Some geese flew overhead today, honking and gliding in an improbably regular arrowhead. There’s always a chill, a gasp of woodsmoke and the knowledge that it’s only going to get darker when the geese fly. I wish I know how they do it. Which goose gets to go ahead of the skein? Is that a honked negotiation or a quacked encouragement? There may be a feathered power play in flight or perhaps it’s just that gaggle leader knows which way to migrate. I wish I could glide an updraught and take my place, maybe next year…
You would love Karine Polwart’s music, Wind Resistance, which is inspired by how the geese fly. I heard her give a talk at Aye Right.Apparently they take it in turns to lead, so that none of the, gets too weary with resisting the wind.. She uses it as a metaphor for how we should work hard, fall back and let others take the slack, then lead again…particularly in caring for one another
I didn’t know that. I’ll seek her music out.