by Whitney Wallace

I’ve always been attracted to the stones.

To the rocks.

I would collect them in my pockets and my mother,

much to her dismay,

would find them rattling around,

forgotten,

in the washing machine.

by Marion Kastner

When we slow down and take time to notice, we experience so much more.

by Laura Transue

sometimes it feels like

jumping off a cliff

being more than human

being blessed with worthiness

by Shawn Ramsey

I struggle to relax as I enter the forest

Fidgety and anxious

Unsure about this assignment

Featured article in the January/February 2023 edition of Forest Landowner’s magazine

by Glenna Lee

I came to the forest to watch a leaf fall.

Last year, I watched leaves land,

Altogether a different miracle.

by Mary Judd-Pechie

Many years ago, Tree lived alone in the Forest. Tree stood tall and proud, reaching up to Sky, Sun, Clouds, Moon, and Stars. Tree was content.

Then one day Lichen came along. “Tree”, said Lichen, “Are you lonely here, reaching up to Sky, Sun, Clouds, Moon, and Stars?” “No”, said Tree, “I am content- are you lonely, Lichen?”

by Cara Hatch

I don’t know where I’m going but I know I’m not lost.

This knowing flooded my body and mind at approximately hour 3 of my Soul Walk. I was walking down a rocky hill in the middle of Murphy Hanrehan Park in Prior Lake, MN having already meandered through about 7 miles of hiking trails. I’m not the best trail map (or any map) reader and I’d never spent this much time solo, with nature before.

by Irena Nayfeld

Can it be possible that all my walks are soul walks?

Can it be true that I move from nothing but soul?

No “shoulds”, no clocks, no obligations

I am on a permanent soulwalk

Where my soulfeet lead, I go

by Nora Palmer

These recipes were inspired by a week’s worth of daily “sit spot”, a core practice of forest therapy.

by Lynette Griffin

The Earth offers peace

Forest Bathing relaxes

Delight in beauty.

by Gerald Vance

What happens when we intentionally spend two hundred forty minutes in nature? What possibilities would be created by being immersed in the ambiance of the natural world without expectations, free from judging and judgment, and emotionally vulnerable…simply being?

by Joy Slesinger

The air is heavy and warm, saturated with the sweet earthy scent of pine, moss, and flowers. The rhododendrons give the trail a jungle-like feel with their glossy dark green leaves. This deep green backdrop creates a beautiful contrast to the muted green of pine needles, the serene blue-green of lichen, and the impossibly bright lime green of moss. The light streaming through the trees is green, too. Green and gold as it filters through leaves rustling in the wind, creating magical light shows across the forest floor.

by Kristin Johnson Falling Tree

Before me is a seat of Rock

The trees did call me in to talk

To join the mighty and be as one

Under the morning clouds and sun

by Nancy Longman

To commemorate my first official soul walk, I created a painting.

The painting was created in layers. It evolved organically. Preliminary layers were words to express feelings when I was on the walk or maybe a song lyric that "popped in". Layers of color were added. Abstract and basic shapes representing beings or movement in the forest were playfully painted on the canvas.

by Elizabeth Bridges

Original music inspired by rain-sun-rain pattern that dominates so many May mornings in Montreat.

by Marion Bolding

I arrive. Heritage Shores Nature Preserve. 

My heart is heavy. My breath is shallow. My body is tense. I walk. 

I keep walking. A bright red cardinal leading the way…

by Deanna Raymond

All that has gone before

Footprints across this land

The bounty of woods and pond

River and field