I tend to walk through the battlefields, to stretch my legs, clear my head and to gain perspective on things. One could say that I am meandering through the battlefields of life some days. Walking in the footsteps of time helps, knowing that these hallowed grounds look nothing like the beauty shown today. Making me realize that you can make things right, eventually, with much help and understanding. Sometimes you just have to look a little closer at things. I have to wonder how many trees were used to make these fences, and why they were put together in just this way?

Sweeping over the scenery, a fraction of the area, in various places I can see that there are cannons left behind, and I reach out and touch one. Breathe it all in. I look beyond and admire the way the trees frame this particular field. Were they planted or did they come up as volunteers?

Scattered throughout the State are telltale fences, depicting another time in history. I wander down the path, in the search of my trees, while the thoughts of the sacrifices made by these Civil War soldiers fell on to their shoulders, every single day, no matter which side you were on. My perceived hardships seem so shallow in comparison.

My path is not always so clearly defined as this, but, I walk it every day and try to make sense of it all. It's not that life is so tough. It is the unseen twists and turns that come with it that make it unpredictable to plan. And yet, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is the path forged by me. For better. For worse. Oh, to my delight, I am surrounded by the luxury of all these trees. Breathe deeply.

Of course, there won't be cutting through the pasture today... It will be the long way home for me. Which goes to show me, I should slow down, I'm moving too fast. Enjoy the scenery of life.

Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Because of you, I come back to post again and again, I am encouraged by you, for the time you take to visit, comment or even upvote. For all of these reasons, I am eternally grateful. Don't ever forget what a wonderful world we live in, people. Let's hold hands around the globe and make this earth really spin. Some days, it is not as easy to see, how wonderful it really is. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.

they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?

i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.

later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,

"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"

warsan shire