We may try to think of you, Time,
but you, Time, think of yourself continually,
without need of imagination, assistance, or witness.— Jane Hirshfield, an excerpt of her poem Time Thinks of Time*
Time was a thief this month… or perhaps it was its typical selfish-self… as the minutes, hours, days, and weeks raced past.
I have spent as much of my time as I could, settled into Time… the book… and when reading was not possible, I listened and re-listened to some of the essays read by the authors here. (You will find Jane reading her poem, Time Thinks of Time in the list… and it is so very worth the listen!)
What a perfect serendipitous gift this issue was… and it has made me think and rethink my thoughts on time. Perhaps it is just being at this point in my life, closer to the end than to the beginning, that the focus on time has bubbled to the surface of my thinking. But I had so many things that tipped me towards this word last year… far too many to be a coincidence. I think perhaps that some other force gently nudged me into thinking about time. I am so glad I followed the nudges because it has been a magnificent year of learning! It makes me a little sad to turn the calendar from November to December in a few short days, ushering in my last month with this word.
Except… it won’t really be the end, will it? Time being a constant… at least as we know it in our days. Or is there a way to change our perception of time. As Ms. Hirshfield so brilliantly reminds me in her poem, “What might be different, could we interrupt you?”
And so, this month, I set out to discover ways to do just that… interrupt time. I’d like to say that I found an abundance of things, but sadly that is not true… there was not enough time… but the thing that topped the list turns out to be the best interrupter ever created! That is, of course, wee Franklin. He is the Master Time Disrupter! But then, he is currently the Master Disrupter of All Things!
Master Disrupter of All Days wondering if there will be a second brekkie today…pretty please?!
But despite his disruptions this month I was reminded that the simple act of knitting a row or two is an excellent pause on racing time… that and a quietly napping pup!
I shall continue to contemplate ways of interrupting time… and perhaps the act of contemplating is the first (and best?) interrupter of time!
As always, I am so thankful that Carolyn provides a space for us to share each month. Way back when I started having a word focus, I had much to learn… and staying focused was not easy! Carolyn helped cement this practice for me by providing a reminder and a space to share. I cannot thank her enough for all that she has given to me!
Stop by and see how others fared with their words this month!
*Time thinks of Time by Jane Hirshfield published in Emergence Magazine, Volume 5: Time.
This has been such a great word for you this year Kat. And I do think that Franklin needs a second breakfast!
How can you resist that sweet face? I think it’s time for Franklin’s second breakfast! I always think of Annie Dillard when I think about time: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” I think you are spending your days and time wisely.
Puppies can make me feel old and young at the same time. Their energy is endless!! Enjoy those one row knitting times 🙂
Franklin is such a cutie – he must make Sherman so happy to see you so happy!
Time is crazy. Some things seem to zip by, and then others last forever – but never necessarily the way you wish they would.
I hope your time, especially in this week of Thanksgiving, treats you well.
Franklin’s puppy stage makes me think back to my baby years, when Time doesn’t feel like ‘our own’ (but still is, of course, just…differently). Snagging those moments for a row or a page or, I remember, a 2 minute (!!) meditation in my closet while my first child resisted her nap. Again.
Could his little face get any cuter? Yes, yes, let’s do have a second brekkie! ♥
I’m sure the disruptions Franklin are providing are of the best kind! And there’s nothing like dealing with a small person (or dog) who has no concept of time to get us to think of our own feelings and thoughts about it.
What a thoughtful post Kat. That little Frankie is the cutest guy ever. There is nothing like a young person or pet to keep us grounded in the here and now.
Oh, Franklin! Master Disrupter of Time! What a precious pup! His little face is so sweet . . . even if he has no sense of time. XO