Feel the Beat

October 29, 1992

The native people say "We were all born with a drum...our heartbeat."


Life is rhythm

From birth to death
Feel the beat
Seconds, minutes, hours, 
     Days, weeks, months, years
Seconds, minutes, hours,
     Days, weeks, months, years
Feel it
Time in all its patterns
     Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset
          Fall, winter, spring, summer
                Fall, winter, spring, summer
Feel it
It's the pulse of everyday actions
     Wake up, hit the alarm
          Shower, brush teeth, dress
     Wake up, hit the alarm
          Shower, brush teeth, dress

It's the cacophony of traffic
     Whirring engines, squealing tires
         Honking horns, people's shouts
             Train rails clacking
Feel it
It's the pace of a normal school day 
    Morning bell, pledge, daily announcements
         Talk, work, talk, walk halls
                Another bell, another day
Feel it
It's the cadence of nature
     Winds rustling, squirrels skittering
          Lightning sparking, waves crashing
               Buds sprouting, birds chirping
Feel it
It's the pulsating emotions
     The frantic pace of fear
          The lightness of laughing
               The somberness of sorrow
Feel it
It's sounds and silence
     It's chaotic noise or soothing notes
         Deep thoughts or spiritual meditations
               Dreamlike escapes or riotous celebrations
Feel it
Pound a rhythm on my hand drum
Feel it
Pound...pound...pound
     The power of a universal language
          Gaining speed in thunderous voice or
                Slowing to a tapping whisper
Experience it
Everything is rhythm

     Even silence
         Even silence
              Even silence
Feel the beat


     


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hunter Quigley Coe

Saturday, June 13, 2015 Today I attended the funeral of a former pupil of mine, Hunter Quigley Coe. When one is a principal (and a teacher), all the pupils who cross your path remain "your kids." You might not ever see them once they leave your walls, or you might run into them from time to time, or follow them through all the media connections, and they might never know that you think about them, but in your heart, they are still and always will be "your kids." It's so difficult to understand how a vibrant, young man who truly loved "family" can take his life, but I am not here to judge. So as I face the death of Hunter, a concern I have had for some time once again slaps me in the face, and that is our society's lack of acknowledgement, understanding, and resources related to mental health. Granted I am elderly, but suddenly within the last three years I am connected to three individuals now who have family members who took their lives. The pa...
Read more

Las Vegas Tragedy

Sunday, October 1, 2017 A very sad day for Americans, because once again we have bloodshed on our hands--and I do mean us and our very own hands, because we can't figure out a way to stop our politicians, our lobbyists, the NRA, from holding innocent human beings hostage to their greed, need for power, their lack of common sense. Don't get me wrong, there are so many issues for which I hold myself responsible as well, because I can't seem to muster up the the guts to give up things that would do good for myself, for others. I can't seem to muster up the leadership to drive a campaign of sorts against some of these things. Being frustrated and sad just doesn't work anymore for me, but I am unsure what to get involved in or if I have the energy to get involved in something. However, if everyone is saying that, then where will be in five...ten....heck, just a year from now.  So sad and disappointed in myself. Disappointed in our supposed leadership that cares onl...
Read more

Reviewing My 2017 Word-Balance

Image
February 22, 2018 Wow! It is the end of February and I have not even graded myself on last year's word--BALANCE. Hmmm maybe that says something about my success or failure with this. However, I am not going to be too hard on myself for lots of reasons. So to refresh myself on my goals, I was hoping for the following: Balance for physical health because it is one of the greatest issues for seniors. So I will try to do balance exercises on land and during my aquacize time. Balance of nourishment....remembering to eat to live, not live to eat. Balance of family and friends and me. Balance of my time...I have so many interests but I need to schedule myself a bit better to be able to do the many things I enjoy. Interesting indeed. Well, I believe I worked pretty hard on actual physical balance through my swimming and my strength and balance class. Life sometimes interferes with this but I am proud of myself for always returning. I also have been very conscious of balance ...
Read more