Simple Life Of Solitude

Simple Life Of Solitude
© Surazeus
2026 06 10

I shall go out to field of tangled briars 
to build myself small hut from bones of birds, 
and there with brave attention of the wind 
begin grand process of devouring myself, 
so I may gaze with passion of the oak 
at image of my soul in Walden Pond. 

Lounging on front porch of the small wood cabin, 
which they erected beside Walden Pond, 
Henry Thoreau and his walking companion, 
William Channing, sip hot herbal tisanes 
that they brew from pine needles and mint, 
and chat about philosophy of life. 

Because the complex rituals of our lives 
are frittered away by involved details 
that lure our progress into labyrinths 
of trivial necessity through care, 
we must eradicate tangled obligations 
and simplify slate of our daily tasks. 

If one man who follows preordained paths, 
assigned by social duty of his state, 
cannot keep strict pace with his companions, 
perhaps he hears beat of another drummer, 
so let him step to music which he hears 
however boldly measured or far away. 

Thus I proceed with confidence of faith 
in clear direction of my secret dreams 
to live this simple life of solitude 
that I imagine while I ponder fate, 
for the great characteristic of wisdom 
is to abstain from doing desperate things. 

When I observe human society 
I see thousands hacking at branches of evil, 
while one who sees what he is looking for 
strikes at deep roots of selfish greed and hate 
that foments strife through jealousy and fear 
with action that obstructs destructive deeds. 

However mean and poor your life may seem, 
meet circumstance with passion of respect, 
and do not shun its most difficult events, 
for fault-finders find fear in paradise 
while thrill-seekers find elation in hell, 
for it is better to serve than to reign. 

When dawn gleams gold on sheen of Walden Pond, 
Henry and William eat sweet hasty-pudding 
of cornmeal, molasses, ginger, and milk, 
then set out down the signless road of hope 
on yet another vigorous walk-and-talk 
with goal to climb rugged Mount Monadnock.