“I hope I don’t step on a snake.”
This intrusive thought wrangles its way into my mind as I climb the steep ditch toward the field. The tall grass, laid low, crunches under my feet.
I’m not wearing the right shoes for this off-road adventure, but I hadn’t anticipated pulling off the highway onto the winding gravel road, much less climbing through this ditch in search of an unobstructed view.
The rainbow was elusive. Miles back, it appeared in the sky. When I pulled to the side of the road to take a picture, though, the distance between it and me left me frustrated. Back in my car, I looked at the image on my phone. The photo was fine, but not fulsome. The rainbow appeared in miniature, made small by voluminous clouds that caught and held the light.
I kept driving, feeling a bit foolish for stopping. How many times had I tried to capture a moment, only to have the image fall far short of the experience?
The rainbow didn’t’ leave my side as I traveled north. I committed to appreciating it in the moment. As I drove, it grew closer. I felt—irrationally—that if I just kept going, I’d finally be able to grab it, hold hope with grateful hands.
Very rarely have I witnessed a full rainbow, but as I crested the hill there it was. Whole hope filling the scene. Whole promise making itself known. I turned off the highway again.
Snake fears aside, this time…stops time…and fills me with joy.
“I love this,” I nearly say aloud.
I love the squish of a gravel road in spring. I love walking where I’ve never walked before, but still feeling at home. I love employing my body and not just my mind. I love exerting some extra effort—getting some distance from the highway—to create. I love looking for the most truthful view.
This time, when I return to my car and consider the photos I’ve taken, I’m satisfied. Not because they’re perfect, but because I was there. Because time slowed for a moment, and I was absorbed in the present.
Because hope found me on a gravel road in spring, encompassed by sun and storm.
Question for Reflection: What slows time for you?
If you’d like to share your response, please do so in the comments. I’d love to hear what you’re thinking.
Hi, friends. As part of my transition away from Facebook, I’ve collected all my photopoetry (who knew there was an actual name for such a thing?!?) here on my website. Check it out here: https://staceynaleancarlson.com/photopoetry/
I invite you to download and use these images as you wish. Each is listed separately underneath “photopoetry” on the main menu. Click on the one you wish to download. The process should be simple, but please let me know if it isn’t. This is a new experiment. Enjoy!