The new school term starts this week and I’ve been talking with members of my family who are starting new things. One is moving up to secondary school, a big change, another starting the two years leading up to GCSEs. Change and anticipation is in the air.
For me, it’s a time of moving from summer commitments and anticipating the autumn - and, dare I say it, the lead up to Christmas. Yesterday saw the last of the summer band commitments, an outside gig in the sunshine. September sees choir start again, preparing for our December concert. In October there’s the first of the new band season gigs and also various events in our local arts festival, Arts Alive. I’ll be MCing an open mic night for Mole Valley Poets (14th October, all welcome!), seeing my latest writing reach the stage (10th October, again all welcome!) and taking part in other events.
Lots of anticipation, without even listing the various pre Christmas commitments, and it all feels like a new beginning. I’m sure I’m not unique in this, and probably not the only one who feels energised by the new start. So, in the spirit of celebrating the things we all look forward to I offer this poem, which I came across while looking through my drafts and scribbles (often a worthwhile exercise)
And, anyone wanting more detail of any of these events, just comment or message me and I’ll get the details to you.
About to We strive to make, experience, the things we can no doubt do but magic resides in pulled up breath, the moment of ‘about to’ The count to four, the baton raised, the lights go up, the music plays. The diver poised, the starting gate, the sight of the dish still on your plate. The rush, the buzz, adrenaline. For all the things we’ve done or been are good, no doubt, but can’t compete. The breath before, that can’t be beat.