A Wooded Path

what kind of thoughts or daydreams are awakened by a walk in the woods?

In my roaming of the earth,

In a zone where darkness lives,

I am bereft of any inkling of

Why I take while others give.

I set a course for the light

In time,

Out beyond the distant wood;

I set out strongly in my quest

To find the place where the

Tall grass stood

 

I cut my way through underbrush

Between the swollen trees,

The path to where this all began

With the parting of the seas.

The grassland, now in muddied sight,

Alas, though the meadow seeks to give,

I’m standing still, alone in time,

In the place where echoes live.

 

This quest, while seeking closure,

Grinds to a halt, a hitch in time,

Hears every echo, sees all new paths

Including all new walls to climb.

 

dan © 2014

Reviews

[ANTO]

I got the feeling the whole way through that there was a niggling feeling that the writer didnt feel they deserved everything that they had strived to build or that there was an innate dread of losing it all over something fantastical (i.e. the foundation-less swamp).
I was struck by the hyper vigilance ('hears every echo') - as if worried about past creeping up too.
This is like a dreamscape and only the writer knows the truth behind it but it was great (not to mention generous) to get glimpse inside another's psyche.
Cool and revealing piece Dan.
:)

[dan]

Thank you, Anto. Your review pretty accurately describes the meaning I had in mind when writing this piece, very perceptive. It's why I like your reviews so much; you pretty much GET me. Have a great day, my friend. take care...dan

[Cryingkate]

what kind of thoughts or daydreams are awakened by a walk in the woods?
" The Higher Consciousness"

BEAUTIFUL !

[dan]

Thanks so much for your ebullient boost to my ego. I feel like I'm better now...or not. take care...dan

[Roshan Nair]

Great piece dan, I could connect with so many subtle metaphors you've possibly used to describe the searching feeling. I admire the way you've crafted the journey of exploration.. the meanings to be taken of which are several. great work.cheers :)

[dan]

Thank you, Roshan. Cheers to you for the excellent read and review. I appreciate you reading my writings. Thanks again. take care...dan

[Confuser]

Dan: stopped at ending of 2nd stanza: Love it; intrigued - honest great flow; Alas, though the meadow seeks to give, I’m standing still, alone in time, In the place where echoes live. Those memories are always present, No? Fantastic, just lovely.....breathtaking; I can see myself there, even though it's a metaphor; I've spent, more time walking in forests than anywhere else; I love it! This quest, while seeking closure,
Grinds to a halt, a hitch in time, Hears every echo, sees all new paths - Including all new walls to climb. A calm and inlightening experience in reading this poem. I do so appreciate it. Wonderful writing. Thank you. Dale
**I sent you a friend request; but no need to bookmark me: Just click on a review; I'm still learning my way around; I'm certain if you mention that to someone else; people are so kind and helpful here; they will save you some time; I should have did that a long time ago. Thank you again!

[dan]

Dale, Thank you for the very insightful review. I like reviews such as this one, with some heft and length instead of an at-arms-reach "Nice writing." I've already bookmarked your page and I WILL review myself...and I'll certainly accept your friend request, in a world where friends are often hard to come by. Thank you for your kind words. take care...dan

[Confuser]

Dan, you'll find I always try to be kind; I'm relatively new to poetry and people have been wonderful; I look back at some poems; people usually found something kind to say; or nothing. Anyway....I truly enjoyed your writing; you're very talented, as I've said. Have a good day! dale

[dan]

All right, I'm going!! I'm headed for your page right now to review at LEAST one of your writes. I just hope the phone doesn't ring or I may lose my train of thought (a very slow-moving train). take care...dan

[Confuser]

Like BTO said, "You 'aight seen nothing Yet." .....LOL, my mind is unreal....grey matter is falling off in globs!

[dan]

Ooh, that's gonna leave a mark!

[Confuser]

No problem: I'm constantly and slowly trying to pull my brain back in dan. Tks for looking at paper heart; My first poem; and I have learned from there. I'll get better from reading works of people like yours and others. And by the way; I will be reviewing your work; Dr. Appt. for Daughter was cancelled; so been catching on cleaning & WRITING; Don't worry; I have NEVER not read someone's poetry when they have read mine or not; I'm greedy to learn; and your writing is FANTASTIC!!! Dale

[dan]

It's not me being falsely humble when I say this, but I don't consider myself that talented. I do have a good vocabulary and writing allows me to exercise that, but my poetry is pretty pedestrian, actually. That's MY opinion, but thank you so much for yours. take care...dan

[Confuser]

A good vocabulary with a little imagination is a great start. I've just never TRIED to write poetry; but I have gotten a little better and that's fine for now. You are very kind and talented. Dale

[Confuser]

A good vocabulary with a little imagination is a great start. I've just never TRIED to write poetry; but I have gotten a little better and that's fine for now. You are very kind and talented. Dale

[RileyRedding]

What a graceful approach to a subject we can all relate too.

“There’s a trick to the 'graceful exit.' It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage, or a relationship is over — and let it go. It means leaving what’s over without denying its validity or its past importance to our lives. It involves a sense of future, a belief that every exit line is an entry, that we are moving up, rather than out.”

― Ellen Goodman

[dan]

Riley, thanks for the read/review, I appreciate you stopping by. dan

[Jerome F Knox III pseud..]

Seeking closure can send you down a path far worst than not knowing the answer. Sometimes the beauty is just letting go; what will be just will be. Does a door care about who opens and closes it? No it gives anyone an opportunity to turn its knob.

[dan]

Now that's what I call a nice insightful review. The line about the door? Priceless! Thanks Rico. take care...dan

[Jerome F Knox III pseudonym Nefarious J. Dorsey]

Awww...thanks Dan...but you and others have helped shape and windex-ed my lenses so I can see a little better....cleaning up that "stinking thinking"

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the echoes of life just keep repeating...the sorrows louder than most...
and getting that closure is not easy...perhaps we have to be happy with a semblance of closure, the move forward the best we can.

[dan]

...and find out that there are more obstacles in our way, the endless cycle of life? Thanks for the read/review. take care...dan