Kisatchie National Forest, LA : a weekend of lessons

I finally got to go camping in Louisiana, during Easter weekend at Kisatchie National Forest. Boasting more than 600 000 acres, this place was sure to tickle my camping fancy. There's not much I enjoy more than camping out in the wilderness. Forget the well laid-out campgrounds. I want to be in the middle of nowhere, where I can find myself once again. I want to hear the wind in the trees and the birds (and the bees). After a rough couple weeks of unexpected news (which is always followed by questions of: what do I want in life?, etc) this retreat was needed. Hikes, gourmet camp food, hot sun, bugs, and yes - the Easter bunny found me out here!

The trees never seem to sleep. They watch over us as we drift off into slumber. Although I was very tired as I lay curled up in a sleeping bag, my mind suddenly became very clear, and I knew I had to write.

The full moon was lighting up the sky and creating beautiful silhouettes for me 

throught the tent's netting:

Darkness

The forest is a desert

whose silence makes

the crickets blare

symphonies of

Reminders.

And forces you to look into

the cold shadows

of your heart.

Tree limbs stretched

out above your head

Not judging you but

patiently showing

you what you're

choosing.

to ignore.

The moon 

watches you

over you

It can teach you

more enlightening things

about yourself

Than the Sun ever could

Because when the moon arrives

at night,

It shuts off the lights of the World

and achingly shines

its spotlight on your

Earthly self.

There's nowhere to hide

in the Darkness.

April 8th 2012. GT. Kisatchie.