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MIDWINTER SOJOURN

Bare limbs bereft of leafy load
shiver in the winter breeze.
No sign of insect,snake or toad,
weak sun is nothing but a tease.

So I wait until the frost departs
then exit through the side porch door
get in my old truck and it starts!
Warmth slowly builds in heater core.

I leave my shotgun home today
and head to where the world is wild,
where oak and pine and birch limbs sway
hoping to add to memories filed.

Soon I pass McWhorter's store
recalling times from way back when.
Comradery waits there now no more.
Now cobwebs, only, lurk within.

The truck turns down an unpaved track
and gravel crunches 'neath the wheels.
It feels good to be getting back
where soft loam cushions worn boot heels.

At last the road comes to an end
where crumbling chimney stands so stark
whose outline seldom fails to send
a shiver up my spine at dark.

The edge of cold still tints the air
especially in the cedars' shades
so I point my feet to places where
the sun strikes southern sloping glades.

Slowly the forest fills my senses
(fragrant cedars, whispering pines)
the sight of ancient sagging fences,
rustles among the duff and vines.

I take one step and then wait four
abandoning the urban hurry.
Take time to watch a lone hawk soar.
His next meal is his only worry.

Just as I reach a grown up field
a careless foot breaks a small limb.
A snort! A white flag then revealed.
Can't tell if it's a her or him.

A friendly log offers a seat,
so I accept and rest my aching knees
listening to heart's slowing beat.
(A whiff of skunk on distant breeze)

Then just before I nod to sleep
I hear a blue jay start to scold
at a fox as it attempts to creep
up on a rabbit in its hold.

A pounce! A miss...he trots on past
until his red coat's out of sight.
(This hunt today won't be his last
he'll find a meal before tonight)

I immerse myself deep in the now.
No looking forward, no anticipation.
No questioning of why or how.
Just being one with all creation.

But still the sun moves steadily
turning each tree into a sundial
read by creatures just like me.
Shadows stretch after a while.

Until the sun trips on tree tops.
For just a moment all is still.
Even the cold north wind now stops.
Silence accents the growing chill.

The calm is broken soon by wings;
turkeys rise to roosts nearby.
A distant coyote sadly sings.
Wood ducks whistle through the sky.

Spell broken, I rise from the log.
My stiff joints pop and then complain
as I begin the homeward slog.
I hope to return here again.

.

Style / type: 
Structured: Western
Review Request (Intensity): 
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Review Request (Direction): 
What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Editing stage: 

Comments

Your title is an invitation. Language use is perfect and your rhyming is effortless. How on earth do you write such long leisurley poems? I am a bit envious of your talent :) I love the way the story builds from one fluid verse to the next. I wouldn't change a word of it.

I immerse myself deep in the now.
No looking forward, no anticipation.
No questioning of why or how.
Just being one with all creation.

always, Cat

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

To maintain a rhyme and story line and then have it perceived as having been effortless is great praise. Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy work............stan

author comment

A scribbler...

But why is it that now,
More guys are moving on to epics,
Nothing else to do perhaps.
So many won't read
But guys will continue to say,
Well done man,
nay woman
and
keep your spirits high …
So that Neopoet’s never die,
Nor say the obnoxious word, die,
Except dye
To say to you
Do it, to your balding
graying hair
Hope you do...

loved

One longish poem does not an epic writer make lol. This was a response to another writer who said he liked it when I ramble, so I gave him a rambler ............stan

author comment
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