Big Sky Buckeye

A writer's journey continues

Monday Memories: Back in Time

Posted on April 14, 2025 by bigskybuckeye

**Walking along the ancient canal towpath fills my mind with thoughts of years ago . . .**

Early morning walk, going back in time

Autumn’s breath creates thoughts, filling with rhyme

Trekking along canal’s ancient pathway

Thoughts caress past moments, plenty to say

Gentle breeze, sending leaves twirling on down

Mind arrives at different time and town

Dreaming . . .

More simple times, without high tech living

Days invite, delightful and forgiving

Riding bareback along this old canal

Looking for trees to climb with school-age pals

Fishing one final time, nearby pond waits

When icy winter comes, change to ice skates

Creepy, storm-filled nights, reading classic prose

Edgar Allen Poe’s words, scary shadows

Looking for literature’s lighter themes

Whitman, Hawthorne, Melville adding to dreams

Quiet evenings filled with family time

Gathered around for radio’s primetime

Crisp, fall afternoon, gridiron titans clash

College football rivals looking to smash

Romance blossoms, courtship takes center stage

Life filling with sweetness, each turning page

Back to reality . . .

Journey runs into closed gate at Rager Road

Turning around, grateful for time borrowed

Looking forward to walking here real soon

Fondest memories, let them sing a tune

**A quiet place for fishing, conversation, and winter ice skating.**

Originally published October, 2020.

Monday Memories: Step by Step

Posted on January 22, 2024 by bigskybuckeye

One of my favorite places to walk is a short drive from my home. Walnut Woods Metro Park (the Woods) is a special place to find nature’s treasures along its easy to moderate trails. The photographs shown with this poem were taken a few days ago. Enjoy!

**Peaceful Walnut Creek meanders along the northern border of park.**

Early morning light beckons

Putting on worn hiking shoes

Overcast skies hold back rain

Nature waits with charming views

Driving to a park, the “Woods”

Tranquility always waits

Peace and beauty reaching out

Eager feet, needing no skates

Step by step, walking farther

Park’s vastness, shouting with joy

Around each bend, nature smiles

Many sights and sounds deploy

Morning excursion teases

Birds sing back and forth on cue

Precious blossoms smelling sweet

Coffee can’t top nature’s brew

Time seems to pause with each step

Today’s time comes to an end

Ticket punched for return trip

These “Woods” remain a best friend

**A few signs of spring’s early blossoms still can be found, but they will soon be gone.**

Originally published June, 2020.

Charles Stanley Quote

Posted on May 7, 2023 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Pavel Bondarenko on Pexels.com**

When we are first saved, our steps are small and uncertain, but as we practice and mature in Christ, walking by the Spirit becomes a normal and essential part of our faith.

From Galatians 5:24-25: “And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”

Monday Memories: Sunrise

Posted on May 9, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

Walking in the morning pre-dawn light

Waiting for the sun to resume its flight

Hearing the birds chirping familiar tunes

Feeling happy that spring will arrive soon

Stepping briskly along the charming path

Anticipating the sun bringing a warm bath

Seeing the shadows change and dance

Clearing a mind from its dormant trance

Witnessing God’s immense creation at dawn

Blessing with unique images that it spawns

Dashing in front goes a frightened rabbit

Making his morning visit a welcome habit

Dreaming of walking here each and every day

Picturing a scenic sunrise so appealing to say

Lifting above the distant horizon to bring a delight

Radiating sunrise brightens the morn with its light

The photo was taken at sunrise last fall at Walnut Woods Metro Park in central Ohio. I am looking forward to witnessing more sunrises in the coming weeks as the spring weather allows me to walk outside more often.

Do you enjoy a favorite time or place to walk and experience God’s creation?

Alexander Maclaren Quote

Posted on January 6, 2022 by bigskybuckeye

**Photo by Lorenzo Di Teo on Pexels.com**

If God sends us on stony paths, He will provide us with strong shoes.

From Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Mary Oliver Quotes

Posted on October 25, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

There are a hundred paths through the world that are easier than loving. But wants easier?

Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.

Mary Oliver (1935-2019) was a best-selling American poet, who received many honors for her work. Her love of nature can be found in much of her writing, and it resulted in honors from the National Book Award in 1992 and Pulitzer Prize in 1984.

Enchanted Walk

Posted on September 23, 2021 by bigskybuckeye

**Walking Chestnut Ridge Metro Park shares the enchanted delights of one of central Ohio’s most precious gems.**

Discovering these woods

Longing for morning walk

Sharing nature’s promise

Enchanted forest talks

Breathing nature’s freshness

Winding through woodland’s peace

Fascinating venture

Enchanted, sweet showpiece

Scaling every hill

Navigating each trail

Finding nature’s secrets

Enchanted story’s tale

Standing still, time shall wait

Looking around each bend

Treasuring nature’s prize

Enchanted spirit’s friend

Dreaming of tomorrow

Hiking this ridge again

Searching for nature’s gifts

Enchanted walk, Amen!

**Another view from Chestnut Ridge Metro Park features its deep, summer green.**

I frequently walk Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, which is located about ten minutes from my home. I have used this setting for other poems, and here is a sample:

Hilltop Hiker
Ridgetop Treasure

Back in Time

Posted on October 14, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

Early morning walk, going back in time

Autumn’s breath creates thoughts, filling with rhyme

Trekking along canal’s ancient pathway

Thoughts caress past moments, plenty to say

Gentle breeze, sending leaves twirling on down

Mind arrives at different time and town

Dreaming . . .

More simple times, without high tech living

Days invite, delightful and forgiving

Riding bareback along this old canal

Looking for trees to climb with school-age pals

Fishing one final time, nearby pond waits

When icy winter comes, change to ice skates

Creepy, storm-filled nights, reading classic prose

Edgar Allen Poe’s words, scary shadows

Looking for literature’s lighter themes

Whitman, Hawthorne, Melville adding to dreams

Quiet evenings filled with family time

Gathered around for radio’s primetime

Crisp, fall afternoon, gridiron titans clash

College football rivals looking to smash

Romance blossoms, courtship takes center stage

Life filling with sweetness, each turning page

Back to reality . . .

Journey runs into closed gate at Rager Road

Turning around, grateful for time borrowed

Looking forward to walking here real soon

Fondest memories, let them sing a tune

Step by Step

Posted on June 6, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

Early morning light beckons

Putting on worn hiking shoes

Overcast skies hold back rain

Nature waits with charming views

Driving to a park, the “Woods”

Tranquility always waits

Peace and beauty reaching out

Eager feet, needing no skates

Step by step, walking farther

Park’s vastness, shouting with joy

Around each bend, nature smiles

Many sights and sounds deploy

Morning excursion teases

Birds sing back and forth on cue

Precious blossoms smelling sweet

Coffee can’t top nature’s brew

Time seems to pause with each step

Today’s time comes to an end

Ticket punched for return trip

These “Woods” remain a best friend

Monday Memories: Walking the Trail

Posted on January 13, 2020 by bigskybuckeye

Walking along an unknown, isolated trail

Hoping that this journey goes without fail

Watching skyward for some warm fun

Hiding behind clouds, escapes the sun

Hurrying along the narrow path against the windy cold

Seeking to not find too much adventure—yet be bold!

Traveling quickly, the brisk pace advances along

Thinking this morning hike, nothing can go wrong

Turning a corner, approaching a different place

Seeing a fork coming up and slowing the pace

Searching the mysterious routes of twin solitary trails

Feeling confidence slipping, suspense tips the scales

Deciding to journey down the unfamiliar path on the right

Adjusting the trip’s rhythm, accepting challenges in sight

Moving along another route, sometimes part of life

Aligning conflicting thoughts, without further strife

Finishing this satisfying walk, never feeling ready to fail

Realizing life’s unique treks, resemble being on this trail

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