your words Kelly, and of course love rilke, your piece is wonderfully serene...

Magyar said...

...and Kelly, you understand why Kathy and I love the time at 'our pond;' away from that lack of civility, and the compressions of egos along this business coastline... and into our 'civil moments among the wild.'
_m