Day 18 of NaPoWriMo 2024

The drive down Newfoundland's west coast from L'Anse Aux Meadows, the site of North America's only confirmed Viking settlement, reminds me a little of California's glorious Mendocino highway. It was very windy that day.

Better formatting in the post, along with an audio reading of the poem.

* Lessons from the Wind *

Wind bends the grasses
Agitates the sea
Riffling waves roll
From water onto land

While I remain unperturbed
Steadfast
Face into the wind
As all around me
Is buffeted

And this
This is how I want to be
In the storm that is life
Where I am disturbed
By all that moves around me
Perturbed by the rushing flow

I take note
Learn the lessons nature offers
Resolve to become

Resolute as the rocky shore
       Firm against the crashing waves
Supple as the grasses
       Which bend then return to form
Deep as the ocean
       Calm beneath its roiling surface

The wind
Whispers in my ear

Learn this
And you will become peace

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the photograph:

Lessons from the Wind
Highway 430, The Viking Trail
River of Ponds
Newfoundland, Canada

Taken during travels, 2023

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A reading from the blog post:
Lessons from the Wind: https://pixtowords.com/2024/04/18/lessons-from-the-wind/

From my blog Pix to Words: https://pixtowords.com/