Inspired by a hike in the Smoky Mountains this past spring. I’ve added a local track…
Through steep and narrow paths I forge
Where glacier carved the river gorge
The wind in the forest whispers her name
Woodland creatures praise her fame
While sunlight trickles through the branches
Mountain Mama sits on her haunches
Washed with rain and in torrent bathed
Her overflow becomes a cascade
To quench the forest’s eager thirst
To green the foliage, flowers burst
And where leaves and logs in forest lay
She wears the perfume of loamy decay
Then sunlight fades to purple twilight
Emerge the winged creatures of night
Over moonlit treetops, bat wings flutter
Gently worship Earth, their mother
Before the purple fades on the end of day
I bid mother goodnight and go on my way
A lovely photo and words Meg!! I felt like I was walking along with you. Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
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Thank you, Lola! I love the outdoors. Enjoy your weekend, too!
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Me too Meg!! I looks like you live in a gorgeous part of the country!
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Ah! This particular hike was on a trip to the Smokies in Tennessee. I live outside Philadelphia! Not quite the same sort of beauty!
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What a great and historical city!! I bet you spend a lot of time at King of Prussia Mall! 😉
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Philly is fun! I get to the KoP Mall once in a while. It’s overwhelming!!!
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Love it! 😊
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Thanks so much! 😃
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Really lovely, Meg. I love the outdoors too.
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There’s nothing like being alone in the woods with no human sounds around to restore your soul. Thanks so much! 💜
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I agree! And you’re very welcome 💜
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Lovely! I think that deserves an audio version from you.
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You know what? I was thinking about it! What a coincidence! Maybe I will add an audio track…
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I could hear you reading it as read!
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I hope my voice (and my American accent) wouldn’t disappoint!
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No, heard your voice already. I always forgive American accents – you can’t help it I know!!!!
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Smiling!
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I’ve added a vocal, just for you!
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Too kind. 😍
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😊😊😊
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Oh, this is so beautiful!
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Thank you, Kay!
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You’re welcome! Sounds like an amazing hike. I love hiking, too.💜
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Perfection!
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Thank you Peter!
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Very pretty, TN is a lovely state, particularly the mountains!
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Thanks, Dee! I hope you are enjoying your vacation!
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Not yet. We leave the 19th. I really am unnaturally excited. God, I need a vacation, but coordinating the dogs, eight people, all the arrangements. I miss the days of just me getting on a plane even if it was for work 🙂 But once I’m there … heaven!
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Aha! I thought you had left already. I hear you about the coordinating. Board the dog, get a house sitter (and an elderly mother sitter…) 😏
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Yeah, and even tho I bitch, I probably wouldn’t trust anyone else to do it 🙂
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Ha! No, exactly!
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I don’t know why I expected an accent. You have a lovely reading voice! Do you have others? Are you on sound cloud. I’d love to include you on Poets Speak if so. Nice job!
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Thank you, Rob! No I’m not on SoundCloud, but if there’s a way for you to use the MP4 I’d be happy to share. I’ve read two others: Just Burn and Fallen. They can be found under my poetry tag if you want to listen. And thank you again!
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Can you make and email the files? Keatsj1964@gmail.com
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Sure. Do you want all three or just this one?
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All three please
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You got it! Thank you again!
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I’ll work on it! Love your style
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Sent them! Thank you again. 😊
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Oh I love this and particularly because I can hear you!
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Thanks, Rita! ❤
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Love this… so rhythmic 🙂
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Thank you, Al! I should’ve hashtagged it!
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Yes, you should’ve! 😀
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There will be more! 😘
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Am glad to hear it! 😀
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Oh this is so lovely! Your poem and your reading of it! I’m so happy to hear your voice. 🙂
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Thank you! I just went out for a long walk to clear my head. Nothing like nature to restore your soul. 🙂🙃🙂
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Very true and it’s been warm. All our snow melted, great time for a walk!
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I’m still waiting on that snow! 😩
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Do you usually get a lot?
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Most of the time. Several good storms at least. We’ve had some 1-2 feet accumulations the past few winters. Not so this year…
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We’ve actually not had too much either. Last storm gave us 4 inches or so and that’s the most this winter. But I don’t want it, lol.
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It’s just so doldrum -y without it! Everything looks so dirty!
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Well, that’s true. Snow does make everything look nicer. And makes the measly winter sun that much brighter.
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Sparkly! ✨
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Hey Meg, the start time for the Steelers/Chiefs game has been changed from 1:05 to 8:20, due to the bad weather they’re expecting.
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I know, what a mess! Ice storm!
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I will have to drink plenty of coffee, so I can watch the whole game.
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Yeah… I hate the late games!
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I hear you, my friend…
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Neat: I really enjoyed the combination of voice, words, and photo. Reading along greatly enhanced by poet’s voice. Thank you.
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Wonderful poem and reading 🙂
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Thanks, Em!
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Good poem Meg… almost Wicca.
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Thank you! Nature is a tonic, at least for a while.
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True, mountains especially. Though sometimes scenic beauty can be hell.
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Hmmm you must explain
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Hmmm don’t fall for my cheap cynicism, I do it to be provocative.
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I’m not that committed to nature that this remark would provoke me. I enjoy the outdoors but I’m just as content to wander asphalt streets and concrete sidewalks. Everything has the potential to be hell as far as I’m concerned. I call your cynical and raise you…
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I was thinking of the line by Mishima and also Nabokovs laugher in the dark. The young cynical nymphet Margot is hungry and looks outside at the gorgeous sunshine, it’s beautiful but she can’t pawn it.
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these words are beautiful
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Thank you so much. 🙂
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