I love walking in the forest
Losing sight of road, rail and town
I want to hug the trees awhile
To dip my hands in bubbling streams
I've done it most of my long life
Such a pleasure with my dear wife
We'd sit us down with backs to trees
As birds appear when we are still
Owls would open one eye to check
"Whoo, whoo?" One whispers to their mate
"The usual two, they do no harm
They come from beyond Arnold's farm"
We sit down now part of the scene
Gum trees wave branches looking down
They seem quite pleased to see us too
As the west wind now makes them bow
A lone roo comes to check us out
Joined by mate and joey close by
Satisfied, forest comes alive
Geckos run up and down the limbs
The scent of trees tells us to stay
Every creature knows they're safe
My wife is crying and so am I
We'll remember this 'til we die
Note: I have mentioned in odd previous posts that my wife was an avid bird watcher and needless to say I got roped in as well and many delightful moments were spent getting lost in forests or deserts hoping we could find our way back to the car. Occasionally we'd come across a bird or furry animal trapped in branches miles from anywhere and needing help to get away. There is nothing quite like seeing the surprise on a bird's face that we were not going to eat them but they were free to fly back home afterwards.
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/forest-dark-woods-trail-path-1031022/
I like that we both wrote about owls this week - and what a wonderful story and hobby to share
ReplyDeleteWonderfully recollected & thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSuch a captavating poem with your forest adventures and descriptions. I understood that it's not quite the same, without your wife present. Thank you for sharing this very personal aspect...
ReplyDeleteWhen i got to the gum trees, i rememembered a song we sang as girl guides(some say scouts) " kookobarra sits in the old gum tree merry merry king of the bush is he...
ReplyDeleteMuch💞love
I sang that one too, Gillena! I wasn't a Girl Guide very long, but everyone in Australia (in my time anyway) knew that song.
DeleteIt sounds enchanting. I love that the roos came to visit, and also that you rescued critters that needed help.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you helped creatures in need. It sounds like a most enchanting and fun time.
ReplyDeleteLove the vivid imagery and atmospheric quality of your poem, Robin!💞
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of conversing with nature with the promise to never forget. I'm sharing this one with My One.
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for owls, we have two in our garden, and my mother loved them too. I love the way you express your passion for nature in the lines:
ReplyDelete‘I want to hug the trees awhile
To dip my hands in bubbling streams’
and the picture you paint of your adopted country in the lines:
‘Gum trees wave branches looking down
They seem quite pleased to see us too
As the west wind now makes them bow
A lone roo comes to check us out
Joined by mate and joey close by’.
You have pulled me into the scene and I love it, so very Robert Frost of you! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful reminiscence. And I love your note about freeing the trapped birds.
ReplyDeleteLovely. I don't watch birds in the forest but I see them regularly on my lawn
ReplyDeleteMust buy me an owl, no No wonder the other birds don't want to be around them. Thanks for the gardening tip, must buy me some.
ReplyDelete..
It must be quite cathartic being a birdwatcher. I love the imagery and the sense of being at one with the forest.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely experience, memory. It's wonderful how nature opens up to us if we take the time to be still. That's so seldom done anymore with all the business so many of us creat for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a delightful walk, and I am so glad you stop to help animals. lovely writing
ReplyDelete