Slice of Life Story Challenge March 5- What My Morning Walk Revealed


I like to walk in the mornings, work permitting. I like to walk briskly for about one hour. Apart from the health benefits of such action, it affords me time to think, observe and connect to the world around me. It also serves as a time for rehearsal. My writing life is well served by this time.

This morning I walked with the deliberate intention of harvesting sensory treasure from the trip into my neighbourhood. Listed below are my observances from this morning’s walk:

Nunn's Walk, Mornington ,Victoria, Australia

  • The joyous caroling of magpies in the morning
  • The aromas of the earth rising up as the warmth of the day began its inevitable rise.
  • The nonchalant indifference of mudlarks to passing walkers
  • Neil Young’s continuing downplaying of burning castles
  • A blanket of grey sky denying the sun its appointed time to shine
  • The rude stench of recently emptied garbage bins
  • The sweet smell of 'Cecile Brunner' roses wafting from an elderly neighbour’s garden
  • The vastness of the bay, silent and enormous stretching all the way to the horizon
  • The stillness of the coastal scrub and bushes
  • The distinctive smell of lavender hedges
  • Cocker-spaniel are not always willing walking partners
  • Not every walker you pass chooses to acknowledges your presence in their day
  • Nunn's Walk's curvaceous form creating so many blind corners
  • The sense that I am better for this experience
  • My eternal gratefulness for the music in my ears
The view across Port Philip Bay towards Mount Martha, Victoria, Australia 






Comments

  1. shaggerspicchu5 March 2016 at 21:17

    Alan, I love the descriptions of your walk. The imagery you create is perfect. It sounds like you have a really nice morning escape.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright6 March 2016 at 11:23

      Thank you for your kind response. I am indeed fortunate to have this world to escape into.

      Delete
  2. mbhmaine5 March 2016 at 21:44

    I also find that my writing life, and my life in general are enhanced by getting out into Nature. You've got some great descriptions here--"rude stench" is one of my favorites. I feel soothed just by reading about your walk and I'm sure the firsthand benefits for you are even greater. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright6 March 2016 at 11:25

      Molly, that enhancement you mention is indeed essential. Writing takes us away, so reconnecting with the wider nourishes our soul.

      Delete
  3. Dogtrax5 March 2016 at 21:45


    The answer was in my hand,
    that night as I spied
    the white cane laying in the gutter,
    and wondered about the Other;
    Ideas filtering through the alley at dawn
    forcing me to turn around to find you standing there
    like a building scraping the sky, and still you held on,
    turning around, finding me -- finding you -- turning --
    don't let it get you down ....

    --Kevin, lifting your idea and Neil to make a poem as word soundtrack here in the comment bin. Feels forced, but there I am ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright6 March 2016 at 11:27

      What a duo! Thanks Kevin for responding in your unique style.

      Delete
  4. Unknown5 March 2016 at 21:50

    Alan, I feel as if I was on that morning walk. I appreciate the sensory descriptors followed by the emotions that sensory stimulation evoked. Walking is good for the soul.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright6 March 2016 at 11:29

      Always great to have someone to share the journey Deborah and it is part of a writer's responsibility to take the reader with them.

      Delete
  5. Kimberley Moran5 March 2016 at 22:54

    "A blanket of grey sky denying the sun its appointed time to shine." When I walk (and I haven't walked at all this winter--shame on me), I always always see imagery I had forgotten to remember. thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright6 March 2016 at 11:30

      Thank you for your close reading Kimberley. I enjoyed writing that line.

      Delete
  6. aileenhower6 March 2016 at 00:00

    This reminds me of Don Murray and Ralph Fletcher's advice to writers. Keep that journal and notice all that is around them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright6 March 2016 at 11:32

      Aileen, I am humbled by the association. A writer must be a keen observer and that is something that often sets us apart from the vast majority of people. We notice things and react through our writing. It is the essence of living life twice.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous6 March 2016 at 04:00

    What a bountiful sensory harvest. Thanks for cataloging and sharing this morning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright6 March 2016 at 11:35

      Brian, I thank you for responding. It did indeed feel like I was harvesting those sensory details. It made me more conscious of being alive.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous6 March 2016 at 14:28

    I visualize your walk. Your words nudge me "See he likes walking". I enjoy your words as they lead me to investigate your journey. Thank you for letting me tag along.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright6 March 2016 at 16:16

      My absolute pleasure. Your response to my writing piece sustains me.

      Delete

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