Friday, October 7, 2011

Red Writing Hood: A Walk in the Woods

Prompt: Good writing plants the reader’s feet into your story. Good writing is also concise. So when you’re trying to decide where to spend your words – where to use the most imagery and details and senses – I say setting is where its at. Close your eyes, paint the picture in your mind, and then use your words to paint it for me.

This is the visualization that I use sometimes when I need to relax. Which is every five minutes.


The lush emerald of the forest beckons me, and my bare feet are relieved to step on the softness that is my path. The soles of my feet sink blissfully into the moss; looking down, my eyes follow the dark green fuzziness that has crept up the sides of the trees.

I look ahead of me. The trees on the edge of the forest where I stand are saplings and young trees reaching for the last bits of sunlight. I begin to walk down the path, and I look with wonder at that which is before me. The young trees give way to tall and sturdy trees that extend high above me. These older trees have joined hands, and their branches have created an unbroken, verdant canopy. I become enveloped in a pool of twilight. Birdsong echoes around me, circling, as if everywhere at once. The path extends into the center of the forest, where there is a small clearing around an enormous and ancient oak tree.

As I step into the clearing, a hush falls. I sit at the foot of the oak tree and feel cradled in the arms of the Mother herself. I close my eyes to listen to the breath of the trees and the heartbeat of the Earth.


...and if I'm not relaxed by this point, I have to break out the emergency chocolate.

11 comments:

  1. "These older trees have joined hands" I love this description of the trees! Can I join you in your happy place??

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  2. *sigh* This sounds just right. I'm right there with you, relaxing and soaking up the beautiful nature around.

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  3. It does sound VERY peaceful. Now that I've come, I don't want to leave. I hope you can put up with me! ;)

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  4. That was great but now I fear there are too many of us hanging around your beautiful forest. :)

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  5. strange I have never seen forests and trees as calming but I see how it can be now!

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  6. Wow! I was just asking my dr yestersay how people meditate? I just can't clear my mind enough or relax. But this was beautiful and calming, so vivid and serene. I loved it..chocolate and all!

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  7. Gorgeous...I felt such a sense of serenity. I can see how this works to relax you.

    I am weak. I choose chocolate every time ;)

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  8. I love the trees' joined hands to create the canopy, and the green of the soft, mossy path climbing the trees. Those images were particularly vivid for me.

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  9. Such a beautiful, peaceful place you describe. I also feel a sense of calm when I'm in the woods..

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  10. wow. really, just wow! that was awesome. i can totally see why envisioning that would relax you. i really really enjoyed this.

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