Into the Forest
Others have walked this way,
as the surface of the track
is rutted and worn
but I have seen no-one today.
The trees arch high above me,
their canopy
almost closing out the sky.
The path before me
curves into the distance,
going deeper and deeper into the forest;
another bend,
another fretted view between the trees.
An easy wind
whispers in the branches
and high above,
a crow calls.
My foot crunches a fallen twig,
and still
the quiet presence of this place
slips deeper and deeper
into my being.
(I wrote this poem after a walk in the Mourne Mountains last summer and then seeing a painting by the Japanese artist Kawasai Hasui 1883-1957). (And then re-wrote it when I viewed it on-line).
A Different View 
Lovely poem. It reminded me of a quote I came across only recently, ‘And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul’ (attributed to John Muir)
Thank you for dropping by! John Muir; a great man, known in the USA as the Father of The National Parks. There is a John Muir society in existence and of course in the USA the Sierra Club. I must read up more about him.
Nice poem, Ashley. Sounds like you were doing some “walking meditation” during your hike in the Mourne Mountains. It inspires you to write and to take photos, I’m sure!
Thanks for the lovely comments. Yes, fresh air and the trees and the mountains….what could be better!
Ashley,
Have you ever been to Santiago ?
I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, it’ s for you !
I’ve been 3 times, it’s marvelous…
Kisses
Corinne
Oh Corinne, you read my mind! I assume you mean the Camino de Santiago which I have wanted to go for some time! I’ve read about it, watched videos…..but as I get older, I’m now 70 and with a few recent physical health issues the dream moves further away. I would dearly love to do it, and others, particularly through France and Spain! Thank you for dropping by; bisous 😘
It’ s wonderful, but quiet difficult specially at the franco-spanish frontier, but after the Pyrénées there is the “Meseta” it means table in Spanish…it’s very flat and very easy to walk on
And my preference goes to Galicia, this is the Celtic part of Spain, very special,
I speak Spanish, and they have a very special accent, not very easy but charming people !!!
You have a sort of path of Saint-Jacques in Ireland ?
Bisous😘
Hi Corinne, check your emails, I will write there!
Such soothing, contemplative poetry. Beautiful writing, Ashley! 😊🌳🌲
Thank you, Mike, for your wonderful comments. I’ve not walked in those mountains for a few years now, even though they are only an hour’s drive away! 🙏