An Ode To Idleness - Permission To Pause

This piece is a gentle ode to idleness—a meditation on the quiet, miraculous fullness found in simply sitting, watching, and being. With the sea as a companion and the sky as a witness, we explore how presence asks nothing of us but attention. In a world that constantly demands productivity, this poem offers permission to pause, to be thoroughly useless, and yet feel more whole than ever. Through images of waves, wind, and distant sails, we are reminded that being present with whatever arises can be one of the deepest spiritual 'achievements'.

If this reflection speaks to you, I invite you to journey further in my new course W(hole)ness—a slow, spacious return to the essence of who you are. Thank you for allowing this work to sit with you for a moment, and I look forward to adding more poetry here soon.

Much Love, Sez

Transcript

I could sit all day here,

Watching the wide-hipped ocean cast her young to the shore.

Horizon's straight ruler could measure my worth quite accurately.

Sun could swim laps from one bank of sky to the other.

I would need no other gauge of time.

I could sit all day here,

Wondering where I'd land up if I took winged flight and continued straight until I met land.

A degree to either side would land me elsewhere altogether.

I could waste a day waiting for a glimpse of a dolphin's dorsal fin,

Viewing small rainbows ride the crest of waves as bursts of wind crack the surface like snake skin.

I could fascinate over people who look like sea creatures wrapped in black,

Glossy neoprene skins.

Joy is all around and yet none of it says a word.

I could contemplate existence here.

There's enough room.

I could just be the greatest of all spiritual achievements.

I could watch the distant bait boy bob up and down the single hull yacht drift across the flat distance like a prop in a pantomime,

And wonder what it would be like to be there looking back at myself sitting here on a lonely dune land bound.

Sometimes I don't know what I should be doing with my life.

There is so much to consider.

The hiss and fizz,

Rumble and crash of the shore seems to argue against my doubt.

Rather,

It would be content,

As would the wagtail and the finch who twit beside me amongst the seagrass that I simply listen and observe,

And above all,

Bear witness to our quiet companionship.

There's so much I miss out on when I do nothing useful,

And yet I feel more whole for the seeming lack than anything else.

Reviews

Always beautiful, always poetic and meaningful, much love ❤️🙏🌺

This is one I’ll return to in gray moments, those times when I’m frozen inside, when my own words are earthworms, wriggling but too deep to see. Today, these words, in this poem, sing to me:

“…joy is all around, yet none of it says a word…”

“…simply listen and observe and above all bear witness…”

Wow!!! Love this 💕

Just perfect ❤️

💓🙏

Thank you for this beautiful meditation. I listened to it while sitting at the beach & watching the waves & drinknhbmy morning coffee’s . 🌊❤️☕️

Love this
Thankyou Sez 💕💜

Beautiful and inspiring 🙏🌈💗

❤️🌊

Such a beautiful reminder that there is much to gain from slowing down and being a witness to the world around us. Thank you 🌍 🙏🏻♥️

Beautiful wisdom.

Love your poetry rooted in soul

I can relate totally. To "just be" in nature without any agenda or time restrictions is deeply peaceful, joyful and profoundly healing. (aka Mary Oliver). Thank you for this beautiful moment. 🙏

👍

Thank you 🙏🏻

Quiet is peaceful! Beautiful reminder. Thank you 🙏 💫💕

So beautiful Sez 🙏🏽

Sweet

Lovely thank you Sez🙏🏼💝🌟

Divine