Friday, October 10, 2008

Slow Dance, Slow Down

I recently read “The 4 – Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferriss. While the book was interesting, the item I enjoyed the most was a poem referenced in the book. The poem is named “Slow Dance” and was written by David L. Weatherford. (His website has a number of original writings that I would encourage you to check out.)

The world moves fast, too fast. This poem tries to remind us to slow down a little.

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,
or listened to rain slapping the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,
or gazed at the sun fading into the night?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly,
when you ask "How are you?", do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
with the next hundred chores running through your head?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow,
and in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,
'cause you never had time to call and say hi?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere,
you miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,
it's like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life isn't a race, so take it slower,
hear the music before your song is over.

David L. Weatherford
http://www.davidlweatherford.com/slowdance.html