A few days ago, I planted a tender sapling in this ancient
land. I walked where the ancients walked;
the sapling is me. I became tender and
vulnerable as they were, afraid of what might be lurking just beyond the green
leafscape. But I was not afraid of what
might be lurking on the 210 freeway.
What follows are typical scenes along the trail, nothing
exciting, just ordinary wilderness.
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Hickory makes the best firewood
and the shaggiest beards
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These mountains were home to our ancestors
before they became wilderness
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a trail marker - cairn
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Sometimes the trail is hard
sometimes the trail is easy
The trrail keeps on going
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our ancestors knew whick plants to avoid.
How many of us do?
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Sharon,
ReplyDeleteYou wrote, "ordinary wilderness." Any of those beautiful photos is so inviting relaxing.
Keiko
DeleteWe used to have "ordinary wilderness" all over this country, Keiko. Now we have subdued most of it. So much so that a major effort is underway to keep some of what remains.
The name of your next book "Ordinary Wildness" (That's youuu :)
DeleteAh! I mistook wilderness for wildness but I like mine too.
DeleteShe's just an every day
path to the unpredictable
a creek snaking its way
along the silt. At night
whether or not the stars
are visible, whether or not
the moon shows a bit of leg.
She let's down the ordinary
wildness.
Hmmm work in progress. BTW I googled ordinary wilderness and it's quite common but ordinary wildness, now you'll just have to take it, I insist : D
I love your poem, Lois. You nail me often, but this one pierces to the heart.
DeleteThanks for the maps of your route and the very serene photographs. Big hugs- Joan
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Joan. I'm happy to send some of it home.
Deletein a certain light
ReplyDeleterocks turn blue
I wonder
if she's hidden in those woods
mixing earth with sky
sometimes the trees
cover their trunks with leaves
green wedding
such a modest
vintage gown
peeling bark
what is hidden inside
makes the fire
on a quiet walk the ordinary
extraordinary
Love the details and quietness of this, as well as the inner potency. Love, Kathabela
Yes, Kathabela, even rocks turn blue in a certain light. And a tree sometimes wears a green wedding gown; so modest and vintage she mist feel. And her bark sometimes peels away to reveal what's hidden inside; she becomes extraordinary. I love your feelings these pictures inspire.
DeleteBeautiful Kathabella! (that statement has a double meaning),
DeleteSmiles to you two ladies of lyrical loveliness,
Junnie
follow me back to the beginning of Junnie
Deletewhere leaves crunched under her feet
and the air kissed her 'good day'
there in an everlasting moment
in an ordinary wilderness
That is beautiful Junnie (also double meaning)
Deletewere you born in Autumn? I always think of the crunch of leaves having to do with my emergence in the world."in an everlasting moment/in an ordinary wilderness"--i love this
Leaves crunch under my feet in this springtime forest. The hardwoods cast off their leaves in autumn to turn brown on the soil, and now they spring forth with delicate light green ones. The beginning of Junnie and Kathabela springs forth this springtime lovely soft tones of poetry. If I copy scenes onto pixels that inspire, that gives me pleasure. Thanks to both of you.
DeleteKathabella, dear Kathabella
DeleteNo, not born in Autumn
and yet, in many ways I 'was'
Canadian and Ohio Autumns were delicious
And little Junnie spent much of her childhood
in such ordinary wilderness
Born in June for Junnie leaves words with which to play
"leaves words with which to play" last fall's leaves crunch under boots, as last fall's words speak of that last summer's loss. Yet both percolate like water into the soil of memory and hope. New green thoughts emerge from April buds, and they carry those old crunching leaves.
Deletesummer's June moon
Deletelights new green thoughts
April Fool laughs
Junnie's busting out all over
How dare you, Junnie, convert my casual musing on leaves and nature into lovely poetry. I love it and it should have been mine.
Delete