I once read of a climber who, while clinging to the face of a climb thousands of feet above an alpine valley, said he could feel the earth turn under his hands. And I have read that a person with patience could move an aircraft carrier tied at a dock by leaning long enough against its side to get it started, knowing that once it began to move there’d be no bringing it back, and it came to me that the earth behaves like that, steadily moving out into time under the common pressure of billions of hands.
No stopping it now.
~ Ted Kooser, December. The Wheeling Year: A Poet’s Field Book
Credits: Photograph – boulderporn
Beautiful words and idea. And what a beautiful back…just saying!
Focus! Focus!
Apologies.
Yes, centimeter by centimeter. As for the back, who am I to argue?
To paraphrase a pop song “It’s All About The Back” – sorry, pal. His back is definitely worthy of mention here, just sayin’. As for the thought that Sisyphus might have ultimately made some progress is heartening. For it always moves and morphs…yes.
It’s the shoulders that do it for me. 😉
Oh Boy. Did this photo miss the mark. Who knew that the female species would disregard the magnificent Kooser work for a man’s back (and shoulders)? 🙂
Great image…..of the back. Lol. I’m actually reminded of Carole King’s song, “I Feel the Earth Move.”
Great song and yes, reminder for me too.
Love the quote – and thanks for the christmas gift idea: just bought the book for my teenage poet daughter. I will include the photo and quote from the post in the gift. (If the text isn’t intriguing enough…well maybe that back….)
And another shout-out for that back–honey hush….. Oh yeah, I liked the passage, too. 😉 Seriously, Ted Kooser is my new literary crush–does he ever make a misstep?….
Smiling, skipping over the back-man-crush thing – shocking how the women are gushing – and no, Our Man Kooser doesn’t misstep…
Wooow… Article and photo
Me too Rajiv. Thank you!
Ah!! At the edge of reality we are, making each moment as we go.
Not too much pressure, eh? 🙂
Smiling, Yes.
What a wonderful way of looking at things. I love it 🙂
He’s amazing Sarah…I agree.
I love this post – if only we could move proverbial mountains to stop evil.
Yes Darlene. Loved it too…
I hope his cell phone doesn’t ring just now.
Could be Domino’s Pizza!
Oh no! What a dilemma!
What back!? 🙂 !!
I really want to to know who shot that image and where they had to be to get it!!
And what would they be prepared to do to help if that climber got a cramp in his toes.
Laughing (as to the “What Back”) comment. You are late to the party. The fawning that has been going on over the “back” – wow. And yes, you have to applaud the photographer, who ever and however he / she did it.
I’m so often late to the party, I like to just focus on the fact that I make it! I want to see the shot of the photographer getting that shot. I arrive late and ask for unique snacks… 😉
So that’s what Ted Kooser looks like? He got a great back! 😀
Oh Boy.
Wow – the photo and the text. Inspiring.
Thanks Vicki. I was similarly inspired.