Wilderness by Elizabeth Jill We have not spun the foam of any ocean nor braided energies to form one lightning bolt. We're in no place to chew the fingernails of trees and, care-or-not, we can't unclench the jaws of our insistent continent's divide. The stars that hug the sky to us we have not fed; we have not polished rain nor brushed the teeth of mountains. We have not combed the tangled hair of hate nor swept the sweat of sorrow from the brow of earth. There is no sense in going on like this; we plagiarize the solemn metaphors of God until all sacred disappears. The years move through, we claim to wear a scarf of wisdom round our necks, and yet the foolest things distract us. We're in no place to so presume that we have reached one Muir of dedication, or somehow think we've grown a tree because we've pinched a seed. 08/15/2012 Posted on 08/16/2012 Copyright © 2025 Elizabeth Jill Member Comments on this Poem Posted by Elizabeth Shaw on 08/16/12 at 12:59 PM This is utterly beautiful Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 08/16/12 at 07:33 PM Amazing Poem, each word gives just the right touch. Seems most have no wilderness in them, we have instead providence, and are content in the tight, hot cells of our hearts-to eat the dusty bread. this is a potd for sure. Thank you. Posted by George Hoerner on 08/16/12 at 08:39 PM Wonderful write m'lady!! The closest most of us have come to wilderness is that which we find in our own mind and many of us don't realize how desolute it really is. I love the write as it presents volumes for us to study. Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 08/16/12 at 09:46 PM We are but a blip as all around attempts to avoid our constant obstacles. Well done, Jill. Posted by Laura Doom on 08/16/12 at 11:21 PM It's life Jill, but not as we want to know it... Lapse into candour any time; more digestible than candy for sure...not that you do confectionery anyway. Posted by Clara Mae Gregory on 08/16/12 at 11:45 PM ***STELLAR*** Posted by Ken Harnisch on 08/17/12 at 09:35 AM I can't write the superlatives this gem deserves...I'm still applauding! Posted by LK Barrett on 08/17/12 at 12:34 PM ...what a perfect unit of measure for selfless commitment to an ideal of conservation, "one Muir of dedication." love it, love the write! lk Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 08/17/12 at 05:27 PM Much truth and wisdom here Jill. A much needed reality check in wake of what might or might not happen later this year. Excellent imagery to carry the message. Posted by Aaron Michael on 08/22/12 at 06:53 PM Love. A. Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 10/18/12 at 12:43 PM Jilly, we are blessed to have your presence in our midst, one such as yours wielding a sacred quill, rendering odes such as this which is elegant and devastatingly tender. Posted by H.M Stevens on 05/17/13 at 01:41 PM Incredible Posted by Rob Littler on 09/22/13 at 02:55 PM My heart breaks at the truth of this...my clenching full-of-care Muirisms aside...my own great knowing that wilderness is a verb, like vision...more seeing than a way to see...more being than a way to be. You helped me close my eyes to see. Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 11/21/14 at 08:15 PM Best of the best, dear friend. Congrats! Return to the Previous Page     pathetic.org FAQ Members Poetry Center Login Signup   pathetic.org Version 7.3.2 May 2004 Terms and Conditions of Use 0 member(s) and 2 visitor(s) online All works Copyright © 2025 their respective authors. Page Generated In 0 Second(s)