The Real Gastropods of Palmers Lane

A Meditation on the Small and Easily Overlooked

By Riki Sulis

The snail is a humble creature, gliding smoothly on mucus with unrushed grace.  These images draw you into the small world of a terrestrial snail, where you’ll find an unexpectedly charming fellow and perhaps an opportunity to reflect on your own experiences.    

Look closely at a snail and you’ll see expression; maybe you’ll even imagine goals and desires etched on his face.  Unlike us, there is no rush for a snail - no need for performance, no demand to strive for more.  Just slow, steady motion carrying him forward while he keeps everything he needs on his back.  And when the world becomes overwhelming, he simply retreats into his shell until he feels strong enough to emerge and continue on once again.  

And so we learn a lesson: about persistence, about the balance between determination and rest, and about choosing a pace that nurtures peace rather than sacrificing it.