14 Comments
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Billy Graham's avatar

The mythic tone of this piece really drew me in. I especially enjoyed the idea that purposeful human activity restores balance and awakens the world again. The ending image of the rising water reflected on the woman of the wood is beautiful and feels like a powerful symbol of renewal.

Malik Rhodes's avatar

This made me think about the relationship between humanity and nature in a different way. Rather than opposing forces, they seem intertwined here, each giving meaning to the other. A thought-provoking read.

Grant Hope's avatar

In the grand order of nature that God made, man is the one tasked with harnessing it to bear fruit. A world of animals might be a fascinating idea, but how would animals know how to build and develop. There is no real separation of man and nature except perhaps in the sense of familiarity.

neilgerreston's avatar

I was struck by how the woman of the wood functions less as a guide and more as a witness to renewal. The rising reflection along her body creates a subtle measure of progress, as if nature itself is keeping time while the narrator rebuilds the world around him.

Grant Hope's avatar

This is quite insightful. Nature without man is full of ways it is not used and can overrun itself. It requires a master to bring more out of it than survival. Stewardship and progress are one and the same in that way.

Henry ❤️'s avatar

Beautifully written. The mythic atmosphere and symbolism of restoration gave this poem a timeless quality. The closing image was powerful and rewarding.

Grant Hope's avatar

Thank you. I like the last section as well. It leaves both mystery and understanding.

Doris's avatar

I was struck by the poem's challenge to the common idea that nature flourishes only in humanity's absence. Here, humanity and nature seem intertwined, each needing the other to thrive. The "river forgotten" becomes a powerful symbol of renewal through stewardship rather than conquest.

Grant Hope's avatar

Humanity it part of nature’s ecosystem, not the other way around. We were made with the purpose to have dominion over nature while also being responsible with it.

petals's avatar

Beautiful work. The atmosphere is so vivid that I could hear the river and feel the stillness of the landscape. The woman of the wood is a fascinating character, and the ending brought a real sense of hope and restoration.

Grant Hope's avatar

Thank you. I like her character as well.

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Jun 7
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Grant Hope's avatar

Thanks Tracy. I really liked how this one came together.

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Jun 4
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Grant Hope's avatar

It’s always good to hear when someone is thinking about the larger ideas laid out in verse. I like the slowness of this poem as well.

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Jun 4
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Grant Hope's avatar

Thank you very much.