Under open skies my eyes
may wander, trek
from cairn to cairn,
into valleys down below,
over hills or into path-less land
making mind-maps
about the hurdles
(rivers, swamps or rocks).
this day decides to offer
so when I break from camp
my body is willing, groomed
and when finally
it is time to rest
i find a place to pitch
my tent
with a gratifying ache
in legs and feet,
a proper legacy of what
my mind had already declared.
I’m not saying that this is
a walk in the park,
but I was prepared
I knew the limits to my day
and am ready for the next.
What if life could be this simple?
What if challenges weren’t limitless?
What if there were shortcuts,
paths to follow, bridges,
maps and cairns?
What if pains were
as benevolent as these?
Or are these matters
simply just available to some —
but maybe less for me,
or should I let walking be my life?
Today Lilian is hosting the Poetics at dVerse, and the topic is to write about walking and since hiking is a passion of mine I decided to incorporate this into my writing. The picture was takin on our summer hike of 450 km over Scandinavian Mountains.
September 5, 2023
Björn Rudbergs writings 
LOVE that third stanza! Yes, I followed you on your grand walk….amazing photos and amazing journaling of the trip.
This prompt was written with you in mind, Björn! I love the phrase ‘trek
from cairn to cairn’ as we have them in parts of the UK too, and the thought of ‘making mind-maps’ to find the way into pathless lands. I envisage a rugged landscape with many hurdles.
Still those hurdles are just small matters really.
Thank you, it was an amazing walk and we hope to redo it next summer (in the opposite direction)
I absolutely love, love this Bjorn! The poem in its entirety draws the reader in and allows us to walk with the Poet and contemplate alongside him. Exquisitely done ❤️❤️
Thank you,… we do love to walk…
Well that is quite a magnificent trek. I think walking is good for the soul. Maybe the rugged terrain and the challenges are what shape us.
I think key to humanity is to make our treks through the wilderness
You are amazing! 450 km is a lot of walking! It is wonderful that you are in that great shape. Keep on walking! Reminds me of James Taylor’s song walking man.
Last year we walked 1320 km, but this time we only had 4 weeks vacation.
Wow!
Love, love this Bjorn, I’m walking with you ❤️
This stirs a sense of longing in me to get away from it all and disappear into nature. What a wonderful life walking would be.
Thanks for the walk: (mountains cairns etc.) and the craft of metaphor.
Lovely.
Happy Tuesday
Much🖤love
Love this walk, and I love the gratifying ache after a long walk. Walking and poetry go so well together, good for the mind, the soul and the body. Lovely poem.
Lovely use of alliteration and half-rhymes.
Yes. A walking meditation.
I especially like the “making mind-maps” Björn and I wonder if you know this walking Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGm2l6xrNmo
Mind and body working in harmony together, the body aches and the mind words it for others in poetry
Walking is a great way to enjoy life.
If only life was like that! Lovely poem.