Poet · Author · Walden Ridge, Tennessee
Poems & Other Musings
From Walden Ridge
Eco-spiritual poetry inspired by life on a mountain.
I sit and chat with my tall, tall friends,
who sway and dance in gentle winds.
My voice and theirs would not be heard.
Our visit needs not the spoken word.
As we embrace in quiet contemplation,
I cherish our symbiotic relation.
D. E. Johnston, from Poems & Other Musings From Walden Ridge
The collections
Two books from the ridge
Poems & Other Musings From Walden Ridge
Inspired by the likes of Frost, Thoreau, Kilmer, and Berry; this collection of Poems & Other Musings came to be through a lifetime spent in the mountains, forests, and lakes of America and the move to a ten-acre wooded, mountain sanctuary on Walden Ridge in Tennessee.
Celebrating our connection to nature, both spiritually and physically, the poet seeks to create an atmosphere for reflection of our place within the greater scheme of life amongst the trees and mountains of our world. Best enjoyed during a day in the woods or on a rainy afternoon!
More Poems & Other Musings from Walden Ridge
An invitation to explore the spiritual connection to forests, mountains and rivers. Another glimpse into life on Walden Ridge, where time moves slowly and the music of nature is ever-present.
A poem
The Traveler
He traipsed a darkened, wooded way
and met a man from yesterday.
He felt he knew this stranger well
with stories known and yet to tell.
“I am you,” the traveler said,
with gentle eyes and tilted head.
“From lives long past, your spirit’s youth,
I’ve come to help you know the truth.”
“You see, our journey spans all time,
to seek the reason and the rhyme.
We live each life for wisdom gained,
discarding husks, when learning wanes.”
“We travel forth, the truth be told,
until we know the cosmic whole.”
With that, the spirit turned and went.
The man remained, in wonderment.
He sat in silence for a while,
then rose and passed the eve beguiled.
He smelled the earth, he felt the breeze,
then disappeared amongst the trees.
D. E. Johnston
Where the poems come from
Ten acres on Walden Ridge
The poems are written on a wooded mountain sanctuary on Walden Ridge, in the mountains of East Tennessee. The view on both covers is the view from the ridge: sunrise over the valley fog, bare trees against the light.
Inspired by writers who found something sacred in the woods:
- Frost
- Thoreau
- Kilmer
- Berry
About the poet
D. E. Johnston
D. E. Johnston is an avid hiker and nature enthusiast who has spent a lifetime connecting to forests and mountain life, both physically and spiritually.
He has hiked throughout the U.S. and Europe, and most enjoys time spent in the mountains of East Tennessee.
Find his books on Amazon, or meet him in person at his book table.
Readings · Events · Books
Get in touch
For readings, book events, or questions about the books, send a note.
- Website
- de-johnston.orkisgroup.com
- dejohnstonpoet@gmail.com
- @dejohnstonpoet
- Books
- D. E. Johnston on Amazon