Inside Out (or Outside In)
To turn your wild world inside out,
hush, slow down, and look about,
find a nook that’s still and quiet,
take a breath, and step inside it.
In the still,
the still surrounds
are not so still
—they’re busy playgrounds!
Dust play tip.
Dew drops slide.
Sunshine seeks
and shadows hide.
In the quiet,
quiet sounds
are not so quiet
—their choir resounds!
Your heartbeat drums.
Songbirds chime.
A motor hums.
The clock hands keep time.
To turn your wild world inside out,
hush, slow down, and look about,
find a peaceful nook, and try it.
Do you feel still and quiet?
hush, slow down, and look about,
find a nook that’s still and quiet,
take a breath, and step inside it.
In the still,
the still surrounds
are not so still
—they’re busy playgrounds!
Dust play tip.
Dew drops slide.
Sunshine seeks
and shadows hide.
In the quiet,
quiet sounds
are not so quiet
—their choir resounds!
Your heartbeat drums.
Songbirds chime.
A motor hums.
The clock hands keep time.
To turn your wild world inside out,
hush, slow down, and look about,
find a peaceful nook, and try it.
Do you feel still and quiet?
This poem is copyright (©) Imogen Hartland 2024
About the Writer
Imogen Hartland
Imogen is a data analyst by day, and an aspiring picture book writer by night. She likes words that sound like ice-skating manoeuvres (like rickety, tarantula and highlight) and giant palettes of little things (like the zipper section in a haberdashery store, or a display of macarons—yum!). She lives in Dharawal country in Sydney near some rock pools and the bush, and you can find her on Instagram @i.hearts.arts.and.crafts.
