A Walk in the Bush - a Poem of Life and Death
painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
public domain/wikipaintings
Contemplating Life and Death
Every now and then something happens that makes me contemplate my life, and maybe even think about death. It doesn't even have to be anything dramatic. This day described in the following poem. for instance, I was just walking in the bush (which looks a lot like that in the Renoir painting) on my property with my dogs and enjoying nature.
Coming across the carcass of a dead steer, however, made me stop and think. It had obviously been dead for some time and I hadn't even missed it. It made me wonder if I was living alone and passed away, how long would it be before anyone even realised? Especially living on a 40-acre property with no immediate neighbours.
Krishna was once asked what was the most miraculous thing in all creation, and he replied, "That a man should wake each morning and believe deep in his heart that he will live forever, even though he knows that he is doomed.
— Christopher Pike, Phantom
A Walk In The Bush
Today I took my four dogs walking.
They raced ahead as we walked the block.
It took a while to traverse the 40 acre fence line,
Then zig-zag through the centre.
Past the half-full dam,
Through the ironbark trees,
Disturbing a few kangaroos
Resting in the shade,
Sheltering from the midday sun.
The dogs chased a goanna
Up the nearest and tallest tree.
As we approach the rocky outcrop
The carcass caught my attention.
The dogs raced over to inspect and sniff.
It was only a black and white hide
And two leg bones.
No skull, ribs or spine.
Taken by dingoes,
Or stray domestic dogs
Let go wild.
No smell assailed me,
The carcass picked clean.
I hadn't seen that steer for weeks,
I guess it had been dead as long.
It made me wonder,
If I died while living alone,
How long would it take,
For anyone to miss me?
jacksmumontherun.wordpress.com
© 2014 John Hansen
Comments
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 18, 2015:
Thank you Kim, it surprises me what goes through my head sometimes.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 18, 2015:
Thank you Kim, it surprises me what goes through my head sometimes.
இڿڰۣ-- кιмвєяℓєу from Niagara Region, Canada on January 18, 2015:
Very thought provoking. I think everybody at one time or another has contemplated the end of their journey and how it would affect others. Nicely done.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on July 04, 2014:
Aw Gypsie, what a nice thing to say. Thank you.
Gypsy Rose Lee on July 04, 2014:
Jodah I enjoyed the journey. You would be missed instantly if your hubs didn't show up.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on April 03, 2014:
Thank you so much Harishprasad. I always appreciate your intelligent and insightful comments. I glad this poem had a special effect on you. I have approached the subject of death in a few of my poems recently, because it is a subject most people are uncomfortable with discussing. I am trying to cover as many aspects of life and death in as many different ways as I can. Thank you for the vote up too.
Harish Mamgain from New Delhi , India on April 02, 2014:
While I was on a trail reading your beautiful poetry lines, there was suspense at every step where actually you wanted us to lead ? At last, the epiphany combined with your bold question made my mind blown from all sides. Your question is straight from the deepest recesses of your heart which evoked such a great empathy for the deceased deer that you encountered on your way while walking your dear dogs. John, I have been reading most of your poems and relished all of them with all my heart but this one was laced with a different kind of flavor. How many poets dare write with such frankness while dealing with the question of life and death ? I loved your eye-opening words in this very beautiful poetry. Voted up.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on April 02, 2014:
Thank you for your kind comments Theresa. Much appreciated. Yes, a agree with you that most of my poetry does also end in a "contemplative or philosophical vein" also. I am usually trying to get some message across or make my readers think deeper about something. I wonder if there is a name for our type of poetry.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on April 02, 2014:
Thank you Audrey, yes I agree that dogs add another dimension to a walk in nature. They always find something interesting that you'd miss if walking alone.
Theresa Ast from Atlanta, Georgia on April 02, 2014:
Jodah - The lead picture is amazing and I really like the poem. I really like the philosophical turn it took at the end -- relating the facts and events of nature to issues of how we live and die. Very striking.
Recently my School Dean agreed to read some of my poetry and write a book blurb for it. He said some nice things, but then he said something about me usually ending my poems in a "contemplative or philosophical vein." I had never thought about it like that before. I think you do that as well, and I like it. Theresa
Audrey Howitt from California on April 02, 2014:
So much enjoyed this John! I love walking out in the agriculture with my dog! You never know what she will turn up!
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on February 11, 2014:
Thanks so much Ann, I'm glad you enjoyed this poem. Yes, we all need to be observant of everything around us. I think a photographer is more attuned at taking everything in than many of us. There is so much wonder and beauty in the world. Have a great day photographing, but take care with the floods. I saw that on TV, not good. I probably see a Gianna about once per week..lol.
Ann Carr from SW England on February 11, 2014:
Great read about a wander through the bush; amazing what you can find! I love looking for details, large and small, when out for a walk, especially with my grandchildren. The oldest (13) is a keen photographer and she has a great eye for the unusual; it's half-term here next week so we're having a day out photographing the area (but we'll keep away from the floods!).
