Deep In The Woods

I took a walk in the woods & came out taller than the trees. - Thoreau

meet me deep

deep in the woods of quietude

deep where yesterday forgets and today never regrets

even deeper still where there is no time but eternity

where no human foot has ever tread

where trees of wisdom caress the sky with lotioned limbs

so old that they groan as they bend in the breeze

where a crystal clear brook babbles like an infant in a crib

where it's so quiet that you can hear god sigh

and rocks still bear his handprints from rolling them

where pine needless are threaded with innocence as they sew tomorrow forever

where truth and faith have dominion over a lie

where souls never die

as spent leaves rattle around untouched on earth's virgin floor

where there's no need for heaven's door

where "coulds" morph into "shoulds"

and creation has all of the goods

deep

deep

deep

deep in the woods

Author's Note

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." - Thoreau

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

As I interpret this one, the titular woods are not a literal forest, but a state of mind. Good use of imagery portrays them as a space beyond the struggles of worldly life, where "there is no time but eternity," and where "it is so quiet you can hear god sigh." It is a wondrous place, but access is not all that easy, for this space is deep x 3. My guess is you have to place getting there above all else.

[Pete]

indeed, one must make a concerted effort to arrive there. eden revisited perhaps in the company of god? thanks for sharing j. the b. ... :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the woods, such a wonderful place...a hush, then the birds, the rustling...the tree of knowledge...
answers are there, answers are there.
deep, deep, deep...in the woods.
really good write...i like the in=line rhyme....
always a joy to read your work, Pete,
j.

[Pete]

thanks j. i am always struck by the roar of the silence when deep in the woods. there is an inexplicable presence there like nothing else away from the clamor of man ... :)

[light and ashes]

You've got really great imagery here.
There are some things I would change, though.
I would use the word groan, not moan..
I would format it a little differently..
I would put the words closer to eachother at the beginning..
it would it less confusing on the eyes and the brain to read..
Also, last but not least, I would change "god" to "God."
I know a lot of people dont see a difference, but there is one....
Let me explain, in the Bible, "gods" was used for Pagan deities and the gods that the Ammorites worshiped.
"God," was used by the Hebrews, to acknowledge the one true god, and the god that they believed in and put their faith in.
It was always used this way. Whether they were using it plural or singular. Whether they were refering to the "gods" of the Ammorites or of a "god" of the Ammorites.
I am not trying to come off as more righteous than you or self righteous. I just thought you should be informed,
but overall, I would say this is very good and like the thought behind it very much.
Sorry, if I offend. It was not my intent.

[Pete]

no offense taken at all. i appreciate the constructive criticism. i agree with groan vs moan and will change it. as for god, i totally agree that it should be capitalized but i just happen to write in all lowercase all the time because when i write thoughts come very quickly and it saves time (just too lazy to go back and capitalize and punctuate properly) - that is the only reason why it is not but as you say, it should be capitalized. thanks so much for sharing thoughts. thank you ... :)

[Pete]

i totally agree that there is no other god but God - the one true god ... :)

[light and ashes]

I totally understand that. You are welcome.

[willweb]

The entire poem is beautiful but this one line is simply amazing, "where pine needless are threaded with innocence as they sew tomorrow forever" Nice little poetic stroll here Pete.

[Pete]

thanks for sharing ww. appreciated ... :)

[Cherrie Palmer]

The strum of white noise falls away with this journey. Very enjoyable read.

[Pete]

exactly! thank you cherrie ... :)