This is the time to be slow

The New Year has brought with it some challenging weather conditions. When I saw the sheep huddling together along a hedgerow, seeking shelter from the wind and rain, it reminded me of a poem by the late Irish poet and philosopher John O'Donohue which captures this image. But he was not referring to sheep. 

As we enter a new year I am contemplating all the outstanding tasks on the smallholding which I am slowly catching up on after last year's interruptions. I also thought of Ang's chosen word for the year on her Tracing Rainbows blog - Pace, which I think is appropriate for the circumstances. 

All relatively insignificant in the light of current world events or indeed other's private distresses, maybe. I like to think all can come good in the end whatever our individal contexts in life.

This is the time to be slow,

Lie low to the wall

Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let

The wire brush of doubt

Scrape from your heart

All sense of yourself

And your hesitant light.

If you remain generous,

Time will come good;

And you will find your feet

Again on fresh pastures of promise,

Where the air will be kind

And blushed with beginning.

          John O'Donohue (1956 - 2008)

Photo: Helen Wilkinson, Wiki Commons