I've only once seen a goanna. It crossed our path as we walked around the outskirts of Perth a few years ago - wonderful!
I greatly enjoyed reading this. Ann
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on February 05, 2014:
Thanks so much for reading and your kind comments Cris. Yes, I sure did miss you, and yes getting in touch with nature does make you reflect on life etc. Hope you are back on board now. I saw a couple of your comments on other hubs and was hoping you were back. We have to make a living in the real world though don't we? Anyway thanks for the vote up pin and share.
CrisSp from Sky Is The Limit Adventure on February 05, 2014:
You certainly left me with some thoughts to ponder after reading this beautiful hub. Why when we get in touch with nature our inner thoughts always speaks of something profound that is more often hard to explain?
I was quite away making a living outside HP and I wonder, did anyone notice my absence. Just a thought....
This is very creative and beautifully penned. Up, pinning and sharing.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on February 01, 2014:
Thanks Alicia, yes that's true. though I guess most don't like to consider that unless they have to. Glad you found the twist at the end interesting.
Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on February 01, 2014:
This is an interesting poem with a very thought provoking comment at the end, Jodah. I'm sure that question has occurred to many people as they think about their own lives, especially if they live alone.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on February 01, 2014:
Thank you for your kind comment DDE. Yes I feel everyone should include some outdoor activity and adventure in their life. Thanks for reading.
Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on February 01, 2014:
A Walk In The Bush (A Matter of Life and Death) is a beautifully written and shared hub. Outdoor adventures is a great way to think and be free from all
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Thank you for reading Cat. Great to hear your observations and yes you are right it isn't common, though it does happen. I have heard of elderly people in apartment blocks in the city who have passed and it is weeks before anyone finds them, because they usually kept to themselves. I guess they are people who have no family though, or close friends. I'm glad you'd miss me.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Thanks so much Phyllis for the generous comments. I will take note of your suggestions and see what I can do.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Thank you Eric. it's not a nice thing to think about it, but we do have to consider the possibilities.
Catherine Tally from Los Angeles on January 31, 2014:
Interesting observations from your walk and well expressed in your creative poetry. I think we all fear dying alone and unnoticed, but it is rare except for the hermit. You would be missed right away!
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Thank you Flourish, for your kind comments and good advice. I know you are right and I will mae a few changes here and in my future poetry hubs to try to make them more 'evergreen'. :)
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Thanks for the lovely comment Nellieanna, yes you'd certainly be missed and the comments here are convincing me I would too. Hugs back.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Hey Jackie, I think some of your comment got lost, but I'm sure he was a great dog.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Than you for reading MsDora. Yes we all have to think about it, and I ntend to keep writing. Have a great day.
Phyllis Doyle Burns from High desert of Nevada. on January 31, 2014:
FlourishAway and Jodah: I agree with the suggestions FA has written. My stand-alone poems did not do as well as the ones where I added some information/facts related to the main topic of the poem. Hence, my Lavender Nostalgia poem and Walking On The Dark Side are my top two poems in terms of views, score, and earnings. I also agree that this Walking In The Bush poem is great and very well-written, for it pulls the reader right into your walk and gives a clear image of the surroundings in the bush. Well done, Jodah.
Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on January 31, 2014:
I do a lot of hiking alone. This thought definitely hits me from time to time. Great Hub!
Elaina Baker from USA on January 31, 2014:
What a great poem. I enjoyed reading it very much, especially the twist at the end.
Recently you were looking for ways to increase traffic. Just a few ideas, although *I find nothing wrong with poetry for its own sake*. For this poem, for example, you might do a side bar about the process and timeline of decay or facts about dingoes (or other specific animals that other countries don't have) and change the title to something broader so that the poem is more SEO friendly. I've written one or two hubs that contain embedden poems as sidebars. I also have one hub with a stand-alone poem. (My standalone poem does very poorly compared to the others, probably because I did not follow my own recommendations here. It also pulls down my average Hub scores.)
Again, I like your poetry for its own sake, and these ideas are simply in response to your forum post. You're a superb writer, and I want to help you in any way I can, John.
Nellieanna Hay from TEXAS on January 31, 2014:
What a lovely, touching story! How relieved I was that it had a happy ending. Your last question fits my situation so well, but I think I'd be missed and I know that you would be! Thank you for sharing that poem and the story. Hugs.
Jackie Lynnley from the beautiful south on January 31, 2014:
Someone gave him to me and he was grown but we loved him, he was a great dog.
Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on January 31, 2014:
Jodah, your ending shocked me; but the truth is,we do get similar shocks in real life. Not for you, though! Keep writing!
Jane Arden on January 31, 2014:
I KNEW it!
