Freedom Feet

the trail will make you feral
months in the wilderness, alone
with nothing but everything
all hours of the day, immersed in Nature
sky above your head and earth beneath your feet
drinking wild water from rivers and catching the wind in your hair
coming back to society is a challenge

you’d find the familiar creature comforts
but they just didn’t feel the same anymore
pizza and ice cream are nice
showers are lovely
but the rest you can do away with

you are like a migrating animal
taking only the small things with you on a great journey marked by endless walking
constant movement
you get into town with a wave of momentum
and the freedom is in your bones
you stop quickly, have a meal if you can, buy more rations, and repack your bag
the wind blows at your back
and you catch that familiar feeling
the call of the wild
the very call of freedom itself
so you stick out your thumb and hitch hike back to the trail

and when you’re dropped off,
alone,
at that crossroad into the wilderness
with everything you need in your backpack
you’ll literally jump with joy
for you are free
free as a caribou running wild with its pack
free as the monarchy butterfly soaring thousands of miles
free as the goose headed up to Canada.

waving goodbye
turning your face toward destiny.