David Smalling Poet Lay

I Went Out Walking To the Woods Today

I went out walking to the woods today
I saw some canvas cities there
And many empty houses along the way
With yards overgrown or bare
And some building still in a heedless way
I met the paradox of man's dismay.

I went out walking to the woods today
To find the road not taken there
But following fire and cloud turned away
To  wipe my friend's uncomforted tear
And watch the jays and the magpies play
All around our descending disarray.

I went out walking to the woods today
To escape the cities cold despair
But from earth's predicament could not turn away
The sunlight withered gardens everywhere
And there the road not taken made of clay
God with us amidst sins decay.

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Jayne Eggins October 1, 2010 at 5:25 AM Congrates on having your poem featured this week well done David love Jayne

Thvia Shetley September 30, 2010 at 4:08 PM Of course a well deserved featured poem this week. You are truly a fantastic writer!

Skat A September 29, 2010 at 9:06 AM HI, DAVID, CoNGRATULATIoNS ON HAVING YOUR POEM FEATURED THIS WEEK*luv~SKAT

Poet Destroyer A September 29, 2010 at 8:53 AM hello! David, CONGRATULATIONS on your wonderful poem being featured this week. Enjoyed the selection of all the poetry on the front page. Have yourself a nice and wonderful day,..p.d."

Vince Suzadail Jr. September 28, 2010 at 6:02 PM Congrats David on your poem being featured this week. Vince

Carolyn Devonshire September 28, 2010 at 5:06 PM David, congratulations on having this terrific work featured this week! Love, Carolyn

Daver Austin September 27, 2010 at 7:00 AM Right on, David. Been in the arts - humanities - all my life. Lived in Cincinnati, Denver and visited New Yorik, Boston, Philly on tour. Glad to live in a smaller environment now. I'm an old cogger, but cannot help thinking that values are a way out of hand. Congrats on this selection. Dave

Carol Sunshine Brown September 27, 2010 at 6:37 AM Congratulations on your well deserved poetry being featured this week David. Love, Carol

Linda-Marie Sweetheart September 26, 2010 at 3:11 PM Congrats David on your featured poem this week on the Soup my friend... a nice one to share with us all today with luv....

Sidney Beck September 26, 2010 at 6:08 AM Frost's road seems to be your road by instinct......mine too......urban decadence sprawled everywhere is indeed a paradox......cities are at once the best and worst of man's achievements....... very clear and powerful picture ......thanks

Wilma Neels September 25, 2010 at 1:56 PM David your perspective is refreshing and I just love your ending. Hope your weekend is going great ;) Wilma

Gordon Hickman September 25, 2010 at 12:50 PM Thoroughly enjoyed this one David, it's a good thing there is an abiding force to rely on despite everything ? Many thanks also for your generous comments Gordon, (hicky).

Audrey Haick September 24, 2010 at 7:53 PM A sad state we're in, David, when houses stand empty while our brothers and sisters live in tent with their little ones... Peace, Audrey

Carolyn Devonshire September 24, 2010 at 2:14 PM Both you and this poem are in my favorites, my friend.

Sara Kendrick September 24, 2010 at 2:14 PM I enjoyed your work...The last line was like icing upon the cake..I was gladden at your awesome comments about my work..Thanks for stopping by...Sara

Carolyn Devonshire September 24, 2010 at 2:13 PM How sad to see people losing their homes and living in "canvas cities." You thought you could leave the world's troubles behind you by taking this walk, but man's misery was still present. We can't escape it no matter how hard we try, David. I hope you can get your work published one day -- I'll be the first to buy your book. Love, Carolyn

Doris Culverhouse September 24, 2010 at 1:07 PM do magpies have white on them?? we have crows here. Enjoyed reading your inspirational poem and well written about our current social/economic standard.