Steven Young Poet Free verse

Who Will Save Your Soul

Didn't walk five miles per hour this morning
Barely three
For little more than two
Slow enough to feel the sun
Touch me 
Through tall tree shadows
Stretched over the trail
Slow enough to feel
Loved and protected
So, why doesn't everyone
Old man on a Harley
At the trail crossing
Too tough to smile, good day 
Like I did, when I stopped for him
Motorcycles, guns and trucks
Don't compensate
For what it takes to be a man
And that's what she was trying to say
About the masculine energy
Being all she felt 
I stop to watch a woodpecker
Banging his head against an ancient tree
Sigh
I see Jewel singing at Woodstock 1999
"Who will save your soul
If you won't..."
And that's just it
You won't
I ponder what heals
Just being here 
In the North Country
So easy
You don't even have to water your lawn
And the Black River is big and loud
But gentle as a dove
At the end of the path 
Leading down to its shore
Beach gravel crunches 
It spreads wide and runs still here
Across the water a lone fisherman 
In a yellow boat
I'd like to be him
Always found comfort here
If I am here
Not just passing through
As I most often do
I might need a hit of acid
Once in a blue moon 
To rewire my brain
Around the guilt, loss, and shame
But listening to rivers, trees, birds  and sunshine
Usually heals whatever hurts
Why not everyone
We can only wish
She was right about the energy
We can all be in tune
If we just--will
There are trails where I live
That soothe the soul
Lost and forgotten
Guess I had to come here
To find them
Sigh

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Sally Eslinger November 19, 2022 at 8:11 PM Steven, here you took me walking along on that trail, but it wasn’t for two miles…I think it rested, climbed a tall tree at Woodstock, listening to Janis, while hungry but loved, in the mud…you hardly sound old, and you don’t write old either. Your poetry journey= discoveries. sally Steven Young November 20, 2022 at 8:50 PM Sally, you got me at "Janis, while hungry, but loved, in the mud" To hear her would feel like heaven even were I starving. Thank you again!

Jenna Logan July 26, 2022 at 9:20 AM Steven, I have to say that your poetry is being overlooked by many, despite the number of views you receive, no one leaves a comment. Do they not comprehend what thoughts you are conveying? Honestly, in some lines neither do I, but I think I feel a depth of sorrow. Not for yourself, but for others, and the visions you have of others. I'll read more. Steven Young July 27, 2022 at 11:20 PM Jenna, my visions for everyone, yeah, I'm Aquarious, the great humanitarian--I care. As far as not comprehending the thoughts I convey--I'm like a two year old pointing fingers at the moon. I see it, feel it, and try to express it. It's not always crystal clear--I'm just trying to make meaning. As far as being overlooked, I don't feel that at all. Not after you just left the deepest, most insightful comment I've ever received. Thank you, Jenna!