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Open Poetry #45
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The Forest Path
| Open Poetry #45 |
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The Forest Path |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa 
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THE FOREST PATH 1 January 2001 Wander with me along this path, that winds deep into the forest sanctuary. See the tiny red-petalled gem called Anathacæma laxa as if to protect its fragility. Please do not pick it for it has done us no harm. Listen… round the corner is a Natal robin teasing us with his song. Smell the clean, sweet, newly-washed forest air. Look… there is a blue duiker. Do not let us frighten it away with loud chatter. See with what grace that magnificent black mamba moves into the whispering of dry leaves to escape from us. Stop a moment to see the burnished copper tones of that bracket fungus above your head. And look, there is a Vervet monkey watching us quizzically. And there he leaps and another, and another. The whole troop is here, flying from branch to branch, putting trapeze artists to shame. And all the while fresh-forest air scented with ethereal flowers fills our lungs with peace. Tread with care lest you harm a little creature needlessly. Let us sit here a while at this gurgling stream. Look there is a Cape wagtail and there’s its mate and there’s a tiny, tiny frog. Notice - so many don’t - the velvet moss and curly lichen. They have taken so long to grow. I’m glad you won’t destroy it - absent-mindedly or with intent. Look at those brave spines protecting that Hluhluwe creeper and look how it snakes its way almost to form an arch. And if you follow that single-minded trunk, you will find the rounded head of that cabbage tree, where it has pierced the canopy of leaves to reach the sunlight. Take off your heavy shoes and strangling socks and dip your feet into the singing waters so icy cold in this cool summer haven. Why can’t we stay here forever hidden in the snail hours? Owl |
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| © Copyright 2009 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved | |||
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GBride Senior Member
since 2009-07-02
Posts 538 |
This is a jewel of a poem. You have a great deal of talent! I salute you! You have a wonderful ability! |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you for your kind comments, GBride. Owl |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Diana dearest, there is a picture of my Mother here on my desk, it was with her voice that I read and perceived your awe-inspiring "Forest Path". I was introduced to the wondrous beauty of a forest by her and she smiled at me now here, because she found in you another soul who is able to listen to the sacred sound of nature and to see with the eyes of the heart all life. I bow to you, together with my Mother, for creating and sharing this outstanding write. Love, Margherita  |
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Yoinn Senior Member
since 2007-08-16
Posts 649Michigan |
Owl, This made my mind right. Thank you it was beautiful. Yoin Just reworked my old poetry page. Check it out before geocities takes it down. Yoin |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Margherita, I am honoured to the point of tears to be mentioned in the same breath as the mother of such a person as you, especially a mother as special as yours is, and especially in such beautiful words as you wrote, and especially in her voice. I feel that I know at least a very little bit of her, and I am enriched by the experience. Thank you Yoinn. I am very happy to have made your mind right and honoured that you told me. Owl |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Fantastic...James |
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
an impression most fine ... grand imagery! serious and long-sustained applause for this 'penning' !! |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
"Listen… round the corner is a Natal robin teasing us with his song." ~ I hear it! "Smell the clean, sweet, newly-washed forest air." ~Aww, I can smell it. This poem engaged my senses and soothed my sou. Divine piece of writing, Venerable One.  Love & Nature's Light, Linda  |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, James. I am glad you enjoyed it. Thank you, Bruce, for your kind words. Thank you, Linda. It makes me very happy to have soothed your soul. Owl |
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Oklahoma Rose Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586Oklahoma USA |
Owl, I always enjoyed hearing the sounds and watching the little creatures in the forest. I sure miss counry living. All, except those snakes. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you Sue. I love snakes. In South Africa, we have very snakes poisonous enough to kill a person. Mostly if you leave them alone, they leave you alone too. If they are cornered, it is understandable that they fight back out of fear. For example, puff adders (whose bite is very painful and causes infection, but is not actually poisonous, or if so, not very) sometimes lie almost under a log across a pathway. The correct way to step over a large log is to climb on to it and then to step down. That way you don't step on the puff adder. A puff adder who is stepped on can be forgiven for biting. I would, if I were a puff adder and I were stood on. When Flicka was alive, I kept his food in his feed room in tightly closed bins. However, not everybody did and a couple of times people found a brown house snake in their feed rooms and called me to catch it which I did and released it (both times) in my indigenous forest garden. Sadly I never saw them again which isn't to say they didn't stay for at least a while. Owl |
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Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
Loved this walk through Mother Nature you brought us.  ARCTIC WIND |
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2islander2 Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825by the sea |
Diana, this is a so well informed poem, I don't know the species you wrote but the wandering in nature is absolutly delicious almost divine...Watch your step is a very good motto while walking in woods, all moments of the poem are marvels and I would definitly adore walking with you to discover all the birds, plants you talk about....Thanks for this jewel... yann |
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moonbeam
since 2005-12-24
Posts 2356 |
Owl, this is beautiful. Takes me right back to Natal ~sigh~. The closing lines were inspired. Thanks.  |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, Arctic Wind. I am so glad you did. Thank you Yann for your delightful response. Yes, wandering in nature is absolutely delicious – I would go as far as to say divine – after all it is God’s creation – or rather creations. It is good to wander slowly so that one can try not to miss anything. I would equally adore walking with you to show you all the birds and animals and plants that I love so much. Thank you for calling it a jewel. Thank you Moonbeam. I can understand the sigh, Of course, Natal is now called KwaZulu-Natal – which I think rolls off the tongue very musically. Owl |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
This is precisely what I needed tonight. Thank you, for letting me walk that pathway with you, immersed in the most 'healing' place of all...the arms of nature. Your descriptions are such lively 3 dimensional beauties, I could feel the soft cool moss and lichens, hear the flap of birds winging their way through the forest canopy. An exquisite keeper write, Diana. |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
As a child I was well aquainted with the forest of Oregon. It is such a pleasure to read this and to know there are those who love nature as much as I do. I always learn from your poems, Diana. If I find a plant, an animal or something else I don't know about, I look it up. I have learned a lot about South Africa. Ida |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
Dear Diana, I can see you are a genuine lover of nature and you wrote it so well. There is nothing as soothing to the nerves as a relaxed stroll through the forest and be appreciative and knowledgeable of what you hear and see. A wonderful tale. love. Lindsay |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you, Kacy, for your magical response and your kind words. It was delightful to share the walk with you. I am very, very happy that you found it healing. Thank you, Ida, for your kind words. Ida, I am very touched by the fact that you have learned a lot about South Africa from my poems and delighted that you look up plants and animals, as I take great pleasure in doing. I have over 2000 books, many of which are field guides. Thank you, Lindsay, for enjoying it so much. Owl |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
a beautiful walk Diana richness of language is a true gift and it is yours |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
KATE! What a pleasure to see you here again! It has been a long time. Thank you for your kind words - coming from a wordsmith, such as you, they are especially meaningful. Smiles. Owl |
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