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The Woods Have Waited Anxiously
The woods have waited anxiously for me to reappear.
I left them when the snow piled high in fall of late last year.
The tree trunks have another ring while branches reach for air.
What changes have transpired since last fall when I trod there?
The brook from which I took a drink is flowing peacefully.
The fearful frogs I often watch are hopping gracefully.
I take a seat to rest awhile on outcropped stony perch
To see the sights and sense the sounds as if I were in church.
I sit in silent solitude and watch the woods revive.
The nests the birds in winter left, again they are alive.
The cheeping of the chickadee, the raucousness of raven,
Announce arrival of their chicks endearingly engraven.
The woodland petals search for sunrays everywhere I turn
And then I spy a dragonfly upon a fawning fern.
A stirring in the underbrush—could it be fox or rabbit?
Some silly squirrels sit on their tush in trees that they inhabit.
Thus, Nature nimbly nurtures changes spread throughout my springs.
I must return to woodland wonders that the summer brings.
I set off on my path again and thank the leafing trees.
As if to wave farewell to me, I feel a gentle breeze.
.
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LTC Roy E. Peterson, US Army Military Intelligence and Russian Foreign Area Officer (Retired) has published more than 5,000 poems in 78 of his 101 books. He has been an Army Attaché in Moscow, Commander of INF Portal Monitoring in Votkinsk, first US Foreign Commercial Officer in Vladivostok, Russia and Regional Manager in the Russian Far East for IBM. He holds a BA, Hardin-Simmons University (Political Science); MA, University of Arizona (Political Science); MA, University of Southern California (Int. Relations) and MBA University of Phoenix. He taught at the University of Arizona, Western New Mexico University, University of Maryland, Travel University and the University of Phoenix.
A beautiful poem to wake up to, Roy. Great meter, rhyme, and imagery. Thanks for the read. Long may you enjoy your woods!
Thank you, Russel. I have always loved the woods.
Good, Roy. The right attitude. I’m such a grouser–I must feel I deserve spring just the way I want it. If there are clouds, rain, or low temps, I start gnashing my teeth with pen in hand. Thanks for the pick-me-up.
So glad you liked it.
Thanks, Roy – what a lovely bunch of mind-soothing visions you’ve captured here, sweet to wake up to – (8 a.m. here in Iowa). Another wonderful piece –
Thank you, Mark, for the kind comments. My grandmother came from Carroll, Iowa.
Roy; Enjoyed this poem immensely. With everything going on in the world I found it comforting. Its sense of renewed life and the wonders of nature is a breath of fresh air.
Thank you, so much, Phil. Nature can be calming.
I made the mistake of glancing at some headlines this morning. This poem helped calm things down afterward. I really liked the lines about the stony perch being likened to a church. Great work!
I am glad you mentioned that line of the poem. One of my favorites.
…sweet…flows beautifully…
Thank you!
Thank you for this, Peg.
A perfect jewel of a poem. Each of its many facets sparkle. Thank you for this splendid poem!
Those are special comments. Thank you for sharing.
I especially enjoy “raucousness of raven” to rhyme with “engraven”; also, “fawning fern”. If I’m not mistaken, I believe that the Japanese refer to walking in the woods as “forest bathing”. You’ve now inspired me to go out for a walk. I may not be in the woods, but they surround me.
Prescious comments, Cheryl. You are blessed to be surrounded by woods!
This is a superb poem, Roy, which gave me great joy. I was charmed by the many woodsy images and I grinned at the image of silly squirrels “sitting on their tush” — a splendid internal rhyme with “underbrush” in the prior line. Well done!
Thank you, Brian, for the kind comments. You are one of those rare readers who discovers hidden intricacies.
It’s such a gem x my head is full of the pictures x thank you
I appreciate the kind words, Sue. Thank you.
A beautiful poem. Thank you!
Thank you for that, David!
I’ve always loved the woods, and the grove as well. Thanks for reminding me of the woods.
That is a precious insight you shared, Sally! Thank you.
Some lovely, nostalgic imagery.
Thanks for the read.
Thank you, Paul.
I just love it. (Woodland walks often give me a poem!) You bring out in a beautiful way the magical qualities of the woods.
Perhaps the world be a better place if more people took walks in woods.
Bless you and thank you, Gigi, for the wonderful thoughts.
Apart from the scenic imagery, Mr. Peterson, the musicality of your piece is what steals the heart. From what you’ve described, the place appears to be peaceful and the perfect spot to sit and reconnect with nature. Is this place located directly by your home?
Thank you. Unfortunately, these woods are not near my home, but I have lived in and near woods in many places over the years. In writing this poem I am reminded of them.
“Tree trunks with another ring” is an invisible image that must be there, but cannot be seen. It indicates the slight but hardly measurable growth since last year. The tangible but unseen breeze concluding the poem is another subtle thing with which you suggest the many scarcely observable aspects of the woods. These help give a mysterious sense of wonder to your poem, Roy, corresponding to the scene’s “anxious waiting” for you as observer. Nice interplay of nature and spirit!
Margaret, you have captured the synergy of the spirit with the wonders of nature as I intended. You have a beautiful soul and amazing analytical skills to delve into the mind of the poet.
Lovely work, Roy, very lovely – thanks!
Thank you, James! That is very special coming from one so accomplished.
What an amazing poem with its easy rhythm, satisfying rhymes, and subtle alliterations. The woods come alive with all these exquisite details. I’m drawn right in and can see it clearly. Yes, the woods are like a cathedral. I like the personification of the woods “waiting anxiously” and the “petals search.” Thanks for sharing this fine work!
I deeply appreciate your kind comments, Casey, and feel you have seen the woods through my eyes.
You get it, Roy: Every thicket a chapel, every forest a cathedral.
Beautiful words, C.B. Thank you for sharing your special comments.
Lovely poem, lovely title, lovely picture.
Thanks for a nostalgic changing of seasons piece, Roy
Thank you so much, Paul, for sharing those visions.
A most enjoyable morning read. Beautifully descriptive. Thank you Roy.