Notes About The Poem

Originally published: 8th May 2020

Image: Stock Image from Pixabay

This poem was placed 1st in the "A Brian Strand Rhyme" contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 8th September 2021)


Woodland Walks

the footpaths that stretched
out of sight until never

the parched ground and grasses
when miles seemed forever

wild garlic, the nettles
the heat and the heather

the flies that would zizzzz
past our ears to wherever

the bees in the foxgloves
collecting their treasure

the midges that danced
in a group all together

the butterflies that zigged
and then zagged for good measure

the dandelions drifting
on the air at life's leisure

those long lost hot summers
full of fun love and pleasure

 - I remember those walks

and the woods 

and that weather.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Ashley Avatar
January 1, 2024 at 9:26 AM
Dear Gary, your vibrant rhymes and vivid imagery brings my imagination to experience the "woodland walks" in a beautiful way. A sensory and rhythmic delight! Congratulations for your excellent win in Brian's contest. Warmest wishes for a happy new year, my friend.. ~Susan
Radice Avatar
January 1, 2024 at 11:28 AM
Thank you Susan for your visit, read and lovely comments. They are very much appreciated. All the very best to you and your family for 2024. Cheers - Gary
Agustin Avatar
December 31, 2023 at 11:42 PM
Congrats. Thanks for sharing this. Joyous New year to you and your family. God bless you.
Radice Avatar
January 1, 2024 at 8:56 AM
Thank you Beata. Happy New Year, too, to you and your family. Cheers - Gary
One Avatar
December 31, 2023 at 1:17 PM
Congratulations on your placement in the contest..
Radice Avatar
December 31, 2023 at 9:54 PM
Many thanks S O. Hope you have a great 2024. Cheers - Gary
Goldsmith Avatar
March 4, 2022 at 12:30 PM
Congratulations on your win. A wonderful walk and write in the woods. Sounds like a peaceful place. Have a blessed day/weekend...................
Radice Avatar
March 5, 2022 at 1:25 AM
Thank you Paula. It was a really peaceful place. Cheers - Gary
Legros Kelley Avatar
March 2, 2022 at 2:03 PM
Congratulations Gary on the high placing win of your beautiful poem! <3 Thank you for entering the contest, have a blessed day! :)
Radice Avatar
March 3, 2022 at 12:36 AM
Thanks so much BJ. I enjoyed the contest. Cheers - Gary
Merryman Avatar
August 11, 2021 at 3:23 PM
Excellent nature images and a delight to read! Congrats on your win, Gary! Blessings, Kim M
Radice Avatar
August 12, 2021 at 12:46 AM
Thank you Kim for your lovely comments. Cheers - Gary
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 9, 2021 at 2:21 PM
What can I say Gary, simply class act, nature stripped back, to its simplest form, your so good at making it look effortless, the midges line is so perfectly described, I hate the things, but somehow you leave me longing to see them, congratulations cheers David
Radice Avatar
February 9, 2021 at 11:28 PM
Thank you David. I try to make my poems instantly accessible and 'simple to read' so it is really lovely to read your comments. I like your comment 'stripped back' ..yes!! I do really like that description and to write what I see no matter how small..talking of which: the midges. A personal touch was me calling them midgies..it's how I've always pronounced the tiny blighters. :) Cheers - Gary
Kendrick Avatar
May 28, 2020 at 4:41 PM
Ahh!! Enjoyed reading your work. What is nettle over there? Over here it is a plant that stings if touched and it is very painful and itchy. Sara
Radice Avatar
May 29, 2020 at 3:49 AM
Hi Sara! Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. A nettle is, over here, what it is where you are: as you say a stinging plant. ...but they do make great wine :)
Laurie Avatar
May 8, 2020 at 8:33 PM
G'day Gary … being able to observe and understand nature when bushwalking is almost magical. I did enjoy your poem Gary - Lindsay
Radice Avatar
May 9, 2020 at 3:57 AM
Hi Lindsay. Thanks for your comments from Down Under. I really appreciate them and I'm glad you enjoyed reading the poem. Cheers! Gary
Watt Avatar
May 8, 2020 at 6:47 PM
Enjoyed reading this today, Gary. I liked the continuity of your rhymes. Also, the flow has a very easygoing gait to it; like a nice walk in the woods would have. Loved all your detailed imagery, then the way you broke up the. Last three lines. Was very clever. Congratulations on your win ~ John
Radice Avatar
May 9, 2020 at 4:02 AM
Hi John. Thank you for stopping by and reading. It's one of those poems that wrote itself really and one that should be read slowly as that reflects how we 'trudged that day in the heat. :) I really appreciate your comments. Cheers! Gary.
Zahid Avatar
May 8, 2020 at 11:20 AM
This is so beautiful... That walk in the wood.. I would love to take that... The imagery you created is superb
Radice Avatar
May 8, 2020 at 11:38 AM
Thank you so much Paghunda for your lovely comments. The poem was, in the main, inspired by a walk my wife and I took along a track towards 'Greenway' (Agatha Christie's holiday home) in Devon, England several years ago on what must have been the hottest day of the year. There are also memories of walks taken as a child in the poem when a mile 'seemed forever' :) Cheers Gary
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