pollution

It's a tightrope walk down the day sometimes; avoiding the vampires. These are the ads, people, and misplaced desires that seem to suck out our life-force and leave a dull ache where the blood used to be. Conversations that are really two single lane roads, on a roughly parallel path, for limited time. Rationales for spending money that wasn't really there to spend, but to return the item takes far too much further energy. People who stare at you for those extra seconds, before they realise that the topic has ended. Pet peeves that occur with such frequency that your response just sucks out your equilibrium and leaves it on the roadside, along with those damned still smoking cigarette ends. Wanting to rest but acquiescing, even colluding to that social expectation that one must be busy; so busy that sleep comes without reflection, just a sharp drop into the depths of the pillow. This is pollution. It is easy to be wise on the top of a mountain, but to really make the difference, keep the balance while sucking in the smog. Set your social spam filter high and be willing to be mystical. Darn your socks, take out the compost and stop feathering your nest - its big enough. Read a book, talk with a child about an emotion; be present for the next person who asks you a question. Pollution is distraction; distraction is distressing; distress is exhausting. We are human beings, not human doings - rise above the pollution, close your eyes and look back towards the sun.