Project Create, Week 8: Here’s a little meditation on time, rivers, and owls. I had intended to write about something completely different. I guess the owls had other ideas.

A river of time

A river flows, they say, so that you can never step in the same one twice. There is no way to know for sure where the flow of time begins and ends. But we know for sure, you can never be in the same moment twice.

Let’s say this particular river of time started under a tree, although we know it was already flowing when it got there. Let’s say this particular river of time swelled enough to cut through a golden canyon, though we know the canyon was there before and after we were. Let’s say this particular river of time eddied into a frozen lake that bathed the new year, though we know years can start and end any time. Let’s say this particular river of time is watched over by a pair of owls who sing to one another at midnight, though we know owls fly in all directions.

Let’s say this particular river of time is willing to flow into an unknown future, though the river already knows its route; let’s say we are willing to walk with it, under its trees, through its canyons, through its lakes, and let’s promise to sing back to the owls.