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Thanks for stopping by Mel, yes my little piece of Heaven. I never take nature for granted and really miss it when I have to stay in town. Thanks for the great comment. It reminds me I have to go read a few more of your hubs too.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Hopefully not Bill, I'm not intending for that to happen anyway. Thanks mate, you have a great one too.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Great to see you Jane, and thanks for that wonderful comments. Yes it's weird what strange thoughts you ponder at times. If one of us disappears from here I know we are missed but would anyone try to make the effort to find out what happened, or think "oh, he probably just went to another writing site where he could make more money...etc"? Anyway, this was a true story that happened to me yesterday only a few hours before I wrote it. Thanks again.
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on January 31, 2014:
Well let's hope we never have to find out the answer to your last question. :) Love your poetry, John. Well done, mate; have a great weekend.
Jane Arden on January 31, 2014:
((If I died while living alone,
How long would it take,
For anyone to miss me?))
Woe. How poignant. We would miss you immediately on here. It is surreal though this Internet relationships. If we do disappear - its all left in the unknown. Was it real this experience John? I felt as though it was. But that's a key to a really good writer isn't it. To sound authentic. I'm now picturing you with those beautiful canines. Again such sublime words coming from Jodah's heart.
Mel Carriere from Snowbound and down in Northern Colorado on January 31, 2014:
Sounds like a fascinating place, your own little Walden Pond where you commune with nature on a daily basis. Heat work!
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Thank you Joelle, Somglad you enjoyed this poem and the song. Yes our animals are quite unique, and it would have been totally different creatures if it was set in Canada. The world is so diverse. Hope you have a great weekend too.
kidscrafts from Ottawa, Canada on January 31, 2014:
Great poem, John! I was thinking that if I had to write this here the animals would be different :-) Our Earth is so interesting and diverse; what a beautiful place to be and to explore! I can't wait to go to Australia and see kangaroos, koalas, dingoes and many other animals not known in our part of the Earth! Thank you for sharing!
Have a great weekend!
PS : I love the song; beautiful story that ended well :-)
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Thank you Jo for your generous comment. I'm glad you enjoyed this poem and the images. I'm starting to feel I may be missed...lol.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Oh Eddy, thank you for saying such kind things. It is always a pleasure to read your hubs and to have you visit mine. You have a great day too.
Jo Alexis-Hagues from Lincolnshire, U.K on January 31, 2014:
Jodah, a very sobering thought, but in your case, I don't think it would be too long before you're missed. Brilliant poem, loved the images.
Eiddwen from Wales on January 31, 2014:
Oh Jodah what a heart rending creation.I can only repeat what's already been said and you would be missed instantly.You are one of my most recent followers/friends and its always a pleasure to see you called by. Have a great day .
Eddy.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 31, 2014:
Thank you for visiting Tony, and your great comment. Yes It's a good place to live.
Tony DeLorger from Adelaide, South Australia on January 31, 2014:
Wonderful images of our Australia, and aren't we all glad to be living here. Well done John; great wright.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 30, 2014:
Thanks Frank, I always appreciate your comment. It's a good point, who would find me..hmm?
Frank Atanacio from Shelton on January 30, 2014:
problems for the elders.. most who live alone die and are discovered several days after they go.. sad.. but that would have made me think about who would find me if I lived alone :) good work
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 30, 2014:
Thank you for your comment Dream On. Yes, you are right, we need to make the most of every day, the good and the bad. Life is always interesting if we appreciate everything around us.
DREAM ON on January 30, 2014:
I love your pictures and your dogs.What an interesting topic.I know for sure you leave a great impression that will carry on long after your gone.Life can be funny and sad all in the same day.I will never figure it out.So lets make today a Great day!Then we have nothing to worry about.
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 30, 2014:
Thanks for the vote up Jackie. Yes, I guess they would...but how long would it take them to realize, that is the question...lol? Really, you had a dingo? tell me more.
Jackie Lynnley from the beautiful south on January 30, 2014:
I am sure the kids would miss you greatly just judging by how I miss my parents. They leave us when we are only getting to understand them and know all those words we resented at times came from love. Interesting read. I use to have a dingo several years ago. ^+
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 30, 2014:
Yes Faith, it's weird the things that initiate such thoughts. Funny, that you'd care what people thought about your wardrobe when you're gone, but hey. Thanks for your kind comment, glad I would be missed.
Faith Reaper from southern USA on January 30, 2014:
Awesome poem and interesting too! I was just thinking about such except I was cleaning out my closet and got rid of anything in case I died and someone would look in there and say oh my ...she wore that!!! Lol ...funny the things that go through our minds. You would be missed right away! Up and more and sharing. Blessings, Faith Reaper
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 30, 2014:
So true David...lol. Thanks for reading and your kind comment.
David Carl from New York on January 30, 2014:
You are prepared for a 4 dog night if you get lost out there in the cold. Good work!
David Carl
John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 30, 2014:
Aw Phyllis, what a sweet thing to say. Thanks for reading and your great comment.
Phyllis Doyle Burns from High desert of Nevada. on January 30, 2014:
I believe we would know the first day you had gone missing, Jodah. You are a great part of this community and we would miss you right away. Nice poem. I enjoyed reading it.
