She is no bigger than three inches tall and I fell in love with the figurine as soon as I saw it. She reminded me of my daughter when she was a toddler, always curious, always full of wonder, complete with Pebbles hairstyle. I just had to buy it. I found it the other day while decluttering. I dusted it, reaching tiny spaces with a cotton bud, looked at it and wondered, can I reframe my thoughts of feeling trapped into a feeling of curiosity?
It did start that way but five days in, the idea started to get old, even though I am in my own space. Trapped because I am only eight days into my self imposed isolation. I wanted to experience what 14 days of isolation would feel like so I could understand how others feel. It’s not a nice feeling but reframing constantly, this is an exercise of safety for self and others, brings some comfort and enhances resilience.
In the mornings I feel like I am an animal in the zoo. The lorikeets watch me through the windows. The Willy Wagtail goes through a couple of hours of agitation, chit chitting along the windows, and patio, peering at me and buzzing the glass. I suspect a nest is being built in the mulberry tree. I experienced the same territorial behaviour two years ago when the bird constantly buzzed me when I went out with laundry. How tiny they are but at the moment, they are freer than me. I feel a shift in power and tip toe around my home, making my movements small and slow in submission.
Space is meaningful to me in so many ways. The space in one’s ‘head’ is specially interesting to me. Sometimes we create our own zoo of thoughts. We trap them. We examine them like they were exotic. Sometimes we yearn to domesticate them. Or like the Willy Wagtail, we become territorial about them. Some we set free and watch them soar, a feeling of relief, a feeling of letting go, like they were ours to set free. They never were. They set us free.
I’ve had an idea in my head and would love someone to paint or draw it for me, preferably with charcoal on white paper. The concept is a simple one. An open field. A some visible fence posts. A single, delicate, barbed wire hanging between the posts. The art would be called Freedom. When I think of this concept, I’ve often wondered, which side of the barbed wire do you have to be to experience freedom?
These days, I too am standing on my toes, filled with curiosity thinking about this.
Until next time
As always
a dawn bird
In response to Word of the Day Challenge – Zoo
At the end of the main street that has no more than ten shops I think, is the pub (on the right).
The Drovers’ Inn, circa 1909, is something out of a movie set. I learnt the hard way. To buy a drink, avoid the bar when it is shearing season! The Bottle Shop entrance on the right with the discreet blue sign is a better bet! The meals here are amazing.
About 30 km out of Karratha in mining country, the Burrup Peninsular is a pretty special place, especially at sunset. It is also a place of controversy with the gas exploration near by.
I’ve been here a few times but mostly seek sunset near the water. One evening we decided to take a walk instead. With light was fading and with no torch, although my travelling companion was more adventurous, I was not keen to walk back to the car in the dark. So it was a short stay among the fearsome hot rocks.
The art here is thousands of years old, some newer (1800s). I felt a deep sense of reverence in this ancient place. This place did not have the prominence of prime time TV slots. It did not vie for attention with the glorious sunset. Yet, it captivated my attention and my spirit. It quietened me and put me in a meditative space. It was a library of life, how it was lived, by the hunters and gatherers. It emitted a message. The understanding of it, was mine to keep in the moment, interpret later, and pass on. So I am.
They are almost always in a flock or at least a pair or two. I’ve watched them for hours and have never observed conflict. They seem to know, there is plenty of food for all.
They go about their life, without a backward glance at raptors. They live mindfully, in the here and now.
They are curious about the new.
Stop long enough to look at the world around them.
They are relaxed, and focused, when they observe.
And, yes, these energetic, beautiful little birds do take time to rest.
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