Walking Poem by Claudia Krizay

Trees are decorating the trail and I am contented and blessed
To see their leaves changing colors in the autumn and
To see branches as would silhouettes be
Barren and majestic against a deep blue sky at the arrival of winter-
Snow would paint the trees in an aesthetically pleasing way,
And would blanket the hilltops- as if
The world were a canvas or a museum of snow covered sculptures-
To hear robins singing in chorus in the early spring,
To see crocuses and daffodils peeking through the
Grass so green, as they blossom to greet the season’s change-
To behold the early morning sunrise along with the chanting of the locusts-
While jets would be soaring through the sky, above
Cars would be speeding down the road outside and
People shall be riding their bicycles rapidly along the trail-
I would rather be carefree and walking alone, taking in the magnificence of
Nature’s miracles –casting my eyes about, to witness deer and to see colorful birds-
I would be listening to the rushing brooks, and those birds
Singing in harmony to announce the approaching of the summer-
As I continue walking-Autumn shall arrive and, I shall hear the rustling of fallen leaves
In every step that I take and at the onset of winter,
I will behold my reflection in the frozen creek-witnessing my own laughter,
Delighted to be a onlooker amongst the reward of nature’s bounty-
But the greatest gift of all would be the gift of my legs that can carry me
In the direction of my choice and for any distance I could walk-as I would ask,
Could I enjoy the surrounding scenery, or could I hear the birds and crickets singing
Their tuneful songs in the spring and the summer and
Could I feel the gentle breezes caressing my cheeks in the autumn and the winter
If I were none but a statue or a passenger flying in a plane above the clouds?
I shall continue walking as far as my legs would carry me and with each and every step,
I shall capture with my eyes every tree, and every flower
Granted with the gift that I am able to walk as to be able to walk, is the greatest reward-
As are my eyes that can see the sun rise and set with the changing of the seasons, and
Even when the rain begins to fall, I know that it shall help the flowers to blossom and
The trees to grow-appearing as glorious as ever and when the sun reappears
On the horizon, I shall continue walking along on this God given journey,
This never ending journey, this never ending place in time-