in vain I dotted eye’s, crossed t(oe)’s
kneeling at pews, reciting crisp evening prayers
I mouthed resolutions to be good, be better
soul dormant, half willing god to reel me in
like any other fish, I feared to rise to bait,
to surface, to make a spectacle of frag-
(de-)mented self
…but that was then, this is now
I spend my days in contemplating nature,
take my cues from her broad spectrum’s
living-life examples; you’ll see me (if
you see me) walking on a pebbly beach,
hiking old-growth forest, or standing
still to drink in wisdom some pond’s
depth-reflection sounds me
…and by that time the winter
pond showed fresh green
unfurling
___
for the Sunday Whirl: Wordle 39 (words drawn from Thoreau’s Walden: Pond in Winter)
and for dVerse OpenLinkNight – Week 27
you and i would get along very well. I love to wander in nature. I forgot that this was a wordle! Well done. ‘her broad spectrum’s living example’ wonderful!
Oh my favorite lines in this fine poem are “to drink in wisdom some pond’s depth-reflection sounds me”…just love the feelings they engender.
The start of this writing reminded me of my wasted days in childhood religion when I should have been seeing the beauty of the creation all around
Well written
Ian aka Emu
Hi Ruth ~~ I like the change you portray here. It is obvious something happened in that person’s life. Perhaps he/she was made to go to church while living at home? :)
Like your poet, I used to sleep in church. Or day dream or play mind games. Unlike your poet I still attend church but love the Lord and pay attention and give proper worship to my life’s Master.
..
Ruth, This is fantastic. Your splitting of (de)fragment to hint at “demented” is brilliant. In my opinion, church walls don’t offer an experience of what is holy in nature. Your piece hints at my own feelings. This is among my favorite pieces this week. Thank you.
I wonder, as I read this piece, if we get to a place that looks sort of like this: then…now…then again. I don’t know the answer to my wondering, do you?
I at least have been there :o) – but in retrospect I don’t think it’s the exact same ‘then’ as before… not as mired somehow, though it took me a long time to see that
You have woven the wordle words into your poem quite seamlessly. It’s a beautiful piece! Here’s to spring and fresh green unfurling!
Beautiful reflections from your pond, Ruth.
This is so beautiful Ruth, a wonderful piece of writing and made even more so, when I realise that you have incorporated the wordle words as well! :-)
I love it.
x
Ahhhhhh……..this is as lovely as a walk in that forest……….just beautiful.
It’s such a wonder the wisdom and understanding that comes with age alone and not only that but the things we clung to in youth seem to diminish and leave us as if it were never a part of ourselves. I love how this makes me ponder the change in human nature, inner and outward perspectives as well. Nice, poignant pen!
:)
I like how one set of answers wasn’t good enough for you- so you found others. Thanks – mosk
i like how you used the words
lovely and a fresh feeling to this thank you xxx
sounds like we have had similar journey and i find in the rhythms of nature much more god than i did in the pews….just saying…smiles.
“half willing god to reel me in
like any other fish”
I so relate to this. Beautifully done.
Oh man this is awesome…
“in vain I dotted eye’s, crossed t(oe)’s
kneeling at pews, reciting crisp evening prayers
I mouthed resolutions to be good, be better
soul dormant, half willing god to reel me in
like any other fish, I feared to rise to bait,
to surface, to make a spectacle of frag-
(de-)mented self ”
That first line caught me! So well done ….
Beautiful poem, Ruth. I love these lines….I spend my days in contemplating nature,
take my cues from her broad spectrum’s
living-life examples.
So much more can be seen by looking around and experiencing, rather than being preached at. Nicely told and you can cross your toes? wow I can’t do that..haha yes I just tried, shhh.
wonderfully to read.
I spend my days in contemplating nature,
take my cues from her broad spectrum’s
living-life examples;
Ah the Druid in me that love that part!
A wonderful weave (inspired by words from another wonderful write!) Nature is my church…always there, always open, always willing to accept me as i am. Loved this!
Some times, some journey’s of life look so similar and I could relate to this at a different level. Thanks for sharing…
Shashi
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
I think winter is a time for contemplation, hibernation. Love the last three lines. Spring, new life! Love this one, Ruth.
This rings many familiar bells for me, Ruth. I don’t remember telling you all this!! :0)
This piece echoes my own contemplations and reflections – I believe the God of all is found in the nature of that which makes us, which surrounds us, He is in all and that is where He is most accessible. While I love the beautiful churches, I am closest to the ONE by the sea, in the woods, watching life flourish and grow. What a beautifully expressed poem. I love reading your work; it makes you feel so close, so real!
I loved the opening to this poem, and it gets better from there.
Me too, Ruth :-)
mmmm… the contrast… they way your words flowed…
this was beautiful!
~L
I enjoyed the nature walk with you. Thanks. :)
Drawn to your site by the title, which has ‘turtle’ in it. Beautifully written post here. Glad to have noticed your site.
lovely coming together of self expressed here. beautiful write ~ Rose