FanStory.com - Sweet Release on Pathways Wideby Mrs. KT
Exceptional
An introspective rhymed verse
Sweet Release on Pathways Wide
by Mrs. KT Poem of the Month contest entry
My world is framed by fleeting daysFilled often by perplexing ways
That seep into my daily life
And cause their share of undo strife
On recent dawn, I stepped outsideTo sort my thoughts on pathways wide
And find a way to calm my fears
That echoed far; that hovered nearAnd in those hours of frosty mornWhen fields lay bare of summer's corn,And trees had shed their garbs of green,I memorized each passing sceneOf twirling, dancing crimson leavesCascading down in autumn breeze As chipmunks searched for acorns roundWhile flickers* made their drumming sound
Of blue jays squawking, "Jay! Jay! Jay!"
As I continued on my way
Toward the lake where holly* grows
In wild abandon, not in rows
Of red-tailed fox who lingered near
To lap fresh water without fear,
And though I stood within his sight,
He sensed I was not cause for flight
And as I paused in silent awe
Of what I heard, and touched, and saw
I felt a calm come over me
Not all at once, but by degree:
So many days spent in a raceTo reach a goal; to win first placeYet, striding free beyond closed walls,Renewal waited; it enthralled
Author Notes Our northern Michigan woods and lakes are filled with chipmunks, red-tailed foxes, blue jays, Michigan holly, and the Northern Flicker woodpecker.
The photos embedded in my poem are free google images of the common chipmunk stuffing his pouch with acorns, the wild and wooly Winterberry Holly that Michiganders refer to as "Michigan holly" that grows in abundance along the ponds, marshes, and lakes of northern Michigan, the red-tailed fox (We have a resident red-tailed fox that lives in our neighborhood), and the ever-scolding Blue Jay who seems to accompany me whenever I roam the wide pathways of my world.
A wonderful video to introduce readers to Winterberry Holly:
For folks who are unfamiliar with the Northern Flicker, here is some interesting information: Wood is everything to the Northern Flicker: nesting site, food source, and resting perch. This bird's favorite habitat is an open grove of trees. Flickers like to use the exposed ground to forage for insects. Northern Flickers will still live in areas without many trees if there are wooden structures that take their place.
(birdfeederhub.com/facts-about-northern-flickers/)
Thank you for stopping by!
diane kenel-truelove
10/20/2024
Of blue jays squawking, "Jay! Jay! Jay!"
As I continued on my way
Toward the lake where holly* grows
In wild abandon, not in rows
Of red-tailed fox who lingered near
To lap fresh water without fear,
And though I stood within his sight,
He sensed I was not cause for flight
