Inspirational Motivational Poem -- My Path In the Woods -- Carve Your Own Path -- Get Off the Beaten Path

MY PATH IN THE WOODS 

I went for a walk

after the snow

and I knew others had been there before

for the path I was on

was well beaten down

and it held my attention

no more

For the path well-trod

leads to despair

and is surfaced with dusty schemes

The path I prefer

I'll carve it myself

and pave it with elegant dreams

Yes

I once walked there

on the path well-trod

but my footprints I never could find

for they were all mixed and mingled therein

with the others

I walked behind

So I left the path

and I walked in the woods

and when I turned I could see

the most beautiful trail there in the snow

created only by me

My trail wasn't straight

nor was it wide

it wandered where ever I pleased

but the beauty I saw

could never be seen

from that well-trod path through the trees

Alone in the woods

I shed a tear

and gave the Lord thanks that day

for just one thing He gave to me

-the courage

to break away

But the tear that I shed

wasn't really for me

‘twas for the many who fear to be free

from the well-trod path

that shackles their souls

and shrouds their destiny

For on the well-trod path

nothing can grow

save for a few dusty schemes

But on the trail you carve yourself

you'll find

 

MARTY RICKARD BIO   

            Marty RicKard attended William Penn College, Iowa State University and University of Southern Mississippi, from which he holds a BS degree in journalism and photojournalism.  He also has a Masters Degree in photography.  Marty was a technical writer for White Motor Company, and has worked for the Charles City Press, Mason City Globe-Gazette, and Davenport Times-Democrat.  He owned New Sharon Star, where he was twice named Iowa Master Columnist.  For ten years, Marty's regular column appeared in the Professional Photographer magazine.  He has been published in many other magazines, including Golf Digest, Resource Magazine, Picture, Range Finder, and Darkroom. In addition to his writing credits, Marty has won numerous photography awards, has lectured in 48 states, and has traveled internationally as lecturer, and judge.  He was one of thirty from the U.S. to participate in the first cultural exchange with China in 1986. He was a regular columnist for Lens Magazine, and is full-time writer of fiction and poetry.  He has published three books.

» left by Susan Thom

4 years 98 days ago.
175 fans.

hi marty, i am grateful that joing this site has exposed me to poetry again. i haven't dealt with poetry for many years. i loved your piece, and could relate quite well. it was beautifully written, with a beautiful message. thank you for sharing such beauty and warmth, best regards, sue thom

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» left by 4 years 98 days ago.

Thanks, Susan: I appreciate your comments and your good work, which I love to read. Marty

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» left by e

4 years 98 days ago.
132 fans.

Nice piece, Marty. e

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» left by 4 years 98 days ago.

Dear Mr. Rock: Thanks for the nice comment. I am a fan of your work also. Marty

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» left by Jessie Eldora

4 years 97 days ago.
20 fans.

Just love it! I can relate to it. Nice to see poems on here.

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» left by 4 years 97 days ago.

Dear Jessie: Thanks for your nice comments. Marty RicKard

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» left by Judi Lake

4 years 97 days ago.
99 fans. Follow Judi Lake on twitter!

Marty, I enjoy your work so much; this especially moved me tremendously. You are truly gifted!

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» left by 4 years 97 days ago.

Dear Judi: Thank you. I enjoy your strong Christian voice, also. Marty RicKard

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» left by Ben Jones

4 years 97 days ago.
71 fans.

Marty, well done, an enjoyable poem to read and relate that has a clear strong voice and some wisdom thrown in for measure. Cheers, Ben.

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» left by 4 years 97 days ago.

Dear Ben: Carving my own path has always worked for me. Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for joining my Fan Club. Best, Marty RicKard

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» left by dave....

from ca 4 years 90 days ago.

Nice poem. "Wish I had writen it."

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» left by william p

from bc 4 years 84 days ago.

can-t tell u how much i loved this.

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» left by marcia balthazar

from fl 2 years 317 days ago.

beautiful poem and very inspiring

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» left by Marty RicKard 2 years 317 days ago.
64 fans.

Dear Marcia:  Thanks for your nice comments.  I hope your path is filled with joy.  God Bless, Marty RicKard

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» left by Sharon Misuraco

from WI 1 year 262 days ago.

Dear Marty, 5 years ago, I named my jewelry business, "Off theBeadin' Path". Now I'm starting a blog and wanted to use a couple lines of poetry about beaten paths, so I found you! I don't know how this works, but thought I would ask you if I could use the last stanza of your beautiful poem for the introduction to my blog, with proper credit written according to your direction? Thank you. Sharon M.

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