There was a full moon last night, I
couldn’t sleep so I talked to the moon,
instead of you.
It’s always been a fixed point
like “change is the only constant”
pulling oceans along with it.
she said, you’re pretty fast after a few
drinks
yah, I’m great at running away from
myself, it’s more of a marathon really
than a sprint.
But I am trying, to
stand still
catch up with myself.
I’m sad to have left Nunavut. I don’t like to be one of the many transiant visitors who stays only for a short while. But I’m grateful for my brief time there. To everyone who I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to – I hope to see you soon. The world is a small place. Thank you for all your kindness, patience and generosity. I’m sorry I stumble over words and names. Thank you for the drinks, the Girls viewings, the home brewed beer, the scotch nights. Thank you for the Snack delivering poutine almost instantaneously after those nights. Thank you for the music, the friendly invitations, the laughter. The skidoo rides, the fishing trips, the walks, and that one last drive around town. Thanks for that seven course meal, and the bread. Thanks for the work picnics, the hair braiding, the teasing. Thanks for the arts cafe, and the six dollar flat fare. Thanks for the dinners, craft nights, game nights. Thanks for all the long chats, the raw food, the seal skin. Thanks for the sights, the yoga, the “rag tag” comradery. To all the lawyers and support staff at Maliiganik Tukisiiniakvik, thank you for the an unforgettable four months. I’ll miss you all. Akuluk.
It is the night before my very first law exam final. We all look the same with circles under our eyes and a slightly glazed expression. We are all tired. Instead of studying I have lit the candles and am finishing the Hemingway interview I was reading earlier. I will probably watch an episode of Coronation St, and maybe read some short stories.
I went to yoga and listened to the lesson of the class. One of my instructors is an emerg nurse, and inevitably starts the class with a story from his work day. We are all sitting cross legged, all the varied ages and shapes and sizes, and we wait for the lesson. Usually it involves the elderly and today was no exception. Today, a 90 year old man came in after having a heart attack while lifting weights. My instructor went over to clarify if this man, with “all the cardiac diseases under the sun” was actually lifting weights – he had been, and also, he would like a cup of coffee. Turns out this man drank 5 or 6 coffees a day. Mostly the instructor tells us these stories to inspire us to continue with our practice, to continue with being heathy. But I think he also just wants to share the sheer awe of the wisdom and grace of an older generation. Of the tenacity of a human being.
I think about that, and maybe I will remember this night, remember that the significant stress I used to experience before exams has diminished, or maybe not. But we’ve all got a lot of life ahead of us either way. Might as well drink some coffee and keep doing the things that give us delight.
onemorecupofcoffee 