I walked in the woods today
far under scattered clouds —
though it didn’t make me a boy again.
No dog by my side
circling ahead and back,
no sense of wonder at where I might emerge.
Patches of snow from an indecisive December
lay astride the path and filled in hollows.
Straining for the distant sound
of my mother’s voice
calling me in from play,
I heard only birds calling.
—
Nearly a month from moment to paper, when everything but renunciation seems a struggle.
bussokuseki 
“Right here” is not always where we had hoped to be, but it is real. I still miss Chenin as I know you always will.
Just beautiful! I know that walk and you took me back. Thank you.
How wonderful that it resonated in some way. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. I wish you well~
Sometimes your poems are like a balm for the soul. . . so it is with this one. There is a really pretty, yet almost melancholy hush to this piece. It makes me want to take a walk. Hope you are well and warm. xo.
I am deeply touched, Charlotte, thank you so much. Blessings to you~
Love the last stanza!
So happy – I reworked it several times… Be well~
This took me back, with one exception… I am rarely without my canine companions. Having read your words I am equal parts pensive and grateful. My “walk” continues and I grow in strength and comfort when I place myself in the shoes of others who, too, are ‘out there.’ Thank you!
And thank you, Eric, for your comment and your pensiveness – it is a gift, always, to see both. Be well~
your words brought to mind:
Memory returns
to those ancient misty trails
around my village–
but neither flowers nor love
blooms there–only my sadness. ~ Issa
I am always touched by the words you post in reply, Brenda, it is such a gift each time. Be well~
Wonderful!! Brings back many memories….
Thank you, Byron – I am so glad! Be well this day~
I love the way the dog appears in this poem, and the phrase “indecisive December.”
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I am so happy those pieces resonated for you. Indecisive it was… Be well~
I was wondering where you’d got to – that was a l-o-n-g walk to have been on when everything seems a struggle; where did you get to; now that you’re back, wash your hands and have a sandwich and do the same walk exactly again … properly, this time: breathing, not holding your breath … and take the ‘dog’ with you this time
A long walk indeed, even though the woods are small. It seems, after all, that where I have gotten to us right here.
Thank you for the wonderful words. Blessings, my friend~