There’s a flurry of motion Then a stop as she gathers Her dress and scarfs around Sitting pretty on cliff edge Peering into the precipice Where the moonlight fails To illuminate the bottom If I jumped I would fly fast Only to ultimately stop The danger here perilous Reminds me of the proverb Be not afraid of going slowly Be afraid of standing still While I may want to rush Forward out of fear the end Resulting in no more movement Scares me more than ebbing Ambiguity inherent in slowness Of life passing by in seconds
A writing prompt from Merrildsmith over at dVerse to use a proverb in a poem. I chose a Japanese Proverb–Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid of standing still
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Musing & Creating with T.J.S. Sherman 
I feel like we went similar paths here with our poems. 😀 Love this piece and how it weighs on me. The proverb is impactful and I love the way you wrote to it, it really delineates a reflection about life. How “stopping” the journey is more frightening than it being slow, I resonate with that. This is my favorite stanza, I adore the imagery and visuals here:
“If I jumped I would fly fast
Only to ultimately stop
The danger here perilous
Reminds me of the proverb
Be not afraid of going slowly
Be afraid of standing still”
Such beautiful, poignant work. ❤ ❤
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the hesitation between the two points is long-drawn-out in consideration – a thoughtful poem indeed with a proverb woven in so beautifully
“the end
Resulting in no more movement
Scares me more than ebbing
Ambiguity inherent in slowness
Of life passing by in seconds”
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If we’re moving there’s always time to change course.
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An extraordinary interpretation of Merril’s challenge!
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Thank you!
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Stunning, stunning write! 💝💝 I love the image; “Her dress and scarfs around sitting pretty on cliff edge/Peering into the precipice where the moonlight fails to illuminate the bottom.”
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I felt like the movement at the beginning was an important precursor to the core of the poem
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felt the emotions wrapped in your vivid images. the dress and scarfs line is really good.
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Thank you for the feedback!
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Well done–a poem to think about. The tension between stopping and going slow comes through. I loved the image of the woman with scarves peering from the precipice in the moonlight.
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I enjoyed it too; it’s very fluid like life
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So thought provoking. It really allowed a space – especially that last magnificent stanza – to appreciate the quiet walk of life toward death.
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It’s a slow match, and hopefully we have time to take in the sights.
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I enjoyed reading this. It really described the inertia of indecision and the uncertainty of making that next move, which feels like a big move because of the anxiety that accompanies it. I especially liked the final stanza:
“While I may want to rush
Forward out of fear the end
Resulting in no more movement
Scares me more than ebbing
Ambiguity inherent in slowness
Of life passing by in seconds.”
Very relatable 🙂
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