MAINE

the crackling of wet twigs under foot
an early morning and coffee brewed
it's smell mingling with early mountain dew
as a small stream races with the day

I am witness to a morning in a new way
as besotted soil records the first traces of my stay
and morning light shimmering upon a Juniper tree
ever so slightly, a hummingbird hovering by its leaves

a barrage of insects skim the water
awakened by a rising sun
squirrels chase and barter
hiding their acorns one by one

last nights camp fire
like it's flames a fleeting memory
the wood pile will bring the camp fire
back to it's red and yellow reverie
once more

I finish my coffee
and take out my knife, carving
a notch in my walking stick
to mark my first day
without delay...

A forest canopy to lead the way.

Reviews

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

I could almost smell the great outdoors. There was excellent imagery throughout. The words were full of peace. When placed in comparison to your urban works that are heavily rooted in the hustle and bustle of life...this poem takes on an even greater meaning.

[John Jackson (El Juero)]

Nice, gentle, and reflective. The last line sums up an excellent journey. Thanks for sharing.

A beautiful telling.

[LadyCardiac]

Very peaceful, tranquil, vivid in imagery. It makes you feel as though you smell the coffee, hear the squirells as they scurry about. You took mother nature as yoru wife with this piece. You've truly captured her beauty.

[I Cast a Shadow]

This is a really vivid and gorgeous poem.

First off, my favorite part is that in the first stanza you start your coffee and then in the last stanza you finish your coffee. I really love this method of progression in repetition and coming full circle that directly pertains to the theme.

I also love your imagery of wildlife directly affecting natural surroundings. It's respectful and beautiful. This piece really hits home with me coming from the Northwest where we camp like this often. . . At least, I do. I feel like I'm there.

I love the concept of bartering squirrels. They do it indirectly. Nice.

[Victoria PoetryBunny]

Lovely picture and beautiful imagery both. Very nice, as if the reader was there themselves just by reading this. You caught the image and scenery so nicely. I enjoyed this a lot. Love this part at the end:
"and as I finish my coffee
I take out my knife and carve
a notch in my walking stick
to mark my first day"

[Coyote Poetry]

I like the poem. I went to Maine when I was young. It was great forest and beauty. I enjoyed this poem. If I could stand the hard winter and I would love to retire to the state of Maine. Thank you for a excellent poem.
Coyote

[Umar Hassan]

Even in the short time that I've been reading your work, I've noticed expansive growth. Keep up the good work of poetizing. I'm leaving this site but you're welcome to find me at uamrspoetry.com. I didn't develop a strong enough readership here to justify continuing publishing. Try and develop critical reviewers. Its difficult to be sure. Saying your poem is nice, moving, etcetera will not help you develop. Those are not reviews, they are sycophants and you don't need that.

[writing mojo]

Nice Robert Frost-esc poem...makes me want to hike with Walt Whitman, and discuss Walden...good stuff

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

"I will follow beauty's lead today", what an inspiring line, maybe the world would be better off if we all tried to follow beauty for a day, a well penned and almost classical piece that yearns to be read, well done