Straight is the line of Duty
Curved is the line of Beauty
Follow the straight line, thou shalt see
The curved line ever follow thee
WILLIAM MACCALL
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
JOHNNY CASH
Horizontals ...
... and verticals ...
... on the Viking Way ...
Sometimes two lines intersect and you have to make a choice: either the public bridleway or the restricted byway. Wonder which way I'll choose today? Will I make the same choice tomorrow? (Don't you think the restricted byway sounds more exciting?)
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
and sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
and looked down one as far as I could
to where it bent in the undergrowth
and sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
and looked down one as far as I could
to where it bent in the undergrowth
21 comments:
I always enjoy reading about the lines you tread Robert. I've always preferred the road less travelled - twisted my 'ankle' too many times trying to walk in other people's foot tracks.
A very creative set-up for your post btw.
The Viking way is so inviting. Normally my feet seek wild animal ways . . .
Thanks, Bonnie, and nice to hear from you. So true about the potential pitfalls in following the tracks of others ...
... and Arija, me too, I gravitate to those wild animal ways. Though the cows in the pic were quite docile and plodding, I must admit.
Separated by a common language. Is Restricted Byway a nice way of saying KEEP OUT? or PRIVATE? or Walkers Only? No Bicycles? Horses Only? (I may in some unplanned future time walk in your country, so not a random question).
I am a great Robert Frost fan and your post reminded me of his poetry long before I reached the bit at the end Robert. We all have roads not taken and the older we get the more there are - and the regrest to go with them too. Someetimes I think of making a list, but then I think it would be too depressing.
Nice to see Johnny Cash turn up in what in such a "British" setting!
Beautiful conjunction of words and images here, Robert. I'm with Bonnie here; it's the untrampled byways for me every time.
Great idea for a post (and now I have Johnny Cash stuck in my head.)I'm the kind of person who usually needs that extra push to take the "restricted" route, but it's usually with it.
Ralph (Timecheck): technically, a bridleway is open to horse riders and pedestrians only, whereas a restricted byway also allows cyclists and horse-drawn carriages (but no motorised vehicles). So, ironically, despite 'restricted byway' sounding the more exotic and least frequented, it's in fact potentially the busier route.
Pat (Weaver of Grass): yes, I love that poem. I think you're right not to make a list. The past is dead; long live the present and future, with all their exciting choices.
Johnny Cash can turn up anywhere and be welcome as far as I'm concerned, Goat! (I really like those 'American Trilogy' albums ...)
And thanks, Elizabeth and Grace, for your comments!
beautiful post!
I confess that I would travel a path through a field or wood rather than plow my own. But a path through a field is preferable to a road. So I don't know how that categorizes me.
This is a creative post, with your horizontals and verticals. I love it.
Thanks, Andressa ...
... and Ruth, you are, of course, uncategorisable, thank God.
We take part in the stewardship scheme Robert, but unfortunately our fields are too small to leave a large field margin all the way round. However, we do keep our hedges in line with the scheme, leave patches of nettles, burture our woodland and our dry stone walls etc.
Thought you might like this in the spirit of Johnny Cash:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0muYIpG4eE
In my recent dream, I took the path that led straight down. It led to a mystery. Good to read:
"Follow the straight line, thou shalt see / The curved line ever follow thee."
Interesting how different a scene feels when the picture plane is changed from horizontal to vertical. In my paintings, single portraits of people tend to be vertical and landscapes horizontal. Unless there are two or more people. Or if the landscape is from a dream.
That is a magnificent new photo at the top of your blog. Nottingham?
Yes, it's a good scheme, Pat ... and thanks for the link and comment, am. The new header photo is actually of Lincoln. We live between the cities of Lincoln and Nottingham.
There are lots of horizontals down your way, as I remember it, apart from the escarpment and the Lincs Wolds.
Talking of the Wolds, when I was small, I was taken to a place in Lincolnshire known as "Bubbling Wells". Have you ever been there? I assume it's a local name for a "blow well".
O M G! I have been sprung from blogger purgatory! I can finally comment! All thanks to a link from another blogger! I can finally say I love this post! And love the Frost reference...one of my favorites.
Yes, lots of horizontals in the Trent valley, Dominic. But lots of mind-curves following me, and I following them, thank goodness.
Thanks, Karin (ksam)! Glad you are back in commenting mode.
I am a Johnny Cash fan too and i love this concept of linear trails; the Viking way has captured my imagination btw. Have been having problems leaving comments here lately but rest assured I am checking in. thanks for the fresh insights.V
I was passing through different blogs and thought id just say hello. Richard from the Amish community of Lebanon,Pa.
Thanks, Val, for dropping by, and I'm so pleased the Viking Way and the concept of linear trails has caught your imagination.
Amish Stories: Hi to you too, and thanks for the visit!
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