Tracking sunlight

There’s something to be said for sunshine….

There is such a calmness in waking early and basking in the first rays of the sun. I see them peek over the fence and then watch as they crawl across the bed, my arm, my cheek. There is a softness to them that brings warmth but doesn’t include that fierce heat that can come through later in the day. Lying in their path in a half dozing state, especially on a weekend morning, is bliss.

In the early morn
Dappled sunlight through the trees
Rests soft on my skin

Then time ticks on and I am up and heading out and about. I love those clear days where there isn’t a cloud in the sky, it’s warm but not hot, and you can ride with the car windows down. As I move from suburban roads to driving on the freeway the wind starts ruffling my hair and the stereo volume simply has to go higher. I smile as I sing along to the music and even put my hand/arm out alongside and have it be buoyed up and down like a wave by the wind as I cruise along!

Driving in my car
Sun is perched high in the sky
And music’s played loud 

When the errands are run and I’ve shared a lazy lunch with friends it is time to head home. The late afternoon has it’s own tangible feel as the sunlight starts to fade and long shadows spread across the ground. If I am close to the beach I can’t resist watching a sunset. In stopping to appreciate my surroundings I am reminded of the importance of taking the time to notice such moments. The dazzling red and gold or muted pink and grey colours are always different, always beautiful and always leave me feeling renewed and at peace.

Lingering shadows
Lengthen with the setting sun
Soothing my spirit 

© Leah Dowsett 2012

Sleeplessness

When I get busy I also get insomnia.

Not the “gee, it’s late I’d like to go to sleep but I’m not tired” kind. The “wow, it’s 3.40am and I’m wide awake” kind. The exhausting kind. The kind were I am fully alert in the wee hours and then start getting sleepy again around 6.00am. Just in time for a brief snooze before the alarm goes off and the work day begins.

My busyness right now is work-related. Large projects, looming deadlines, lots of lists and long hours. Not that I mind working late when required, and not that the projects are awful or difficult – it’s the amount of tasks to complete and the lack of time do so that wears me down. In the end I think that too many ideas are swirling in my brain to truly let me unplug from the day and sleep deeply. Sigh…

I’ve just finished reading The Night Circus for my book club and it’s right about now that I wish I could go and visit it – a lyrically-described, wondrously magical black and white-coloured circus that “Opens at nightfall Closes at dawn”! But I can’t…

So, I read or pray or web surf or catch up on my social networking until the yawning begins. Even now as I type my eyes are beginning to to feel droopy and I know it’s not long until blissful sleep will come again. Of course, that’s also because it’s now 5.42am.

Sweet dreams everyone…

An early waking
The pre-dawn hours are quiet
Except in my head

© Leah Dowsett 2012

Gentle waking

Hazy morning light /

Peeking shyly through rain clouds /

So soft on my face

© Leah Dowsett 2011

Feeling feline

Curled up like a cat /

Eyes shut, face feeling the warmth /

Bedclothes and sunshine

© Leah Dowsett 2011

Seasonal shift

Cooler than before /

Mornings necessitate change /

The Winter doona

© Leah Dowsett 2011