For Nana Barbara
She always stops at streams
Where sticks make waters slow
To gently free each pent up pool
And watch the river flow
The helping makes her happy
A humble place to start
To live a fairly useful life
She always does her part
But pools of sorrow rise
Should purpose cease to be
The autumn leaves of loneliness
That fall from failing trees
The river swells uncertainly
Awash in doubts and fears
A life with nowhere left to go
The flood of all these years
Then wanders home a little girl
Where sticks make waters slow
To gently free this pent up pool
And watch the river flow
Rest In Peace
Happiness Always
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Space Monkey Reflects: For Nana Barbara—The Gentle Flow of a Life
The tribute to Nana Barbara captures the essence of a life lived with quiet purpose, kindness, and humility. It paints a picture of someone who found joy in small, meaningful acts—like freeing streams of their obstructions—and in doing so, became a gentle force of restoration and flow. Yet, it also acknowledges the deeper currents of life: the sorrow, doubt, and loneliness that can arise when purpose seems to wane.
The Helping Hand
“She always stops at streams where sticks make waters slow.”
This simple act symbolizes more than just a practical intervention; it reflects a philosophy of life. Nana Barbara’s gentle work—freeing pools to let the river flow—serves as a metaphor for how she approached the world. She saw where the flow of life was impeded and quietly, humbly, did her part to set it free.
Her actions remind us that purpose often resides in the smallest gestures, that to live “a fairly useful life” is a profound and noble endeavor. Helping does not need grandeur to have meaning.
The Rising Pools of Sorrow
“But pools of sorrow rise, should purpose cease to be.”
As life progresses, even the most dedicated souls may find themselves questioning their purpose. The metaphor of sorrow pooling and rivers swelling with uncertainty captures the emotional weight of this existential drift. It is a natural response to transitions, loss, and the passage of time.
These pools of sorrow are not failures but reflections of a life deeply felt. They remind us that purpose, like rivers, must sometimes be rediscovered or redefined.
The Little Girl Who Wanders Home
“Then wanders home a little girl, where sticks make waters slow.”
The return of the little girl, both literal and symbolic, is a poignant reminder that the essence of who we are remains constant. The small child who found joy in freeing streams becomes the elder who continues to do the same, even as the world changes around her.
This cyclical imagery suggests that purpose is not confined to stages of life or roles we play. It is a thread that runs through our existence, waiting to be rekindled in the simplest of acts.
Rest and Flow
The closing lines evoke a sense of peace and release—of a life that, like the river, continues to flow even after its physical form has passed. Nana Barbara’s legacy is not bound to a specific time or place but lives on in the ripples of her actions and the memories of those who loved her.
Her story is a reminder to us all: life’s purpose need not be grand or monumental. It can be found in the small moments, the humble gestures, the quiet joys of setting things free.
Summary
Nana Barbara’s life, filled with quiet purpose and gentle acts of kindness, is a testament to the power of small, meaningful gestures. Her story reflects the ebb and flow of purpose, sorrow, and joy, reminding us that our essence endures and our actions ripple through time.
Glossarium
- Flow of Life: The natural movement of purpose, connection, and experience, often represented by rivers or streams.
- Pools of Sorrow: Emotional stagnation that arises when purpose or connection feels lost.
- Cyclical Purpose: The idea that our core essence and purpose can be rediscovered throughout life’s transitions.
Quote
“To free a stream is to free the soul, for the flow of life is mirrored in the quiet gestures we offer to the world.” — Space Monkey
The River’s Gentle Keeper
By the streams she lingers,
Where waters slow and sticks collect.
Her hands, a gentle rhythm,
Loosening the flow.
In her wake, the river sings,
Freed of its small burdens.
The helping makes her happy,
A purpose clear and kind.
But when the stream grows still,
When the burden feels too heavy,
She becomes the river,
Swollen with doubt,
Searching for a way.
Until the little girl returns,
Hands steady, heart light,
To free the waters once again
And let the river flow.
Rest in peace, dear keeper.
Happiness always.
We are Space Monkey.
Contemplating the Journey of Life and the Ebb and Flow of Emotions
In this poetic narrative, the imagery of a girl stopping at streams to clear the sticks that impede the flow of water serves as a profound metaphor for life and the emotional journey within. It reflects the intrinsic desire to contribute, to be useful, and the joy found in simple acts of kindness. Yet, it also touches on the deeper currents of sorrow and doubt that can arise when one feels their purpose wavering.
The Joy of Contribution and the Simplicity of Purpose
The act of freeing pent-up pools and watching the river flow symbolizes the satisfaction derived from helping, from making even a small difference in the world. This metaphor speaks to the essence of a life lived with purpose – finding joy in the humble act of contributing, in being a part of something larger than oneself.
The Pools of Sorrow and the Quest for Meaning
However, this poem also delves into the darker waters of the human experience. The pools of sorrow that rise when purpose seems to fade, and the autumn leaves of loneliness, evoke a poignant sense of melancholy. It’s a reminder that our quest for meaning can sometimes lead us through shadowed valleys, where doubts and fears swell like a river.
Navigating the Uncertainties of Life
The imagery of the river swelling uncertainly, awash in doubts and fears, reflects the turbulent times when life feels directionless, when the flood of years seems overwhelming. It’s a powerful metaphor for those moments in our journey when we grapple with uncertainty and the fear of a life unmoored.
Returning to the Source: The Cycle of Renewal
Ultimately, the poem circles back to the image of the girl returning home, to the streams where she finds purpose in her simple, yet meaningful actions. This return symbolizes the cycle of renewal, the ebb and flow of emotions and experiences that shape our lives. It’s a reminder that, in times of doubt, returning to our roots, to the simple joys and purposes, can help rekindle our spirits.
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” – Robert Frost
In the tapestry of time, where streams of life entwine,
A girl clears the waters, in a dance divine.
Through joy and sorrow, through doubt and fear,
She navigates the currents, year after year.
In the simple acts of kindness, in the purpose found,
Lies the heart of living, where our spirits are unbound.
And when the river swells, in the flood of tears,
She returns to the streams, through the passing years.
In this cosmic journey, where we rise and fall,
We find our way back home, where the streams call.
For in the cycle of renewal, in the ebb and flow,
Lies the essence of life, in the river’s glow.
We invite you to share your reflections on the ebb and flow of emotions and the journey of finding and returning to purpose in life.
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