jchpiper Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Of Leaves, Squirrels, Dogs, and Dances Gazing out my kitchen window Change of seasons landed Nature again makes her mark She didn't ask my permission She didn't scatter her leaves orderly She allowed them to fall where they may With great purpose she allowed it The squirrel All that matters to him is the next nut Or the next squirrel to chase around the tree The dog All that matters to her is The next two-legged creature that comes along To caress and talk with her The next meal The next intruder Animals do not worry or engage in much ado Aye...I do think the animals In many ways are wiser than man What is their secret? simplicity and instinct Oh humankind Why have we allowed so much complexity, strife, unease? Where have our instincts gone? Who stole them? Why did we allow it? Perhaps if we jump off the 'Jones wheel' Perhaps if we smile and touch again Perhaps if we quiet ourselves long enough to observe the animals Even in the cities Perhaps we can again arrive at simplicity Arrive at instinct Arise each day with thankfulness in our hearts And a skip in our step Perhaps then life in all its richness And oneness can be enjoyed And we can bask in the goodness With which we are surrounded Will you join me? Here...take my hand Dance with me Show me your steps I'll show you mine Together we can make our lives, our families, our world A little better place december, 2004 judithpiper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Captain Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Theres a nature conservatory near the university-town I live in, Ive been taking 4-6 hour hikes through it. Nothing but my thoughts and the occasional animals in the valleys, forests, hollow, streams, rivers, ponds and plains. I'll be thinking of this poem the next time I find myself there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jchpiper Posted January 14, 2008 Author Share Posted January 14, 2008 Theres a nature conservatory near the university-town I live in, Ive been taking 4-6 hour hikes through it. Nothing but my thoughts and the occasional animals in the valleys, forests, hollow, streams, rivers, ponds and plains. I'll be thinking of this poem the next time I find myself there. I'm glad you like it Doc. What town is it, if you don't mind me asking? (note: I'm know to end personal questions with "if you don't mind me asking" because I understand if some folks don't like sharing that kind of info on the net. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Captain Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 Dont mind at all, its a small town few have heard of called Belton about halfway between Waco and Austin. Despite what some people think texas is not all dusty plains and deserts, in the hill country in north and central texas things can actually be quite nice in the fall and winter. The park in question is a bit of a natrual wonder, lots of geological oddities, caves, bluffs, rivers even a few springs. Lots of trees, mostly oak, pecan and a few varieties of firs Im not sure about. Wildlife sort of runs the usual woods gamut, racoons, deer, coyotes, rabbits, turkey etc. And if I didnt have this great park nearby I would probably go a bit nuts from being on a campus all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jchpiper Posted January 14, 2008 Author Share Posted January 14, 2008 Dont mind at all, its a small town few have heard of called Belton about halfway between Waco and Austin. Despite what some people think texas is not all dusty plains and deserts, in the hill country in north and central texas things can actually be quite nice in the fall and winter. The park in question is a bit of a natrual wonder, lots of geological oddities, caves, bluffs, rivers even a few springs. Lots of trees, mostly oak, pecan and a few varieties of firs Im not sure about. Wildlife sort of runs the usual woods gamut, racoons, deer, coyotes, rabbits, turkey etc. And if I didnt have this great park nearby I would probably go a bit nuts from being on a campus all the time. Cool. Nice that you have that get away. I look for those as well in the various places I have lived. I have been to TX quite a few times. Got stuck in Amarillo hitch hiking once, stuck there for 14+ hours on a very cold November night. May I ask what you are studying in school? I'm not sure how stirck the rules are on these forums...I can tangent/derail a thread pretty quickly, but get it back on track. Since this is my thread, I'll tangent a moment. If it is inappropriate, I'm sure someone will let me know. I think much of life is learned better on the derails anyway. btw: Your comment brings to mind another poem....I'll post it shortly on this thread, so as to get this thread back on track... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Captain Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 Well since its your thread to begin with I dont think anyone will mind. Oddly enough Im a computer science major, though I tend to enjoy philosophy english and politcal science more. (It just seemed that the goal of most of those degrees was teaching, which I have little interest in.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jchpiper Posted January 14, 2008 Author Share Posted January 14, 2008 Well since its your thread to begin with I dont think anyone will mind. Oddly enough Im a computer science major, though I tend to enjoy philosophy english and politcal science more. (It just seemed that the goal of most of those degrees was teaching, which I have little interest in.) Maybe you can make $$ at the Comp Sci and continue the other studies as hobbies....and somehow eventually blend the interests. Of course, you've probably already pondered that. ******************************** Below is that other poem I thought of that you might like...and you might not... Hmmm...I think I'll add two poems. Cheers! ~carol ****************************** Carousel Sphere I dwelt among the trees today From sunrise through the night All the while senses keen Songbirds, breezes, streaming light Wild wood pageant stirs my soul Mourning dove coos her tune Sun sets below the horizon Wind whistles 'neath the moon Lilies close their petal doors Fireflies light their mating dance Dogs bay their warning calls Shooting stars announce their final glance I stand upon the mountain's edge Across the valley sails a hum Leaves roll their chant o'er the crests My cheeks kissed by zephyr's strum Night after night this story echoes The same display as ages past I stand in awe, majestic beauty Ever so patient, spinning so fast june 10, 2007 judithpiper ************************************************ The Cricket A cricket sat upon My golden glasses rim He looked me in the eye And I looked back at him His eyes were big and round One eyelid blinked a wink I gazed at him and asked "What is it that you think?" He bobbed his head, stroked his legs Playing a solemn tune Then he answered wisely Beneath the silver moon "My life it may be short Yet I work day and night My melodies I play With great purpose and delight For those in wood and town The two-legged creatures great Reminding them that if I cease They'll know it is too late." He hopped right off my glasses And sauntered to the trees At night now when I hear him I bow upon my knees september 15, 2oo7 judithpiper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Captain Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 The first I tried read fast and got an interesting effect form. The second reminds me in some ways of "To A Mouse" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jchpiper Posted January 14, 2008 Author Share Posted January 14, 2008 The first I tried read fast and got an interesting effect form. The second reminds me in some ways of "To A Mouse" I like that dancing Jesus. I had to google "To A Mouse." http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/554.htm I see the similarity. Thanks for the reference. Reading about Burns...and how he composed as he ploughed is interesting. I composed "A Cricket" while on a long hike. My hip started hurting so I started composing to get my mind off the pain. I kept reciting the verse over and over....and when I got to a pen and paper I wrote down what I had and filled in the rest. The first one I wrote after a day of hiking. As our (hubby and I) manner is we pulled out our chairs and watched the night sky appear. One of our simple joys...and it cost nothing ... well the gas to drive a 1-1/2 hours and time to get lost in the sky. I look forward to warm weather again to resume our almost weekly excursions. Thanks Doctor!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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