I wake a full hour early
for the rare gift
of a walk in the woods
with my father.
He is a silent giant
among misty ghost gums.
I tell him, Watch!
See how fast I can run.
He doesn’t yell when I trip
and fall, but lifts me
with unfamiliar,
calloused hands.
At the end of the trail
I study my grazes—jagged
and bloody. He tells me
he’s leaving my mum.
On the walk home
I gaze at the gum trees
and fragmented clouds, thinking
they should look different somehow.
Ryan Stone
first published at Poetry Nook, 1st place Week 185
Like a walk through the trees of life. And I presume your glorious photo’s a track in the Dandenong’s
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G’day, Ivor. You’re spot on – Outlook Track. Thanks so much for dropping by, I hope you’ve been well.
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Thank you Ryan, I’m well enough, and it’s always a pleasure to read your poems.
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That’s good to hear, mate. They are few and far between lately, but I appreciate your kind words.
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The quality is still excellent.
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Poignant and beautiful, Ryan. And a perfect photograph to set the mood.
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Thank you, Sarah. Good morning 🙂
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It IS a good morning. Mind if I reblog??
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So good to hear. Mind?! Flattered 🙂
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Reblogged this on Sarah Russell Poetry and commented:
A poignant poem this morning from my friend Ryan Stone, along with a spectacular photo of a walk in the Dandenong’s.
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Thanks so much 🙂
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Simple words that convey such complex emotions.. wonderful read, Ryan. Loved it.
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Thanks, Rajani. I hope you’re well 🙂
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All good Ryan… as well as it can be now that the monsoon has arrived and the muse has departed 🙂
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Fingers crossed she returns for you, my friend. I know exactly how much of a slippery minx she can be…
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Long time, Ryan. Hope you are well. Good to see you
Your ancient friend
Nandita 😀
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Hey stranger! How are you?
Life is wonderful, thank you.
So nice of you to drop by 🙂
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Oh I never really strayed..lol. love and hugs, dear friend.
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🙂
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So good to read your words again Ryan. Poignant poem that rugged at the strings and a lovely photo.
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Hiya, Miriam. Thanks for your lovely feedback. So nice to read. I hope you’re happy and well 🙂
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I am, thanks Ryan. Life is busy but good. Have a great week. 🙂
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Thanks! You too 🙂
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Hi Ryan! I was just thinking about you! Thinking I hadn’t seen a post from you in a while, not that I blame you at all, life gets busy. And I haven’t been good at posting as much either. I think that in this poem, the boy sees the fog and the mystery of the woods around him the “ghost gums” as something magical. Even his father is seen as someonecmagical a “giant” and the boy can run around in the woods and get hurt and see his father as someone gentle and caring. But then he says he’s leaving the boy’s “mum” and the magical forest, the magic of his father the gentle giant, is no longer. The woods may still seem magic and fun, but they are t any longer. The boy thinks they should appear frightened perhaps, and dark and scary, like the words his father just said. Perhaps his father is no longer a giant he can trust, but someone who has shown cruelty in not loving the boy’s mum and staying with her. Wonderful to read your work 🙂
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Hiya, Mandi. Yes, it’s been awhile. So nice to see you 😉
Thanks for taking so much time with your reading and analysis – I’m flattered. You picked up on so many things that I was hoping to convey. It gives me hope that I’m not a total flop!
I hope you’re well my friend. Thank you 🙂
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You’re most welcome 🙂 🌺
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🙂
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this is so beautifully said, ryan. at that moment, the boy’s life changed forever and he was expecting the entire world around him to show some change as well. wonderful and good to see you and your words –
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Hey there, Beth. A perfect reading, thank you. I’m so glad that’s what you were able to take from it. Thank you for reading. I hope your world is bright 🙂
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S
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Succinct but poignantly beautiful. I hope you’re okay, Ryan.
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Thank you, Nat. Yes, life is really good thanks. How are you?
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Ah, brilliant. I’m okay, crazy busy as ever but my Master’s will be done in October so the end is in sight. Thankfully, as it’s been rather challenging to juggle work and studying. Pleased you’re well though 🙂
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Such an amazing effort! Well done – there’s definitely a light at the end of your tunnel now. Very cool 🙂
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A poignant piece, Ryan!
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Thanks so much, Robert.
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