Common Threads

 Uphill Climb 

Four wheel drive uphill

Loose gravel on mountain climb

One mile in 8 minutes

We’re plum tuckered out

Watching Forrest Gump, snoozing

Ready for bedtime 

 

ABACADABA! Magical Parks

everything around you is magical

mountain air, glass mirror lakes, open skies

everything around you is mystical 

ethereal clouds of coffee cup haze

everything around you is artistical

paintbrush palette of botanical shades

everything around you is lyrical

rustling leaves, evening waterfall fireflies 

parks transcend the mere geographical

 

On the road again

In our backseat travel pen 

Seeking adventure 

We’re Fitzie and Boo

Bros: black Schnauzer and white Schnoo

Just wait…. stay tuned, dudes!  

 

State Park Chueh-chu 

State parks are a world without fear

where thoughts, like clean streams, all run clear

where we go to think deep on life

to give thanks for all we hold dear

State parks are diversity realms

where those from all lands gather near 

where everything around you is 

a rainbow of skin-color cheer 

*Chueh-chu form AABACADA, first stanza in monosyllables, in response to Kwame Alexander’s invitation for poems to celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month – July 2021 

 

I Dream a World With Langston 

I dream a world of you and me

a place we’ve always dreamed about 

where everything around you is

a level field: no one without

and where comes closest to this dream

are parks that welcome everyone

all humans under one big sky

a universe that shares one sun

enjoyment of a world so green

of rivers flowing wild and free

where everything around us is

as dreamy as this world we see 

 

Georgia State Parks Pantoum 

Everything around you is alive! 

Trees and rivers, oceans, lakes and creeks

Stride out in this realm and take the dive- 

Waterfalls and trails to mountain peaks! 

Trees and rivers, oceans, lakes and creeks

Oxygen for weary spirits flows

Waterfalls and trails to mountain peaks

Inner peace and love of life here grow!

Oxygen for weary spirits flows

Georgia State Parks revive trodden souls

Inner peace and love of life here grow

Nature helps establish refined goals

Everything around you is alive!

Unplug, then plug in to what is real

Stride out in this realm and take the dive! 

Plunge in head first: change the way you feel! 

 

Everything Around You Blitz

Everything around you is 

everything state park pure 

pure bliss 

pure nature 

nature lovers 

nature walk 

walk on clouds 

walk on air 

air conditioner 

air quality 

quality of life 

quality time 

time to think 

time to breathe 

breathe out 

breathe in 

in sync

in step 

step up 

step out 

out of sight 

out of mind 

mind bending 

mind blowing 

blowing bubbles 

blowing winds 

winds of time 

winds of change 

change of seasons 

change of heart 

heart rate 

heart beat 

beat the heat 

beat the clock 

clock hours 

clock days 

days of yore 

days of old 

old timer 

old oak 

oak moss 

oak tree 

tree limbs 

tree leaves 

leaves fall 

leaves flutter

flutter weighlessly

flutter carelessly

weightlessly…

carelessly….

 

A Georgia State Park Golden Shovel Poem

drop everything

turn yourself around 

nature beckons you 

to go where the air is

fresh, sweet, pure….

everything around you is magic 

breathe in 

and feel the sensation of a 

sunny day in Georgia

in a sweeping-the-clouds-away state 

of mind in a teeming-green-with-life park

 

Mother Nature’s Fashion Show: a Georgia State Park Sonnet in Iambic Pentameter 

a Georgia State Park is the place to go 

when everything around you falls apart 

as Mother Nature throws a fashion show 

just pack your things and head out to a park 

when everything around you causes stress 

breathe deeply and choose self-care: go unwind 

Miss Scenic View is zipping up her dress 

she beckons you to leave the world behind 

park runways boast resplendent beauty queens 

who dance and sway to summer’s

breezy tunes 

tall oaks and pines in gowns of forest green 

will readjust your pulse to normal soon 

when everything around you is fresh air 

breathe deeply – feel the healing magic there!

 

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#ComeRelax!