There are many wonderful hiking trails in Ashland, Oregon (names from the “Alice in Wonderland”) story. I began one Saturday afternoon at the Bandersnatch trailhead then returned on the Snark path.
It was on the later part of the hike that I came across a glorious splash of yellow among the forest’s autumn transition. It was also an inspiration for a poem. Mine is below, you can also read C.S. Lewis’s Jabberwocky (references the Bandersnatch) and The The Hunting of the Snark poems.
Hey God, lets go for a walk?
It sounds odd, an unlikely question to ask.
Yet simple, no etiquette, rules.
Conventions or task.
As the hike began through trees
And light rain
I wondered “How do I start?”
So, I kept it quite plain.
“How are you doing God?”
I imagined the ask was rather rare
“Your being is in everything
And for this I care.”
As I stepped over roots and adjusted the pace
My monolog listed my sorrows and pains
I keep giving each one saying “here you go God”
And asked why it all still remains?”
I’ve learned much these past months
Since bliss slipped away,
Unearthing assumptions, dispelling beliefs
While holding the pain each minute, hour, and day.
I explained how I yearned to go back
In time, to practice what now
Seemed obvious and clear changing
Reality some how.
My thoughts slipped away with the smell
Of damp cedar and the cry of a hawk
It took a few moments and returned
To Our talk.
“It’s hard to keep loving and lead from the heart”
Then a thought surged from no where
“These answers you know”
From God came a voice that clearly was there.
“You are a human being, a feeler, and thinker and doer
In the spell of beliefs that led you astray
And now your soul surges with creation and knowing
A blessing embellishes each single day.”
The answers fell deeply in the cracks of my heart
With the promise to speak true, listen for clarity,
Act on what I know all the time doing my best
Bowing to humility, grace and temerity.
As the cadence of life churns
I can start each walk the same way
Inhaling with reverence and asking
“Hi God, how was your day?”