My Little Valley World

Dear Old World,

You are very lovely...

I used to walk barefoot on a black-paved road. I used to fling my windows wide and welcome the sun. The smell of earth piggy-backed off the mountain breeze, and I’d smile a carefree grin and know not yet. I’d swing away, overlooking my little valley world, and dream what it’s time would look like for me. Back and forth. Momentum carried me in the pendulum arc of a grandfather clock. Back and forth…

I lost myself. It’s time came and in fact is still here. I said ‘goodbye’ to my little valley world and settled in a place of opposites. Slow became fast. Wandering became busy. Quiet became loud. Peace became angry. And I absorbed it all, this new world of opposites. I forgot to open my window. Shadows haunted my room. Sickness crept in of more kinds than one. Fast. Busy. Loud. Square pegs in round holes, their timing and placement lost on me.

Then I fell in love with Winter, my once-upon-a-time, mountain-dwelling nemesis. I fled to him when Summer turned traitor. He whispered to me of wandering, and I cracked the door to taste. Busy pulled me back, and I found something to do. Fast called my name and put me to work. Quiet honked its horn and shouted in anger at my slowness. I cracked my bedroom window. Winter reached his fingers through the space and pulled himself inside. He smelled of a lake, earthy and moist, just warm enough to beckon but cool enough to layer.

He became to me what Summer once was. An old friend. I threw open the window and pushed my bed next to it. I gave music a corner and creativity the same. Then I pulled on a sweater and flew out the door. The sun welcomed me back, and the breeze played with my hair. Busy has its place, but wandering calls me home. Fast is therapeutic on a highway straight and wide. Loud is a welcome guest on the backs of music and glee.

Anger becomes sadness when I’m pushed to be something I’m not. I said ‘goodbye’ to my little valley world, but Dear Old World I found you still, in this land of opposites.

Stay Curious,

Olivia

P.S. Mmm, not today...

Original image credit to Tetiana Bovanenko