Walk Poem

The walk poem involves a walk. The interesting thing is that there are so many ways for the walk to be a part of the poem, and the poem to be a part of the walk. There are at least four basic types of walk poems, of which there are a great many variations and blends:

a.       A poem about what the poet sees during a particular walk.

b.      A poem about a walk that produces a revelation of some kind.

c.       A poem whose length, style, and shape mirror the length, style, and shape of the walk.

d.   A poem that reflects the way the mind works during the walk. (When you are out walking, the mind flows somewhat differently than it does when you are sitting at home.)

No single poem fully represents all these types and their variations, but this one gives the general sense of the genre:

A Late Walk – Robert Frost

When I go up through the mowing field,
The headless aftermath,
Smooth-laid like thatch with the heavy dew,
Half closes the garden path.

And when I come to the garden ground,
The whir of sober birds
Up from the tangle of withered weeds
Is sadder than any words

A tree beside the wall stands bare,
But a leaf that lingered brown,
Disturbed, I doubt not, by my thought,
Comes softly rattling down.

I end not far from my going forth
By picking the faded blue
Of the last remaining aster flower
To carry again to you.

Your final poem should be a minimum of 20 meaningful lines (the influence of the walk should be apparent).