I'd Rather Be Influenced...

The world is too much with us; late and soon,

Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;—

Little we see in Nature that is ours;“   

William Wordsworth, written circa 1802, first published 1807.

I’d rather be influenced by the sound of bird song and the feel of feline fur in my arms as I listen to my dogs snoring beside me, than read the news.

To feel the heat of the sun and warm breeze again my skin all at the same time. To watch the shadow of dappled shade dance across the table as tree limbs and leaves are swept up in the pleasant wind creating mesmeric patterns.

I’d rather be influenced by the laughter of happy friends sitting together painting and chatting, eating peach and raspberry tart and drinking lemon verbena tea.

To watch the splash of paint on paper, colours swirling into wild motifs across the page delightful and inspiring, as I burst into laughter at the sight of it.

I’d rather be influenced by the research into my latest project or hunt through old photos to create a new collage, or perhaps dive into one of the pile of books that are waiting for my attention.

The weather is hot, on some days too hot, but we have the measure of it nowadays. We know when to cavort outside and when to hunker down indoors. How to fasten the shutters as protection from the heat and when to fling open the windows to embrace the coolness of the evening.

But I’d rather be influenced by the feel of water, silky across my body as I swim slowly through the water of the pond; dodging the tiny turtles and moorhens whose home I am invading. They soon vanish in horror at the sight of me and I am relieved.

I sit and drip dry on the board walk bridge, watching the tiny turtle periscope heads pop up, breaking through the watery film to see if I’m still in view. Thank god she’s gone, I imagine them saying before they submerge themselves once more into the watery depths.

I’d rather be influenced by knowing that despite all the noise of devastation across the globe there is love in the world. There are still good people and there is hope in all its multifarious ways.

And when the world is too much with me, I know I can find shelter in nature, in the peaceful tranquillity that surrounds me and here, in the silence, I discover joy, peace and laughter.

(Wordsworth’s poem, written 222 years ago, expresses a revolt against the industrial revolution and criticises the materialistic approach of man; nothing changes.)