I’m old…
I can tell you this
women need wilderness
…especially when they’re young
for in wilderness they learn
not to trust old maps;
and they swim in icy streams
if bridges are washed down
in wilderness…
they hear honest sounds,
and know when nestlings
rasp for raw sustaining flesh
they hear healthiness…
not the noise of whining
and on the day they die
women raised in wilderness
sing to themselves…remembered
songs to float with them from
this world to the next
Bonnie Marshall
Artwork Balthazar Denner
A very lovely ending!
I’m grateful you think so, Simon.
Bonni, this poem speaks to my heart and my soul, and especially on this day, to my injured common sense. I guess I have no common sense, but I know how to sing. Thank you for thoughts to carry me forward.
Thank you very much, Sharon. Certainly, I am glad you found this in it.
I love this one Bonnie. Very beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Hello ! Thank you very much. Very. Smiles…
Reblogged this on lampmagician.
Bonnie, this is really beautiful and inspiring. A reminder to work some wilderness into my routine! Blessings.
Thank you Stacy…very much. You speak eloquently about a balanced life. Smiles…
you SPEAK OUT LOUD when you speak about wilderness and women, I remember some earlier work you did on this theme which likewise ‘folded’ me in its embraces, and I am not woman, and yet my experience suggests it is …
I hope you are well, Bonnie
Seem to be in a gathering phase I believe you rightly intuit, Mark. Hope you know I highly esteem your fine poetry…and your comments. Smiles…
Beauty.
Pleased you think it so. Smiles…
This one..this one gets taped up on the refrigerator. To keep it close…
Thank you, Jana…strong woman. Smiles…
Hi Bonnie,
I’m still loving this poem, one of my favourite…
Thank you!
Alex
Smile…
Excellent….and so true.
Thank you, Nancy. Since you are a strong woman, you would understand. Smiles…
bonnie, you captured me right away with “for in wilderness they learn/ not to trust old maps.” so much wisdom there. i came away from the poem thinking of my mother, who had the strength to find her own way in the world. thanks for that.
Thinking…she would be happy to know you remember her as such. Smiles…
I LOVE this poem. Wow. Just wonderful. I think I need to carry it with me a while.
So good to know… and I value your providing such a thoughtful comment. Smiles…