Learning by Wobbling

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

And when we are biking or walking,
And when we’re creating or talking,
We learn as we go,
Some quick and some slow.
What route can we take that’s unblocking?

How do you learn best?
 
A little girl came toward me
On the bike trail.
On her small green bike.
Just two wheels, no add-on training wheels.
 
She wobbled with her progress.
 
One knee splayed out,
Then pulled in.
Knees at different angles,
Experimenting with balance.
 
Parents walked behind,
Giving space for her experiments.
 
Knowing they were present,
Available for help if needed.
Support is available as she learns
To move down some trail
On her own.
 
Totally different end of age-spectrum,
I think of my own procedure
When crossing road with cross-traffic–
Stop lights, for example.
 
I wheel my bike.
Others glide quickly across 
Having kept one foot on a pedal.
 
With what I’ve learned of me
At this stage of living,
Wobbling can’t be my start-out mode.
 
Accommodating my need,
Though adding 15 seconds,
Gets me securely where I want to go.
 
Two “wobblers.”
Two levels of learning.
Both of us moving forward.
 
Lucky me.

Hugs.
Lin