"Miles from Any Shoreline" | Sarah Kay | TED
Caught in the Spider Webs of the Brain
The speaker often loses track of time but occasionally notices the remaining daylight. They describe climbing up to the roof to witness a beautiful sunset over New Jersey.
Notable Moments
- The speaker frequently gets caught in their thoughts and loses track of time.
- Sometimes they manage to look up and notice that there is still some daylight left.
- They climb up to the roof to catch a glimpse of the sunset over New Jersey.
A Colorful Light Show
The speaker realizes that there is a light show happening in their living room, indicated by a pink hue. They quickly rush to the roof and witness an explosion of colorful clouds dyeing the Hudson River neon.
Notable Moments
- The living room becomes slippery pink, indicating a light show.
- The speaker rushes to the roof and sees an explosion of upside-down Clementine cotton candy cloud wisps.
- The clouds are tie-dying the Hudson River neon.
Astonishment at Beauty
The speaker expresses their astonishment at witnessing such beauty. They wish they could ring a bell to make everyone in New York City look up and appreciate it as well.
Notable Moments
- The speaker is amazed by the beauty before them.
- They wish there was a bell they could ring to make everyone in New York City look up and witness it too.
Street Lights Coming On
Despite feeling cynical, witnessing a stunning sunset makes the speaker release their nihilism momentarily. However, as they pass beneath street lights, they realize how predictable life can be.
Notable Moments
- Witnessing a beautiful sunset makes the speaker let go of their cynicism temporarily.
- Street lights come on at the exact moment they pass beneath them, highlighting the predictability of life.
Finding a Starfish
The speaker reflects on their thoughts about death while running outside the city. They stumble upon a starfish alone on the asphalt, which becomes a symbol of unbelonging and mystery.
Notable Moments
- The speaker contemplates death while running outside the city.
- They find a starfish alone on the asphalt, representing unbelonging and an unsolvable mystery.
Fragile and Whole
The speaker continues to wander the streets, feeling like an outsider. They embrace their sense of unbelonging and open themselves up to new experiences.
Notable Moments
- The speaker feels like an outsider wandering the streets.
- They embrace their sense of unbelonging and remain open to new experiences.
A Promise or Dare from Death
The speaker recalls a time when three hawks appeared at their kitchen window sill, rattling their perception of mortality. One hawk stayed behind, eyeing them through the glass as if making a promise or issuing a dare.
Notable Moments
- Three hawks appeared at the speaker's kitchen window sill, challenging their thoughts about mortality.
- One hawk stayed behind and stared at them through the glass, leaving an impression of promise or dare.
Picking Up Signs from the Universe
The speaker reflects on recent encounters with signs from the universe. They express a desire to connect with others who may have experienced similar phenomena.
Notable Moments
- The speaker has been noticing signs from the universe lately.
- They want to connect with others who may have had similar experiences.