When you love a wild thing
your heart becomes wild too.
You gallop together joyously
along deserted beaches
to the roar of the waves
with an exultant song
of freedom in your heart.
You track through old growth forests,
padding gently on the mossy floor,
alert for other critters
in the bush.
You walk the beach
to the moo of Lennard's Light,
in fog so thick that others' voices
are disembodied spirits
that emerge, startled and laughing,
when you get close.
When you love a wild thing,
your heart soars with eagles
and is tethered to the land
only by love.
When you love a wild thing,
the bond of devotion
runs deeper than any human
you have ever encountered
was capable of.
And when you lose a wild thing,
your heart resists
its return
to being tame.
Sherry, I hear you on this. Once you become part of the wild, it is hard to return to being tame again. There is always that CALL to be wild and free. You will find your way to embrace the 'wild' in you again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful poem! And such beautiful photographs. I relate very much to what you wrote, thank you so much for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteOh Lord, this really speaks to me. You have written something pretty wonderful here. It is about our deepest connections and how powerfully transformational they are.
ReplyDeleteLove it...beautifully expressed and moving.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you ~
Beautifully said, Sherry. And no matter how long or how deep your grief now, I know you would never have given up that experience in exchange for a grief-free life.
ReplyDeleteK
Beautiful Sherry, I need say no more ♥
ReplyDeleteWow, Sherry! This is just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Remember, you'll never be the "tame" again. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful new year!
how I love the opening line! reminds me of a quote by Capote in Breakfast at Tiffany's (though yours is a positive reference) - this was a great write Sherry, the flow was spot on too - very nice to read!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful and revealing. Love the thoughts about what it's like to run with the wild one. I know some women are attracted to that side of a man and I've always wondered. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy "wild thing" was a big black wolf, who stayed with me for fourteen years. Such a big presence, that his absence is profound.
ReplyDeletemay we too possess such an untamed heart that will not go gently into the night.as always, very well done.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent sentiments. Superb writing. Difficult for any heart not to respond to this.
ReplyDeleteWhen you love a wild thing... this is so truth-filled, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteDear Sherry,
ReplyDeleteSorry I am late to comment, but I am on my travels again. This time I am in Scotland!!!
I understand your stance and your affinity with nature. It is a wonderful bond to feel that special relationship, as with your black wolf. It is difficult when tht time is curtailed. You write with such a passion Sherry, that you paint an image at the same time :)
Best wishes, Eileen
Nature is a gift and I agree with you that once you have been there you can hardly turn back. Beautifully written!
ReplyDeleteThat hesitation to be tame could very well be an ongoing tribute to the wild...
ReplyDeleteSherry, I am reading this poem again, as you posted it in Pantry. Yes, it is so special to love a wild thing. And I understand the heart soaring like eagles. And so hard to have the heart tame again when there is no more wild thing. Truly an inspired poem of loss, Sherry. So well expressed....
ReplyDeleteoh Sherry that final stanza says it all! I hope you are feeling better...the invitation to join the gratitude quilt is still open to you.. a person who truly knows gratitude
ReplyDeletein between the sorrows of life.
Hi Sherry! You made me think back on days of backpacking in the wild and solitude of the back country--coming back to "civilization" was always a tough transition. Loved this :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen you love a wild thing your capacity for devotion is enlarged, so there is hope for you as a human.
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing the song Wild Thing in my head ;) - very passionate piece.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of several lines from Breakfast at Tiffany's: If you love a wild thing, you'll end up looking at the sky. In some ways, it means you love something that has already left you... a difficult choice to make.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this I want to run outside and experience the wild earth, beach, forest, sky unencumbered by other things...and just feel free. Great write Sherry...and I'm sorry for your loss, he sounds magnificent.
ReplyDeletefirst of all this time its my turn to say I love your header photo,
ReplyDeleteand the poem does make you wanna run into the wild, away from the clickity-clackity noises of world.