“To become a philosopher, start by walking very slowly.” —Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Curling a toe
At the pace of the light
Creeping up the face of the night
As owls hoot and cocks crow
Commences the first step
In the art of the flaneur

It is a good idea to be alone in a garden at dawn or dark so that all its shy presence may haunt you and possess you in a reverie of suspended thought.

—James Douglas

Flexing an arch
At the pace of the light
Leading a parade
In a march of flickering waves
Sustains the first step
In the art of the flaneur

Walks. The body advances, while the mind flutters around it like a bird.

—Jules Renard

Lifting a heel
At the pace of the light
Shuttering hummingbird-like
Still as stroboscopic flight
Suspends the first step
In the art of the flaneur

Beauty surrounds us, but usually we need to be walking in a garden to know it.

—Rumi

Touching a sole
To the glow of afternoon
Neither too late nor too soon
To be scenery in light’s tour
Consummates step one
In the art of the flaneur

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

—Lao-Tzu