HANKERING

I forgot I wrote the following. It does express how I feel.

HANKERING

I’m hankering to be on the trail again

Where there’s nature, and yes, women and men

A time for openness, interaction, and then

A harmony, a calm like a pure state of Zen

I’ve taken to walking the land of the maple leaf

And foot cruising the U.S. like a runaway thief

Through clover, corn, desert to the west-coast reef

In a rhythm unstoppable beyond my own belief

Took the challenge of Israel, its sand so dry

And ventured under Ireland’s rare blue sky

Sugarcane countries where fish are put to fry

In the day, in the dark, with vision of a cat’s eye

In a period spanning over twenty years it be,

And four times in my own home country where some say “Oui!”

It was a blast, it went so fast, from sea to sea

I can bet you no other activity feels so free

I gained a lot, not in pounds, but in what’s pleasant

Did it all like a wandering wondrous mendicant

And each day was like opening a fine present

Like sighting a gorgeous-tailed forest pheasant

Oh, and bears – big guys – brown and black

Get close to them and you’ll get more than flak

They were prudent strides that saved me from attack

I was glad I never had one on my back

I wish to share all the wonder to do with the feet

The road has ups and downs with towns bittersweet

Neighbourhoods of the poor and those of the elite

Once in a while you rest there – have something to eat

With memories locked in and with knees weaker now

My movement is more like a slower holy cow

Eyes moistened in love, it's what walking does allow

My spirit has grown, deepening the furrow in my brow

– By Bhaktimarga Swami

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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