Solitude and muddy forest paths

I seek refuge in solitude,
to rediscover myself
on muddy forest paths.
breathing deep the damp air
standing firm and still
like the trees surrounding me.
a chipmunk skitters past
a mosquito lands on my phone
as I jot down these words.

My feet fall on
decomposing leaves
and exposed tree roots.
I walk through
unseen spider webs
that tickle me and
acknowledge me
as the first traveler
on this path today.

I seek solitude, but
I am not alone.
the persistent chatter of
bird voices that range
from adamant to meek.
a softball game from
a more civilized
area of this park
the crack of a bat
and the players calling
"you got this!"
"go deep!"
I gather those messages
for myself as well.

I approach a sign
the illustration of two figures
with backpacks and walking sticks
and a large arrow indicating a path.
not three feet beyond which
a large tree has fallen
and blocks the way.
I accept the invitation and
the challenge, climbing
over the tree trunk
and continuing on.

Intermittent wildflowers
dot the forest with bursts
of purple and yellow.
but today I revel in
the lifeblood of the forest -
the endless swaths
of green and brown.

Leaving the forested path
for park and pavement,
I spot someone's
backyard rooster ambling near
a parking space.  He has
flown the coop, perhaps
seeking solitude and refuge,
the same as me.

The drizzle begins just as
I arrive at my car.
my frizzy hair and
damp forehead are
evidence of the humidity
I have absorbed.
I have also absorbed
the abundance of the forest,
the strength of the trees
the songs of the birds,
the invigorating smells of
new life and fresh rain.
The refuge I sought,
I have found.

Refuge was sought and found at Kletzsch Park, one of many gems in the Milwaukee County Parks. 

*****

You might enjoy my other nature poems:

Transformation

found sound: noises natural & not

cell phone/nature poem for the first day of spring

I pretend I am someplace else.

in-between

Reading notes: catching up & planning for summer

My last blog post was three months ago (We're Different. We're the Same.)  I'm hoping to both write and read more now that I'm on summer break.  My last reading notes were posted on August 1, 2018.  That's almost a year's worth of reading to cover, so I'm just listing the books under categories with a few notes here and there.  Maybe you'll find something to add to your summer reading list:

the last four books I read

 Book obsessions and binge-reading

During my breaks from school, I tended toward old favorites and "comfort" reads.  I don't watch much television, so instead of "binge-watching," I binge-read.  Over winter break, I reread Jane Austen's novels.  Over spring break, during which I also happened to be very sick, I reread North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.  (And watched the BBC miniseries adaptation of North and South twice on Netflix.)  Continuing my obsessions with Austen and Gaskell, I read a number of retellings or fan fiction throughout the spring   

Northager Abbey, Persuasion, Emma, Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (rereads)

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (reread)

Unmarriageable (Pride and Prejudice in Pakistan) by Soniah Kamal

Pride by Ibi Zoboi  (a modern day Pride and Prejudice remix set in Brooklyn)

No Such Thing As Luck: A North and South Variation by Nicole Clarkson (fan fiction)

Fiction (with a few notes on the books I read most recently)

Once Upon a River by Diana Setterfield:  This story - part historical fiction, part fairy tale, part mystery - develops slowly and meanders, like the titular river.  I was drawn in by the fascinating characters, the historical elements, the river, and the focus on stories and storytelling.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller:  I've always been a fan of Greek mythology.  This is a beautifully-written retelling that focuses on the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. 

Solar Storms by Linda Hogan  (book club):  I appreciate book club for introducing me to books I may never otherwise read.  This is a lyrical coming-of-age story and a fascinating (and often heart-breaking) look at Native American culture and history

The Leavers by Lisa Ko  (book club):  Highly-recommended!  Identity, belonging, borders...topics at the forefront of current events.  This is a compelling and sometimes heartbreaking/sometimes hopeful story about an undocumented Chinese immigrant and her son.

Nothing to Lose: Stories by Kim Suhr:  Intriguing short stories with a local/regional flair.  Suhr is the Director of Red Oak Writing, a great resource for local writers.  You can read more about her and the book here.   

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel  (book club; reread)

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver  (book club; reread)

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini

A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Almost Maine by John Cariani

Youth & young adult literature

All of these are really good reads that deal with important topics.  I recommend them all, but my favorites from this list are the two novels by Sharon Draper. 

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds:  A novel in verse about gun violence; packs a powerful punch.

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas:  The second novel from the author of The Hate U Give.

Copper Sun by Sharon Draper

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Nonfiction

Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport:  A good read from Newport.  I wrote about his book Deep Work in a previous post.

Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology by Caroline Paul:  A very fun story with great illustrations!

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein:  I read this for a discussion group.  It's infuriating how entrenched racist government policies have been even in recent history.  A good companion to Evicted by Matthew Desmond.  See more about Evicted in this post.

Not Always Happy: An Unusual Parenting Journey by Kari Wagner-Peck:  A moving and inspiring memoir about adopting a child with Down syndrome and advocating for him within a frustrating education system.  Might be of particular interest to parents of children with special needs and educators.

*****

Member of my household:  "You can't just read all summer."
Me:  "Oh yes I can." (especially if I'm sitting outside in the sun)

current TBR pile with four more books on hold at the library