Things Forgot

During the second period of unemployment that I experienced this year, I got into the habit of going for long walks. I walked on the bike trail along Coyote Creek. This asphalt bike trail winds along among old grape vineyards and flower gardens of long-gone homes. To the east you can see old farm buildings among rolling hills. To the west is the Bayshore freeway and beyond are the Santa Cruz mountains. Often my walks were in mid-morning and so the trail was generally empty of bikes or walkers. It gave me some time to think and to enjoy nature. I felt like I had it all to myself. I'm not sure that I felt all that lucky to be without work, but I certainly felt lucky to be alive and to be able to take time to just walk and enjoy the sunshine, the trees and flowers, and the birds singing. During one of these walks some words began going through my mind, and this poem was the result.

Gale L. Wolfenbarger
26 November 1989

Things Forgot

I walked today where man was not
And marveled at the things forgot.

I walked the earth as it should be,
A garden place for you and me,

Where mountains rise into the sky
And play with clouds there passing by,

And trees their leaves caress the birds,
Whose songs of joy my soul has stirred.

Spring flowers spill down rolling hills,
A golden stream of daffodils,

Where butterflies on tissue wings
Flit on the breeze of early spring.

And forests grand, in splendor rise,
Shade lacy ferns from summer skies,

While squirrels leap from tree to tree
And call to friends, ignoring me.

The mountain streams their songs so sweet
Fill men with joy and inner peace,

So man his cares may leave behind
And things forgot will surely find.

Gale L. Wolfenbarger
13 June 1989