(Neurodivergent) Notes on Nature: Kendal Railway Station

Kendal Railway Station

Three rabbits sit, snacking on the thin strip of grass at the edge of the platform, unperturbed by our bodies on the red iron bench. Our bums are stuck to it by cold as we wait, watching the ears of the littlest bunny dip and bob, up and down, behind a clump of grass like they’re performing in a puppet show.

My back hurts, our train is delayed and you’re hungry. But the light is fading gently, with all the softness of a blanket and a tender hand on the forehead. The world is being tucked in and soothed as we are kissed goodnight by the dusky breeze that nuzzles our necks, stowed safely below waterproofs.

The rabbits don’t stop eating and we don’t stop breathing which is, when you think about it, a small miracle in itself. I stop thinking about our destination, about the walk that we are now going to have to do at double speed to race the dying light.

I stop and I watch the biggest rabbit get to work on a dandelion, feel my own heart beating a party in my chest as it chews and chews with peace and satisfaction. I turn the page on ‘nature’ in my head, insert a new question mark there, wet my thumb and tamp it down so that I can return to it later, and think about all the things I might have missed in my hurry to get into the ‘great outdoors’.

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