Wednesday 3 September 2014

Still

My eyes awoke to the sound of someone rolling over in their bed. I could tell it was morning but the sun had not yet risen. I reached for my phone and checked the time. It was odd; the light should have been streaming through the windows by then. I very much wanted to lie in bed and fall back asleep but my curiosity got the better of me. I slowly arose from the white sheets and stumbled over to the window.

The curtains fell back onto my fingers and before me was a place I did not recognise. The mists had come during the night and even though they lay still, I knew they were dying to meet me. I wanted to wake the others and take them on this journey, but the soft sounds of sleeping humans is unbearable to disturb. I stole their gumboots, put a coat over my pyjamas, wrapped a scarf tightly around my neck and crept downstairs to the green door that would open up to something new.

Like coming out from the water after a deep dive, the winter air hit me all at once and I found myself taken aback. The crackling of the fire urged me to stay within the warm walls it occupied but I fought against its plea and took a step into the misty abyss.

It swarmed around me, holding me close, not letting go. My breath danced out of my mouth, joining the mist that weaved in and out of my legs, arms and hair. Before me all I could see was grey, a shade I never really appreciated before. My photos turned dull and desaturated but there was something beautiful about that. I wanted to see more.

I wandered into the mist some more and I could feel my heart starting to race. I couldn't see anything behind me or in front of me; it was just me and the grey. I could hear a slight wind rustling against something to the side of me. I wasn't scared though. Usually, in any other situation, I would have stayed in that warm room with the crackling fire where I knew I would be safe. This day though, I wasn't afraid but rather I was at peace.

I let the cool mist take over me. I let the sounds of the unknown flood my ears. I let myself stand in the middle of a field with nothing but grey around me. I was alone but I was not lonely.

After a while, and with some questionably frost bitten fingers, I wandered back to the house. The mist was slowly rising as I made my way back. It was saying farewell for the day. I like to think it was also thanking me for taking the time to say hello. The green door could faintly be seen and I felt comforted by its view. I pushed the door open, being careful not to make too noise. I slid the gumboots off my feet, the coat off my back and the scarf off my neck and lay in front of the fire for a little while as I stared out the window, watching the scene transform before me.

As I finished thawing, I made my way back upstairs and into the white sheets where I first began. I smiled and yawned as I drifted back into a sleep that would refresh me for the remainder of the day. I was still and content, and even though I missed the mist I just met, I knew we would one day meet again.

36 comments:

  1. These photos are just impeccable! Those frosty twigs! That milky morning light filtering through the fog! Oh my! You're getting me all excited for winter!

    Owl Girl | A London lifestyle blog

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  2. Everything about this post is perfect, the photos and the writing. I especially love the photo of the grass seeds with the frozen cobweb between them. Utterly magical!

    x Erin

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  3. You are phenomenal. You took my breath away with this one. Seriously, can you please write a book some day? You have a real, God given talent. Thank you for five minutes of magic. I read this twice because I loved it so much.

    Also, give me a low fog and early morning frost any day.

    Seriously, you are wonderful Sam. What an absolute pleasure to read your posts.

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    1. Jemima, your comments are always so lovely. Thank you for your sweet words :)

      As for that book, well...I got a long way to go with my writing before I can even consider publishing anything. That would be lovely though

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  4. I cannot believe these photographs. Honestly, truly cannot believe they're real. A misty morning (or evening) is the most wonderful respite. It's funny how things are, in their own way, always clearer in the fog.

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    1. I think it's, perhaps, because the fog hides the clutter and craziness of the world around us. It draws us back to our bodies and lets us think with a clear and open mind. I love it

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  5. These photos are really breathtaking, like from a movie scene! Beautiful! Winter mists can be so magical...

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  6. This sounded magical. Love the eeriness in the photos!

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  7. Oh my, that moment must have been magical! So well described too, I got lost in your words! <3

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  8. lovely!! fog is perhaps one of my favourite things :) Walking through clouds as I like to say!

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  9. Absolutely loved these pictures, there is something oddly beautful about grey. It tells a different story :)

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  10. i love these photos! the fog makes them feel more even magical

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  11. Gosh, it's like you visited a magical world. These photos are gorgeous and magical and brilliant.

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  12. I don't even know what to say... these are just so beautiful.

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  13. These photos truly make me feel better today. Thank you.

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  14. Sam, you seriously have a way with words. Dude. In awe. Love this and YOU! :)

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  16. This is beautiful Sam. The pictures, the writing, everything... Brilliant.

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  17. That mist. Wow.

    How incredible.

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  18. Absolutely stunning photos, great post :-)

    www.ramblesandbramblesblog.blogspot.co.uk

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  19. i think i would like you to write a book. that was beautiful.

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  20. Um, write a book okay? And these photos are breathtaking. I'm sure you already know that but wow, thank you for sharing.

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  21. these make my heart stop. so absolutely beautiful!
    this makes me so excited for winter. like i can't even.

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  22. Oh goodness Sam. Your blog is so, so wonderful, I wish that everyone in the world could see how wonderful your blog is. These photos are just so wonderful, and your writing made me see them in even more depth. Thank-you for blogging Sam <3

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  23. The jealousy is real with me right now. There is nothing i can say to explain how much i love this post. Brilliant, just brilliant.

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  24. Take me away! Take me here. Amazingly beautiful.

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  25. these photos are breathtaking! and i very much enjoyed reading your account of the morning.

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