The woodland was quiet, but for a mild breeze,
The rustle thro’ leaves of a scorpion’s sting,
A cuckoo’s call from the canopy of trees,
a squirrel exulting in the warmth of spring.
Crossing the worn-out and abandoned rails,
Past the boulders with a polished shine,
Through an awakening sea of swallowtails
On boughs that were, with blossoms, supine,
I walked, drawn to the gushing of a stream
My weary legs wobbled, searching for a way.
Of a kingfisher’s plumage, I caught a gleam.
Through the copse I glimpsed a sparkling ray.
A narrow trail opened up, invisible to all
but the discerning eye that can spot a clue.
Through thickets and thorny hedges tall,
A lovely, flowing stream came into view.
On its sinuous banks, I plonked myself down.
The stream’s music soothed my tired spirit.
A smile erased traces of an over-night frown.
I was re-energized, raring and fit.
Life’s travails are insignificant thorns
To be taken out with pluck and a steady hand:
This reflection I gathered that morn
From a serene stream amidst the woodland.
Nature’s tranquil bliss goads the man to find
The wisdom hidden in the depths of his mind.
Author notes
Written May 27th, 2005
What did you think
Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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soothing
vow.a great work.tranquility reigns.photographic.thanx for the lovely rendering.congrats. -
Thanks, Draco. The imagery was inspired by India. Squirrels, scorpions and cuckoos etc are common in our parts of the world, too.
Krishna
Edited on Jun 19, 10:22 p.m. because ''. -
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
This is a wonderfully descriptive poem and I have to say that I absolutely adore the imagery that you've chosen. The details you've included of certain animals is extremely well done. My favourite is the line about the squirrel. Exulting in the warmth of spring is something that I love to do. I thought perhaps the imagery was inspired by India but the animals you've chosen to mention seem more commonly found in England. COuld you perhaps tell me where you found your inspiration? Amazing poem. -
Thank you, Mark for your wonderful comments.
(Copse means a clump of trees, a thicket, shrubbery.)
Krishna -
I thoroughly enjoyed this poem but the final two lines are among the best lines of poetry I have ever read -
Nature’s tranquil bliss goads the man to find
The wisdom hidden in the depths of his mind.
So true. I live in the city so I don't get out into unmanicured nature often enough, but sometimes I turn off the crime dramas and mindless sitcoms on TV and watch a nature show. It takes an adjustment of the attention span but once I get immersed in it, I enjoy it more, and when it's over, I feel more relaxed, with a feeling of being part of something larger than myself - nature, the universe, the circle of life, etc. The only sad thing is when I was a child, nature shows all ended with "And that's the story of the three-toed water sloth" or whatever the subject was. Now they all end with some alarming message like, "There are only 7 three-toed water sloths left in the wild, and they're running scared, too." Makes me wonder how much longer the natural world will last, and how we'll all survive without it. As Chief Seattle wrote, "What will happen when the beasts are all gone, and the secret corners of the forest are heavy with the scent of many men? The end of living and the beginning of survival."
One word I didn't know was "copse". I didn't look it up so it may just be unfamiliar to me. Thought I'd mention it in case it's a typo.
Again, great work.
Mark -
More on this, I think the two of us may have briefly met and then gone our separate ways at the edge of the forest. Somehow we ended up on the bank of the same stream though... Check it out: http://allpoetry.com/Poem/1186993
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Krishna you're the best when it comes to nature... your words have liven up the forest... you've caputred the glimpse beautifully...
mina -
Beautiful! So tranquil. Reads like a meditation. I think the use of 'natural terms' is a bit overdone, but I find that I just don't care. By the end, I felt so peaceful, it just didn't matter. I particularly Love that quote you included - truly stunning.
~ ~ Sincerely, Janet ~ ~
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You describe the peace of the forest so beautifully here Krishna, my soul yearns to be there. What woodland is this?
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beautiful
Nature gives so much. Including inspiration. Many poets also love to find solace in nature. Great read. Fantastic images. Makes we want to go for a walk. Beautiful. -
this is really good, i understood it very well
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amazing imagery. you can perfectly see the scene you've laid out in this poem. it made me feel as though i were there, walking the path, too. this line really struck me; "A smile erased traces of an over-night frown". nice job.
Edited on May 27, 8:54 because ''. -
Beautifully captured as could only be by one who has traversed the trail and sat on the bank of the stream. I could feel the ferns brushing my legs and the dampness of the soft moss underfoot as I read. Funny how even the biting insects are insignificant when the communion with nature is so powerful. Thanks for sharing the experience.
Longroadhome -
Nature 's melody
Wow..The descriptions part of the write is more beautiful then the beauty pointed out in the nature. The flow is a taking note of the naturalness with a kind of melodies giving a feel of the nature's glance. I am really happy to see the commitment of the poet to roam in the details of the deep nature also taking us in that deep areas of the nature. I really appreciate the effort which has been seen in the structuring the poetic manner/desiging of the phrassing . Very impressive.prabhudayal khattar -
very good write. i love the imagery. the sense of solitude and peace drew me in. lovely!!! keep up the great work! i just gotta say it one more time THIS WAS GREAT!!
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in the deep woods our limbs can touch life balanced on stronger limbs that grace the leavings of nature, our feet can wealk shadowed places where ancient men dreamed and found sustenance, and our ears can be moved by the songs of the birds, and realize that the woods is a quiet shade of lifes better side...lovely write.~~Artis
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