See Differently by Isabel Cook
Stop & stand a while, look yonder what do you see?
It is not just green hilled pasture & wooded copse,
But nature speaking to us visibly with no throat to voice.
But talk to us just the same.
Beauty spread out like a multi coloured quilt for us to take in.
There begins the love affair.
Be grateful you have eyes to see.
You have been blinded for years.
9-5 got in the way.
You missed the time to enjoy the beauty on your doorstep.
City streets are all you know,
But there is beauty in those if you know how to look.
The slated tiled roofs packed close together.
Many voices with languages from different continents,
Smells of delicious spices permeate & fill the nostrils.
Music of varied tones hushed & muted, Loud & hard to understand,
People are surviving in the Urban jungle.
Bright alive & wonderful
Your eyes can not see past the grey.
But on a fair summer’s day
England at her finest to rivel any continental paradise.
True we are not blessed with an abundance of warm balmy days.
But do not dismiss the grey so familiar to us.
Hazy damp misty mornings wondering who stole the sun.
But the day clearing & beauty finds us gazing at our surroundings,
Watching clouds reflected on still water gently flowing.
The fish biting a dramatic slay gathering.
Then there again spots of rain to keep our land lush & green.
There is beauty in grey so do not close your eyes.
Be thankful for all the sight allotted you.
For there may come a day you may have to cast things you see to memory
As the grey falls across your eyes & you are robbed of your sight
You then will be glad for the memories.
For some they have never seen what you have been fortunate to see.
So be grateful for the gift of sight & that you had time to appreciate.
& take in the beauty surrounding you
& then when the sun warms your skin
You will remember & smile.
Then recall & when the rain drops drip on to your neck & down your back.
You will remember & smile.
Then see with clarity the lush green hilled pasture spread out before you.
& smell the fresh county air.
Then when you hear the thunder, you will recall the dramatic sky.
With clouds gathering before the storm.
Touch, smell feel & sound will replace your eyes.
But you will still see the beauty surrounding you in the mind’s eye.
And when you hear the sound of music from close terraced houses
Then when your nostrils are filled with the smell of spices
You will recall it all & know that you know the scene so well.
You will see differently, but you will still see.
So, while you have the time to look take it all in
Consign every sight sound smell touch & feel to memory, therefore.
You will not fear the dark as the shutters close in.