Here I am walking, walking on my road again. I know which way to go. I’m feeling quite at home. Much as I’ve ever wanted it to be some other way, a country road with trees on either side has always been my road. Things are never too straight, too finished on a country road, and people with such expectations find other roads to get where they are going. They don’t see the beauty here; all they see is slow. I think I’m glad about that. No, I know I’m glad about that, because I like walking on my road. I like going slow.Through the years my road has seen me skipping, riding, holding hands—telling secrets to my friends—crying, looking for a trace of hope. I’ve sat beside it among the trees, watching grass grow, thinking. I’ve surrendered to the winds of change that took small dreams away from me and brought bigger ideas back to replace them. I’ve seen shooting stars up in this sky at night while walking to find out where I was going.
Each step I’ve felt the tiny changes underfoot as the shoulder went from rockier to frozen to softer. I’d stop to take in the view. I’d stop to feel the space around me. I’d stop to find out who I am, all the while knowing that this road was going where I was going. I was safe as long as I stayed on it—the pathway of my life, full of beauty and still growing.
I have shared my road with friends, talking of relationships and eating ice cream cones. They’ve said, “We miss our walks. When will we walk again?” Then life put a turning so that next walk never happened. I guess that despite our loyalty I always knew my friends would need to walk on their own roads.
And I was meant to walk my road alone—alone inside a sweet fall breeze, under trees with music in the air, and me wondering what’s beyond that incline in the sunlight up ahead. Too bad my friends will miss it.
It’s a lovely day to be walking on my road.
—me strauss Letting me be
16 comments:
Things come together and they come apart, but the train always goes clackity clack down the railroad track. I'm on a slow train, chugging as I sit and watch from the comfort of my seat as the mountains with their snowcapped peaks pass by. I dream of climbing them. I write about my dreams. I dream of climbing them with my friends nearby, enjoying the valleys so green and wide and the fresh, crisp air in our lungs.
But for now I go clackity clack, and enjoy the track and the sun setting across the mountains.
Hi G-
I rode the train through the mountains the scenery is beautiful. The air is light and cool. The space is good for the soul. The angels like it there.
ghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhl.
Giggle.
Lhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhg
That was the sound of my train whistle.
Cool train. I've never heard one do that.
I need a road like that. The only time I get a sense of calm like that is when I'm hiking in the foothills behind where I live.
Good morning.
I'm travelling my own road too It's kind of twisty and turny. It's got a lot of trees, some sun light, some shadow. Some hot spots and cold spots...and always a new turn when you least expect it.
My friends come visit it occassionaly...though they never stay long--it's not home to them, but it's still nice when they visit.
Hi Patrikc,
Sounds like the foothills might be that road for you. After all the road doesn't really have to be taking you anywhere. Like Harry Chapin said, "It's got to be the going not the getting there that's good."
This is one of the most beautiful poems I have read composed in prose.
The road is more than meets the eye.
The road is the journey of life.
Your words are golden.
Jennifer,
I wrote you a comment this morning. i'm not quite sure where it went. With your life I can bet your road has many twists and turns. :P
smiles,
liz
Thank you so much, Orikinia,
I know you don't use your words lightly. I appreciate you saying that.
smiles,
liz
Liz:
Nice. I like the lyrical quality, the soft whisper of a voice speaking and relating, the quiet reflection of a life's journey well traveled. Enjoyed this one a lot.
Scot
Thank you, Scot,
I appreciate your perspective on what I write. I hadn't realized it, but yes, I guess I was sort of whispering through the trees. I was reflecting on the confort that a country road affords me.
Liz
Ahh, yes, especially to walk in autumn, but reallly any season. This reminds me a bit of Frost's "The Road Not Taken", for if you did not indulge in your walks then you'd not be true to yourself... I'm glad your walks are special for you.
This past weekend I was fortunate to have enjoyed a long walk in a new area with my husband who accompanied me on a nature photoshoot. It wasn't comforting like the familiar roads we often walk, but it was invigorating, a need my soul also requires.
Ah, yes Silvermoon,
The chance to be out about in creation and part of the world where we were conceived is a powerful thing for the soul, almost like flying.
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