F R O S T // a poem (Patreon)

So, you might be thinking... katy.. really? a post about frost in August?! 

When I was on my cross-country road trip a little while back, I went on a hike in Grand Teton National Park. We did a lot of hikes on our trip, but this one was BY FAR my favorite. After about 4 miles of sweat-inducing uphill hiking, past waterfalls and around fallen rocks, the path gave way to a large patch of white. 

Seeing the white earth take shape in the distance, we thought to ourselves, "there's no way that is snow..... in July!" It miraculously was. 

We had a snowball fight in sports bras. Something I never knew that I needed! 

Despite it being August and generously warm here in America, we have snowflakes and frost on the mind in today's post by our poetry contributor, Noelle. 

Give it a read --

“These are the days that must happen to you.” – Walt Whitman

Your life is composed of all the elements of a great story – a setting, a climax, a resolution, and a bevy of characters. 

However, while each of our stories contains the same basic outline, ours is one that can never be replicated by another or understood fully by anyone but ourselves.

I like to imagine our stories as large paperback novels, moving forward page by page. Some people read faster than others, some skip a few chapters, and some take their time tracing each word. 

Our stories link to others with invisible lines as we move on tracks that intersect and then turn the other way. Our stories may contain similar words, plots, or characters, but like each unique snowflake, pieces of our story blend together to create an intricate masterpiece we can call our own and decipher perfectly.

Although at times it can feel like you should be moving faster or doing something differently, don’t give in to the weight of pressure or the temptation to compare yourself to others. 

Your story is unique to you and you’re free to move at any pace you like. There is no rush to finish chapters or to move on to the next. Enjoy the present chapter you’re in and savor it for what it is. 

However, don’t sit idle – know when it’s time to take hold of the reigns and recognize when it’s time to sit back. Everything in due time – you’ll know when change is needed and when it’s time to slow down.

A question to consider: How do you cope with the pressure of feeling like you’re wasting time?

____

About the Author:

Noelle Darilek is a graduate of the University of Texas & has a passion for writing and creating. She enjoys traveling, poetry, and believes breakfast can be enjoyed any time of the day. 

Sparkle image in the graphic is by Sara Shakeel. Graphic layout by Katy.