To walk alone
on the dirt road.
Whatever the weather,
to be grateful for it.
To step and step
and step again—
not toward an end,
but for the joy
of stepping.
Squirrel tail.
Creek scent.
Swish of last year’s leaves.
Nowhere to be
but here.
And the next here.
And next.To know
the self as traveler.
To know the self
as road.
To know each step
as freedom when
there’s nowhere
to go.
Lovely. Do you know William Stafford’s poem of the same name?
https://wordsfortheyear.com/2018/07/04/freedom-by-william-stafford-repost/
I didn’t know this poem … but I am glad to! thank you for sharing it! And of course I love what he notes about 4 a.m.
So lovely, Rosemerry. A beautiful illustration of life’s pilgrimage. And the last four lines are truly timely for these times when personal freedom is being curbed for the greater good. Thank you! 😊 💜
thank you, Joy … pilgrimage. that’s a gorgeous word. And to the heart of the poem. thank you.
Is this in one of your books, one of the ones available on your website?
Not in any books–I just wrote it! But you can print it out!