I think of a word
simple and sacred.
Yet nothing comes
to mind in praise of
slowness.
For the restless mind
with thoughts swirling
like a gypsy skirt is stuck
Walk—
something so pedestrian
the mind boggles
and feet start to argue
for what better way
to escape the mundane
than court a birdsong
and be astonished
by forests enchanted
Now, I shall walk!
For Midweek Motif, Walk, at Poets United.
process note: When I saw the prompt, I was excited at first. But soon after, I got totally blocked because there is walking, and walking. The latter, for me, is like a prayer. And, how do I begin to write about something so personal! I only hope I did the prompt justice.
As it happens, I’m about to embark on a whole lot of walking as we travel from city to city around the country. This means I’ll either have a WI-FI connection or not depending on where we are. So, I apologize in advance for slow reading and responding to comments.
Aha…You brought in the magic that walking is associated with. “court a birdsong, be astonished by
forests enchanted.” Love this.
I love the image of argumentative feet! 😉
Oh! That “pedestrian” pun stands out, and the feet arguing made me laugh, but then I stood still in my walk upon this earth. I have never seen a better description of the hesitation on the edge of what is holy. If you are traveling, may you sometimes walk with pleasure and/or passion and/or prayer. Thank you!
Absolutely beautiful. Getting out for a walk is so inspiring for our crazy minds. Wishing you wonderful travels that will surely calm your “restless mind”.
Walking like a prayer….yes, enchantment lies that way……..this reminds me of my friend, now deceased, who used to walk saying (in his thoughts) “I love you” to every dog and tree and rock….and he said after a while everything started loving him back.
This is absolutely gorgeous! ❤️ I love the idea of walking being a means to “to escape the mundane, court a birdsong, be astonished by forests enchanted.” 😀
Oh, I think you did the prompt lovely justice! The poem itself is a sort of a walk from one place (in the mind/mood) to another. By the time it ends it feels complete for this reader, even as the narrator is about to set out. 🙂
This is great especially the word play, however I couldn’t agree more as walking for miles in Australia’s bush and wild places searching for birds was a pastime of my wife and I.
You did a fantastic job For me walking is like a prayer as well
Love “thoughts swirling like a gypsy skirt” and “to escape the mundane, court a birdsong, be astonished by
forests enchanted.”
There is indeed magic in walking. Thank you, Sumana!
It’s not always easy to begin. 😀
Thanks Val! Yep, the restless mind is sometimes due to overthinking. But walking definitely gives a fresh perspective. 🙂
Bless your friend, he was spot on! It’s always been difficult to explain this, i.e., the feeling that everything loves me back, when I walk.
Yep, that’s how I keep sane, my dear friend. 😀 Thank you!
Thank you Rosemary for such a lovely and encouraging comment. I’m glad you also got that narrator is about to set out, for this walking never ends. 🙂
I’m glad to hear this took you back to days of exploring the Australian wilderness with your wife. It’s a lovely thing to share a pastime with a partner. Those sweet memories stay forever. Thanks Robin!
Love to hear this. Thank you, Marja!
Many thanks to you too, Susan. Your comment took my breath away, it’s so beautiful in its understanding of this hesitation…
And I shall walk with pleasure, passion and prayer. <3
Your poem reads like a prayer, i just feel like raising my hands in grateful Amen
Much❤🕊❤love
YAY to walking! Thanks so much, Gillena. Sending love your way. <3
Travelling from city to city….but not walking I think Enjoy your holiday.You see more when you walk. It’s good to have legs:)
“the restless mind with thoughts
swirling like a gypsy skirt is stuck
and tries to make sense….” 💝 what imagery! Wow… I think this is the best piece composed on this prompt. Lovely…
I’m right there with you! Walking is a prayer and a spell and a song we chant with our feet, swinging our arms, taking in the birds and the green and the shape of that pretty rock… There are people who don’t particularly care to go on walks with me–I refuse to take another step, if there is an interesting log to say hello to. Walking is nature moving while standing still, and us… dancing with eyes and feet.
True that, we see more when we walk. And yes you are correct, it’s travelling from city to city, and then explore the place on foot. Even with my good legs, I cannot walk from city to city. 😀
Thank you, Panchali. I really appreciate your kind comment.
Yes, I feel you right here with me. Your comment is like a chant in itself, and the dancing with eyes and feet comes naturally. Thank you Maga, you’ve put it so well. And so, we shall walk!
“Restless mind of thoughts swirling like a gypsy skirt” – love that!
How exciting! I love the photo!! Have fun my friend! Big Hugs!
Thanks Sara. 😀
Hello my friend! Sending hugs your way too. <3