“Just a little bit wild” touched me deeply. I feel like you could’ve written it about me. I was wild when I was young. It was slowly and systematically stifled out of me, but I’m working on getting that wildness back. It’s a long lost part of myself that I love.
I grew up in rural Alaska and I ran free in the wilderness with my siblings and neighborhood kids. It was wonderful and I’ve had the joy of watching my son grow up the same way. But I made sure to stoke and nurture his wildness, never stifle it. Now, at the age of 16, he spends his weekends venturing into the mountains with his best friend to sleep in hammocks, build open fires to cook their dinner over, explore and be wild.
This poem reminded me of what a gift it is to be allowed be free and wild. Sometimes I’m tempted to pull him back towards me and “keep him safe”, but that’s not what he needs. He needs to be wild.
My son was glued to the screen and we sent him to work at an eco-conscious camp. Keeping someone too safe can lead to taking away their sense of autonomy and choice. Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with your son and that you are on a powerful journey.
Everything I’ve read in my inbox this morning is pointing me toward this theme. *Listening to both of these poems made all the difference. I just love the rhythm of the first. And I so desperately want to accept the invitation of the second.
Really lovely. I like that idea of being allowed a space (the woods) to feel wild - especially with that photo from the 90s.
Beautiful! I love wildthing!!
Thank you! Me, too.
“Just a little bit wild” touched me deeply. I feel like you could’ve written it about me. I was wild when I was young. It was slowly and systematically stifled out of me, but I’m working on getting that wildness back. It’s a long lost part of myself that I love.
I grew up in rural Alaska and I ran free in the wilderness with my siblings and neighborhood kids. It was wonderful and I’ve had the joy of watching my son grow up the same way. But I made sure to stoke and nurture his wildness, never stifle it. Now, at the age of 16, he spends his weekends venturing into the mountains with his best friend to sleep in hammocks, build open fires to cook their dinner over, explore and be wild.
This poem reminded me of what a gift it is to be allowed be free and wild. Sometimes I’m tempted to pull him back towards me and “keep him safe”, but that’s not what he needs. He needs to be wild.
Thank you. So beautiful!
Thank you!
My son was glued to the screen and we sent him to work at an eco-conscious camp. Keeping someone too safe can lead to taking away their sense of autonomy and choice. Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with your son and that you are on a powerful journey.
Everything I’ve read in my inbox this morning is pointing me toward this theme. *Listening to both of these poems made all the difference. I just love the rhythm of the first. And I so desperately want to accept the invitation of the second.
Thank you. What comes to mind when you think of wild?