“The world that used to nurse us
now keeps shouting insane instructions.
That’s why I ran to the woods.”
~ Jim Harrison from Songs of Unreason
You wonder why I fled?
Well, what was left?
I ran to the woods,
thinking I could be Thoreau
just go–
you know?
Escape the insanity,
the inanity of the world
where insults are hurled
at the weak
and those who can’t speak
for themselves
when life is bleak.
Then I dreamt I had a dream–
well, it seemed
to make sense at the time,
full of poetry and rhymes
I don’t remember,
but wish I could.
So, I decided to leave the woods.
I hiked a new trail out of there—
ignoring the signs that warned, “Beware!”
Why did I flee?
I suppose I just needed to see
what is and was and what could be.
Ivan Shiskin, “Forest,” [Public Domain] Wikipedia Commons
This is for Day 22 of Jilly’s 28 Days of Unreason, poetry based on the poetry and work of Jim Harrison.
Excellent Merril thank you! Rhythmic and contemporary – a good reason to flee, it could’ve been me –
Thanks so much, Susan!
You went where I went but you did it so much more diplomatically 🙂
Thank you. I will go check yours out now. 🙂
🙂
I like that answer. Also “Then I dreamt I had a dream”, that was interesting!
Thank you. I really did wake up from a dream this morning, and in the dream I was dreaming I was writing a poem. I almost remember the verses, but then they were gone.
Oh wow! If only you could remember! I’ve woken up once or twice and written it all down, but it wasn’t quite as compelling in the AM. LOL!
Yeah, I never seem to get it written down. In this dream within a dream, I could actually see read the verses on the paper. It was very weird. I’m hoping it just goes into a folder in my brain, and maybe I’ll open it again sometime. Haha.
You are a very polite rebel…..and love your dream- full of poetry and rhyme. These 2 things makes me think of a sensitive soul. Lovely!
Thank you very much, Vivian.
“very polite rebel”–that probably does describe me. Hahaha. 🙂
😊
I’m pleased you didn’t lose yourself in the woods – you stay in the world telling us how it is
That is very kind. Thank you, Derrick.
you evidently have a forest of poems in your dreams Merril – maybe you should go back to the woods – either way, I always enjoy your skipping meter
Thanks so much, Laura!
“I dreamt I had a dream…” Love that. I hope your dream poems make it into the woods and then out into the world. 🙂
Thanks so much, Robin. It was funny having a dream about a dream of writing a poem. 🙂
This is truly pertinent! I am so glad you continue to weave current, nature and poetry together where I find solace and comfort in. Thank you for this, Merril.
It truly included for me, many visions of freedom and the difficulty it is sometimes to get through to a safe harbor (on the other side)… escaping the insanity, indeed.
Thank you, Robin, for your kind comments. I’m so glad this was meaningful to you!
current events and issues (oops, didn’t finish that thought!) 🙂
🙂
I enjoyed this, Merril. I read your Day #23 before I read Day #22, but your closing lines, here, took me right back to #23. Interesting how the mind works.
You are right, Ken, they do go together. Thank you!
🙂
The impulse to escape can be overwhelming…but it follows us, doesn’t it? Your words are so incisive these days. (K)
Thank you so much, Kerfe.