Poetry Corner: The Unknown Path

POETRY CORNER

Bridge and path (Photo – Michael Czarnecki).

– 11/01/17

Hosted by Kathabela Wilson

Where are we going and what are we doing here? Poet Michael Czarnecki asks questions and often comes to the conclusion that creativity is the answer, but it is an open answer, always an unknown path. In mid-October he began a 10-day residency in a cabi​​n​ ​in the Adirondack Mountains at the Newcomb Campus of the SUNY ​College of Environmental Science and Forestry.​. ​

Michael says: ​’The Adirondack Mountains have always been a special place for me. My first backpacking adventures took place there and I have explored the region numerous times over the decade​s​.’ He posts a daily (numbered) photo and poem on Facebook.  Here you can follow his progress from first day to return, in a few of his posted poems.​

~ Kathabela

​Michael Czarnecki​

Huntington Lodge where Michael stayed for his residency (Photo – Michael Czarnecki).

Daily Spontaneous Poem #1053
10/20

forty-six years ago
first night backpacking
Adirondack wilderness
nobody within miles
as dark enveloped me
small fire flickered
in front of lean-to
city far behind
unknown path ahead

tonight, in Adirondacks
nobody within miles
sitting at table
Huntington Lodge
Arbutus Lake no longer visible
dark has settled down
enveloped water, mountains, me
previous life far behind
what path lies ahead

Ο Ο Ο

Daily Spontaneous Poem #1059
10/26

underneath ground pine
underneath spruce, fir
maple, beech, birch
underneath russula emetica
underneath wintergreen
bunchberry, partridgeberry
underneath wood ferns
underneath Arbutus Lake
Rich Lake, Wolf Lake
underneath otter footsteps
deer footsteps, bear footsteps
my footsteps
underneath soil we all walk on
lies bedrock of ancient mountains
we are all just passing through
even mountains, too

Ο Ο Ο​

Thick morning fog at Arbutus Lake (Photo – Michael Czarnecki).

Daily Spontaneous Poem #1060
10/27

late day six mile saunter
returning home just before dark
western sky aflame above Arbutus
lake surface too, by reflection

between flaming sky, water
black outline of wooded hills
where mystery resides

dark spaces hold secrets
one must step away from light
to learn

Ο Ο Ο

Daily Spontaneous Poem #1062
10/29

heavy rain pours down in dark night
last evening in Huntington Lodge
ten days woods, water, mountains
drawing to a close

fitting, this dark rainy night
my mood slightly melancholic
as I contemplate leaving
this lodge, landscape, people behind

behind, yet so much goes with me
has become part of me as I continue on

Ο Ο Ο

Baby Turtle (Photo- Michael Czarnecki).

Daily Spontaneous Poem #1063
10/30

at my desk on Wheeler Hill
working on computer
I gaze up
expecting to see Arbutus Lake
Kempshall mountain
my companion loons

ten days there
at Huntington Forest
a few hours here
my interior self
hasn’t caught up
with my exterior self

Michael Czarnecki​ spent 10 days exploring the terrain, writing poetry, giving a reading, conducting a couple of workshops and visiting a nearby school. This generous poet shares the bounty of his explorations, to record ​his journey ​and inspire himself and all of us to continue on the “Unknown Path”​ of creativity. ​Michael says: “The ten days was an amazing experience and we’re planning to do so again next fall, and also a reading at the main Campus in Syracuse this winter sometime.​”​ ​You can follow and contact Michael Czarnecki here.