Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)

Bella Shepard

As I walk through the forest

It cleanses me body and soul

I bathe in the glow of dappled sunlight

As it filters down

Through the canopy of the trees

And gently touches the wake of my footprints

I leave a trail of moments behind 

Which are weaved into the fabric of my life

 

  • Author: Bella Shepard (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: April 23rd, 2023 14:55
  • Comment from author about the poem: I finally discovered a name for what I have been doing almost all my life.
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 14
  • Users favorite of this poem: L. B. Mek, Rocky Lagou
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Comments +

Comments10

  • Doggerel Dave

    I'm walking with you Bella. Beautiful image. I'm a wee bit envious, as it takes many hours to find a forest where I live and then it may be burnt out anyway. I'll stay with yours.

    • Bella Shepard

      Thank you dear Dave, I love to walk with company. We are very fortunate in our county parks department, we have so many wonderful wooded and forested areas to enjoy. Just last night we did a Golden Hour Hike with one of our park rangers through a beautiful woods near our home. It was just before twilight, sun beginning to set, even my allergies felt at peace. Take care!

    • thinkerbell

      Beautiful poem dear poet...have you read the book with the same title on shinrin yoku? I must say it's a delightful read

      • Bella Shepard

        Thank you my friend for reading and your kind comment. I also thank you for the wonderful book suggestion. I discovered Shinrin-yoku in the last few months and have been googling it and Youtubeing it. I will definitely check out the book. Happy walks!

        • thinkerbell

          The book is written by the authors of the famous book-Ikigai and it offers insight into the benefits and influence of Shirin Yoku on Japanese life..happy walks to you as well dear poet😍

          • Bella Shepard

            I just checked my library and it has both books you've suggested. Looks like they are in demand, so I'll get in line for a "reserve". Can't thank you enough!

          • Goldfinch60

            Wonderful words Bella, you are in the place that I love being.

            Andy

            • Bella Shepard

              Oh dear Andy it is a wonderful place indeed. Thank you for reading and sharing that love of nature.

            • Goldfinch60

              Wonderful words Bella, you are in the place that I love being.

              Andy

            • orchidee

              Good write Bella.
              Will a wood do too?!

              • Bella Shepard

                You know what they say "A wood's just as good as a forest", or maybe I just made that up. Thank you as always for reading dear friend.

              • L. B. Mek

                a wonderfully inked, nurturing stroll
                through nature's gentle grace
                (and our poems are Spring themed
                in-sync, I think
                lol)
                and so true, wise Poet
                the Japanese culture is so rich
                in depth of their wording's
                acute poignancy and meaningful etymology
                in Autumn, they have 'Momiji-Gary'
                in Spring they have 'Hanami'
                (and so much more, tradition
                acting as conduit to a timeless
                continuation of appreciation
                for all the Nature, modernity
                disregards
                as testimony, to our progressive
                ignorance...)

                • Bella Shepard

                  Dear friend such beautiful words, thank you. You are so right about the Japanese culture and their regard for nature and tradition. I've been watching a series called Mozart In The Jungle, where in one episode the two main characters take part in a Japanese Tea Ceremony. I was completely enthralled with the attention to the tiniest details and their meaning. Thank you for the insight that you always share!

                • sorenbarrett

                  A most beautiful and magic image painted in words.

                  • Bella Shepard

                    Thank you dear friend, the forest does indeed hold magic.

                  • Rocky Lagou

                    I am actually speechless. This poem is so transcendental, and the last lines feel like this grand revelation. This is rich, sublime, and evocative.

                    • Bella Shepard

                      Dearest Rocky, I am speechless from your kind comments. You make this old lady smile from ear to ear, thank you so much. I think of nature as true reality, and everything we create around it just a facade that distracts us from it. You always have the intuition to see things deeply, beyond the surface and that's what makes your comments so meaningful to me. Thank you so much for the fav. You just keep shining!

                    • Neville


                      How wonderful my friend .. you have taken the literal translation and applied it perfectly .. Arigato 💜

                      • Bella Shepard

                        Thank you dear Neville, so glad that you're back safe and sound. Dou itashimashite, hope I got that right. Have to share something; our parks department offers a Poetry in the Park evening, and last night it was just me and the Park Ranger strolling through one of our amazing wooded areas, full of wild flowers, dogwoods, incredible trees, on a natureal path, reading poetry and talking about nature. I was living the Shinrin-yoku dream. Take care my friend!

                        • Neville


                          that sounds amazing .. we do something similar here with the background of the sea to one side and the woods behind

                        • Caring dove

                          Beautiful writing , Bella )) liked the read

                          Lovely gentle words
                          And that’s what a lot of nature is .. gentle and beautiful

                          • Bella Shepard

                            Thank you my friend for your lovely comment. Hope your days will be filled with the beauty of nature.



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