That Path

We've been down that path before;
Walked upon those polished stones;
Stepped upon the fallen leaves,
Left them crushed like brittle bones.

Sometimes it was beautiful,
From a distance, draped in green.
At other times, a winter blight
Made of it a bitter scene.

Sometimes the sun would touch your face.
That was when I loved your smile
And we would sometimes dance out there.
We'd be happy for a while.

Then, just as quickly, time would change
And you would walk away from me.
A winter wind and endless tears
Would come to keep me company.

Now the time has come, at last,
For me to walk that path alone
Even though I'm feeling old
And I'm weary to the bone.

© 2004 Pam H. Murray
aka rhymetimeblue

My Path In Life

There is a path within each soul
That leads towards an inner goal;
A leafy haven from its crest
That human dignity must test.

The path is built on polished stone
And we must walk each mile alone.
It's up to us, if there will be
A place of rest, a shady tree,

Or slippery cliff where we must fall
When no one waits to hear our call.
It's up to us to wear a smile
And light the way along each mile

Or live in hate and misery,
A shadow on reality.
I found my path. I chose it well;
Each stone, each turn, each leaf that fell.

Each friend I met along the way
Left something, too; their memories play
Along surrounding flower beds
Like intertwining golden threads.

© 2004 Pam H. Murray
aka rhymetimeblue

The Natural Arch

This natural arch frames path and trees.
I walk beneath, caressed with breeze.
Resplendent colors meet the sky
To blend with leaf and fill my eyes.

There is a peace in nature's arms
That fills our lives with all her charms.
When worldly cares make our lives bare,
Fill sight and sound with her sweet air.

So let us walk her leafy ways,
Forever in our hearts these days
This beauty of her trees will be
The finest things we'll ever see.

Yvonne Sparkes

Greet Her Beauty with a Smile

Come walk beneath her leafy arch

And all you worldly cares depart.
A new world offers you this morn
Her colors with a natural form.
Come take my hand, for peace does call,
Midst colors of a glorious fall.
So put your cares on hold awhile
And greet her beauty with a smile.

Yvonne Sparkes

In The Realm of The Watchman Trees
Sonnet 176

Along a path of solitude I tread,
flanked on either side by watchman trees,
a lush green canopy above my head,
in foliage the flutter of cerise. . . .
I gasp to see two cardinals appear!
Then farther on, I spot a white-tailed doe.
She calmly meets my gaze and shows no fear.
I can't imagine in this place a foe.
The trees, unwounded, stand with dignity.
And whether skies be bright or overcast,
they guard this realm, and one will shelter me.
I kick off shoes and stop for a repast.
Now barefoot and relaxed, I write this poem
in quietude of Mother Nature's home.

Andrea Dietrich/May 9, 2004

Path of Love

Walking up the path of love
Sheltered by the trees above
Blocking out the bright sun
Whose beams, peek in for fun
Showing a nice, positive day
As hand in hand we go our way
Oh! the feeling in shaded air
With lady, by my side so fair
Cooled by shade in day Breeze
Warmed by her nice pleasantries
Grass so blue along path grows
Plus greenery & blossom rainbows
Birds, bees & even butterflies
Show forth love, action & eyes
Am I setup by this scenic cast?
Or am I really in love at last?

Yancy Lee Dalton
© May 2004

Grand Junction, CO

Hazy Resolution

I wander down this shaded lane
worlds of mystery as my domain
a trail of golden shuffling leaves
a treasure my heart receives
while the sun plays peek-a-boo
frolicking in a quizzical debut
with shadows, trees and me
partners dancing in ecstatic glee
drinking life in, totally involved
life's questions, meaning resolved

Diana Dalton
18 May 2004

Grand Junction, CO

Coming Home

On this peaceful trail
beneath the trees
I'm serenaded by birdsong
and caressed by breeze

The smell of autumn
permeates the air
It's rich, vibrant colours
greet me everywhere

In this tranquil place
I feel at home
The lush, wild growth
The rich mountain loam

All reach out to me
with their special charms
As nature wraps me
in her loving arms

© Andrea Da Costa
May 2004

Where Lilacs Grow

Down this green and leafy path
the lilacs grow,
Nature blends her merry moods
with many songs,
Sunbeams rainbows forest dew
where it belongs.
Leaves cascade in swirls of gold
when north winds blow.
Down this green and leafy path
where lilacs grow.

© Sally Ann Roberts

Planning Spring

Along the path of leaf and stone
The fairy folk and I
Go marching forth as day descends
Beneath the trees on high.

We walk along the dappled trail
Discussing what we'll do
To give the earth a welcoming
When Spring comes into view.

They wonder if the newborn leaves
Should be that shade of green.
Perhaps a bit of silver edge
Would help enhance the scene.

And flowers; are the colors right
Or should there be a change?
Would hanging bluebells from the trees
Be just a bit too strange?

Would early berries be as sweet
As those in summertime?
Or should they leave things as they are
But have the bluebells chime?

The sun rolls on and soon its time
To put our thoughts away.
We'll either leave things as they are
Or talk another day.

© 2004 Pam H. Murray
aka rhymetimeblue

ENDURANCE TRIAL

The trail stretches before me,

obscured, mushy underfoot,

a mulch of leaves,

composted muck.

Obstacles abound;

puddles, ruts and fallen trees,

tangled undergrowth

all test my ingrown fears.

As the world makes its steady way

towards decay and hopelessness;

I have but my faltering will

and here, I have my path.

Retiring hurt is not an option

in any trial of wills :

even admitting to weakness

equates to apathy and death.

Head down, squelch on

through greenish gloom

enveloping all;

head up, I think I see the sun .....

Alan McAlpine Douglas

© D P Thomas 2004 

Sweet forest flora
I celebrate you....
Breathing in your fresh air
As I wander down this path
In quiet solitude
Your natural beauty
Inspires my mind
Enlightens my soul and
Creates happiness in my day
To wrap my heart in reverie.

Connie Marcum Wong

Trail To Tomorrow

This path that runs ahead of me,
Seems, somehow, steeped in mystery.
Perhaps because the shadows sway
From trees that lean across the way.
Or, maybe, because little light
Illuminates this somber sight.
My feet upon the trail are slow.
I look ahead and wish to know
Just what might lie beyond each bend.
And should I follow to the end,
Will I be pleased with what I see?
Does disappointment wait for me?
Now as I walk along, it's clear,
There is a symbolism here,
For like the path of life, I tread,
Not knowing what may lie ahead!

Betty Lou Hebert

Autumn Trails

soft crunch
under my boots
as I hike autumn trails -
sun streams through gaps in canopies
of leaves

Deborah P Kolodji