The Forest
While travelling at high speed
My mind encountered an exit
A gateway unlike others
A quiet road into the woods.
The track was there between the ferns,
Brambles for chokers
Around its neck
The ruts worn deep into its face,
Scars of inner turmoil, of silent battle
Among the watchers.
I wanted to stop,
To explore the stories that
Lay beneath that green mantle,
To feel the tepid warmth of the lingering sun
Cascade from leaf to leaf.
There the woodsman.
His mule team, his cross cut saw.
The smell of sap and sawdust in the air.
The glint of tarnished steel.
The knowledge of cutting deep, of conquering.
His shadow beckoned me.
But the highway seemed so logical
So straight in its purpose.
It compelled me not to pause
Or reconsider my chosen route.
The woodsman waited patiently
While I passed by.
For another who would have the heart
To venture into the forest.
Curiosity killed the cat satisfaction brought it back. Curiosity is one of our biggest distractions. Which usually lead in disaster. Wisdom is the best teacher. Wisdom reminds us of the demise of others, sometimes we need to remind ourselves of Sodom and Gomorrah and not look back,… Nor to the left or to the right oh, many times I just need to stay where I am and focus on the Lord. And the peace in his presence, Ministry is a very difficult job. Doing the Lord’s work. Patience and fortitude to push forward only after hearing his voice. This world is a tricky place pain. The people here know how to do for themselves very well on their Onan would love to have us leave the Lord as well. Now the serpent was more cunning than any other creature that was. We must not be deceived…. There are very many wonderful yet even beautiful statements in this what does penmanship that is written. What I see is traveling at high speed is fouling our own devices, which can quickly lead to confusion and disaster. But the quiet way in the woods. The Woodsman seems to be there to guide us if we choose to go to the quieter route, yet is this the proper way we always need to consider the change in our Direction. Like a fork in the road. No matter what either direction looks like oh, it is a change of the course of Our Lives. Need wisdom from the Lord.
Thank you Skip for this wonderful poem. I remembered that I grew up across a huge forest. I always loved it there. That was my place to slow down, to see G-d in nature, the animals, the brooks, the dense forest. Man, I spend a lot of time in there, speaking to Father, like he was right next to me.I miss that.Here the forests, at least where we live are puny, and to get off the fast track takes so much energy.
Thanks for this insightful poem.
Our view of the woods is different from His view.
We see the forest and all that is within it from our
uniquely limited self-perspective at ground level.
He views it from above.
His invitation to us is to consider whether we would
like to entertain seeing things from His perspective.
It is possible.
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with
him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…” It happens
when we willingly give up our uniquely limited right to our self.
Being crucified with Christ as the scriptures put it.
Seems severe. And it is.
But how wonderfully different everything is when He shares
His mind with us as we unshackle ourselves from ourselves.
Powerful message. Once again, God is so able to get a message across to us, if we are willing to listen. Isaiah 1:19 says, “if you are willing and obedient you will eat the good of the land“. Now we know as we grow in God that this doesn’t always look like it sounds. Sometimes we want steak instead of manna! Our father knows what we “need “before we ask Him. It’s so easy to retreat ….
This one is very real for me Skip. I live in the woods. My wife and I (by the grace of God ) own a tree farm. I grew up in the woods. I guess in a way I’m still doing that and I’m 67 years old. These days if I need to clear my head I need but look out the window.
I have to admit I take it for granted. I don’t think I could live anywhere else. There’s something new everyday to see, to smell, taste, touch and hear. When I leave I take the back roads that wind through the boonies so I get to look at more woods. There’s a lot of peace here, and blessings and a lot to talk about. I don’t deserve it.
Thanks
I read this poem through a few times wondering to myself “what on earth is this about.” Then it occurred to me that it wasn’t about a forest at all but a deep introspection and reflection of our inner being. Compelling but dark and discomforting.
For me, the woodsman’s crosscut saw and the team of mules to drag out the felled logs don’t engender comfort.
But where the trees are felled, the light no longer cascades through the leaves but floods the forest floor allowing for something new and fresh to grow. Maybe the forest can become a garden.
Trouble is this all takes time and as my wife says I’m busy being busy.
People draw different things from poetry just like the scriptures but that’s my take.