Be Outside

Slice of Life '26 1 Minute

The breeze bumps against my earbuds,
makes my hair dance,
wraps me in a cool vibe.
Feels right to write this slice out here.

We could use our balcony more often,
sit here to watch the boats,
eat more meals here,
read the same books we read inside.

We could bring the inside out here,
meet the city noises our hurricane-proof windows keep out.

To my right:
perfect layers on the horizon,
a dusty red,
unbothered by landing planes.
A photo wouldn’t do it justice,
I take one anyway.

Today I remembered our balcony.
We ate lunch here.
We listened to stories here.
We counted boats waiting for the bridge.
We danced to their party music.

I’m reminded how outside is always better than inside.

The breeze bounces on my skin,
invites me to look east,
to face it.

Today was a day to be outside, even under sick circumstances,
outside to ride tricycles,
taste the rush of speed down a ramp,
bring memories of strollers with a newborn at witching hour.

Outside to run,
see the flowers,
wonder about the black cat.

Outside to talk and enjoy ourselves,
outside to be.

We could use this balcony more often.

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Published by Ana Valentina Patton

I aim to be a learner, not a knower. If I forget, please remind me.

Published

7 thoughts on “Be Outside”

  1. “Outside is always better than inside”. I couldn’t agree more! I also wonder about the stray cats all around my house all of the time. We even give them nicknames since they are such a part of our lives and our routines.

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  2. I feel the same way about my front porch! Even grading papers and lesson planning seem almost painless out there. I enjoyed all the sensory details of what you experienced out there.

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  3. Great format to capture your thinking. What a beautiful view! I’m ready to be outside. My husband sat on the porch today trying to force it- it’s crazy how at this time of year high 40s can be outside weather here! I love this image- We danced to their party music.

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  6. Ana, your poem took me from your longing to be outside more (we should use our balcony more) to time spent outdoors in spite of sickness. I went with your from longing to doing, I hope the sickness is gone soon and have more sunshine and outdoor time tomorrow.

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  7. Wonderful use of a line as a jumping off point. I love poems of possibility & this one is full of that. I notice, too, how you go from what you could do to what you did do… it really works!

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