Face my love
This poem was inspired by Brittany Howard’s live performance of “Gimme All Your Love” (Alabama Shakes). Continue reading Face my love
From a giant’s dream
As children, we dream of the benevolent giants we will become. Continue reading From a giant’s dream
2016 Backpacking Cohutta & Big Frog Wilderness Areas
I solo backpacked the Cohutta and Big Frog Wilderness areas (Georgia/Tennessee) from 26 AUG to 2 SEPT. I thoroughly enjoyed a week of solitude in nature, and I’d like to share the details of my experience better than a few concise posts on Facebook. Continue reading 2016 Backpacking Cohutta & Big Frog Wilderness Areas
Quantifying backpacking
I wrote this on the last night of my 2016 backpacking trip in the Cohutta and Big Frog Wilderness Areas. I wanted to emphasize the richness of a healthy perspective over the purposelessness of cold statistics. Continue reading Quantifying backpacking
Big Frog Mountain’s rebirth
The Cherokee imagined that the Cohutta mountains served to support the sky. My understanding is that the word “Cohutta” can be translated as “a shed roof supported on poles”. Also, the Cherokee held the spring frog in high regard as it had the unique ability to climb and it announced the arrival of spring with its awakening from hibernation. These thoughts led me to imagine the mountain as an old man coming to life after a long winter. Continue reading Big Frog Mountain’s rebirth
Summer gusts
I had backpacking on my mind lately, so I wrote this when I woke up this morning. Continue reading Summer gusts
Red is my love
I reread a Cherokee myth that explained why the strawberry resembles a heart, and I found myself in the mood to write romantically about two gatherers and givers. Continue reading Red is my love
A morning storm
I wrote a poem about this morning’s weather. It’s not unusual for me to write, but it is rare I let anyone see anything I’ve written. I hope you enjoy. Continue reading A morning storm
Primitive Joe 