Mad Macedonian

ON TAKING A WALK: A Poem

Sometime in the 1990’s the poet Leo Dangel wrote a poem about walking called “How to Take a Walk.”
Reading it, recently, I found myself inspired to write an update.

On Taking a Walk by Kiril Kundurazieff

 

This is Car Country
Everyone will believe
You are nuts
If you go for a walk
Just to think, be alone, maybe find inspiration.
So carry a reusable shopping bag,
Pretend you are going shopping
And your walking will not
arouse suspicion.
But don’t forget to
Load the bag.
They will know
If your bag is empty.
A notepad, a pen,
Your cell phone…better yet
A REAL camera.

Walk your neighborhood,
Explore local parks and trails,
Or the streets of Downtown.
Stop often.
Look around you and
Take in your surroundings,
Listen to the activities
You never notice
From inside a vehicle.
See the Squirrel, hear the birds,
In the park.
Smell the food
As you pass the Taco Truck, 

And observe the people

Sharing the sidewalk with you,

But remember a cat
May be watching from the bushes.
When you cross the street,
And have the green,
Pause to make sure
That you are seen.
Most of all
Take pride and possession
Of your pedestrianism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whose Streets?: Some Poetic Thoughts

In 1922 Robert Frost wrote a poem, it was called "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."
It was published the following year.
This moody pondering of mortality, as this writer calls it, became one of his most revered poems.
Until recently it was not in public domain.
When I read the above article and the poem, recently, I found myself inspired to create a poem of my own.

 

WALKING THE STREETS ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY by Kiril Kundurazieff

 

Whose streets these are I think you know.
His home is in the suburbs though;
He will not see me walking here
As I daily come and go.

The commuting motorist must think it queer
To travel, by foot, far and near.
Between one’s house and work
5 days a week through all the year.

 

 

He gives his middle finger a hearty shake
To address pedestrians behavior he thinks a mistake.
The problem being
The attention to driving he fails to make.

Walking is healthy. Beauty experienced can make one weep;
So get off your butt and take the leap,
Explore your community, wide and deep.
Walk many a mile before you sleep.

 

 

Alone 3: A Poem and Essay Update with Photos

In November 2018 I undertook a walk along historic Fannin St., a walk that began at Allen's Landing, and, due to darkness and my camera batteries dying, ended at TMC Transit Center.

I took some photos and intended to return to finish my journey and take more photos.

I returned twice, the 2nd time with camera in tow.

Fannin St. is 8.3 miles in length, and one sees a lot, from historic buildings, including numerous churches, to 2 bayous, murals, inspirational sidewalk quotes, museums, a zoo, a college, statues, transit centers, hospitals, walking and cycling trails, sports and entertainment venues, and a number of restaurants and a gas station for when you need to go potty mid-walk.

The purpose of this post is to reprint my poem and essay, from November, and include the Fannin St. photos...

I hope that, by including the photos, added inspiration is given to any readers to get out and explore their community on foot.
This is something I intend to do more of now that I have a work schedule that allows me more freedom to do something more than sit at home in between work shifts.

 

ALONE 3: A Poem About Fannin St.

In the afternoon I walk
Along an historic city street; myself
Looks about, and sees busy workers, tourists and the homeless,
Each alone in their own little worlds,
The sounds of a vibrant city
All around me;

I explore and experience this scene

 

Seeing what is to see, and hearing what I can not; Conversations
of those I pass, with others and with themselves; and myself
With hands in my sweater pockets,
Smiles, tired, yet content, as
I make my way along Fannin St.

Takin' a Walk Again...A Poem

 

TAKIN' A WALK AGAIN by Kiril Kundurazieff (With humble apologies to Willie Nelson)

Takin' a walk again
Just can't wait to take a walk again
Finding creative inspiration left and right
I can't wait to take a walk again

Takin' a walk again
Seein' things that I've never seen
Visitin' places that I may never visit again
I can't wait to hit the trail again

 

Here I go, takin' a walk again
Just a wanderer headin' down the street
I'll even do so with some friends
Exploring the world around us our way

And our way is takin' a walk again

 

Takin' a walk again
It's never too early or too late to take a walk again
The health benefits will extend your life my friend
So get out and take a walk again

 

Takin' a walk again
Explorin' America on foot where I've never been
Seein' new things is always a win
I can't wait to volkssport again

 

On the trail again
Like a hobo headin' down the road
Getting lost in my surroundings
Insisting that everything's okay

I say I can't wait to take a walk again

Life got you down, don't believe you'll ever walk again
The sights and sounds will lift your spirit
So get out the house and take a walk again, break free
And hit the trail again

 

Takin' a walk again

I just can't wait to take a walk again
Notepad and camera in hand, I love it so much it's a sin

I can't wait to hit the trail again, to see what is to see
I can't wait to take a walk again

 

This bit of creative inspiration came about because my very creative writer friend, Jo Ann J. A. Jordan, of Haphazard Creative, shared the Willie Nelson original audio on her Facebook the other day.

Thank you, my friend. :-D

 

 

Alone 3: Thoughts From a "Bloomin'" Houstonian

ALONE 3: A Poem About Fannin St.

In the afternoon I  walk
Along an historic city street; myself
Looks about, and sees busy workers, tourists and the homeless,
Each alone in their own little worlds,
The sounds of a vibrant city 
All around me;
I explore and experience this scene
Seeing what is to see, and hearing what I can not; Conversations
of those I pass, with others and with themselves; and myself
With hands in my sweater pockets,
Smiles, tired, yet content, as
I make my way along Fannin St..

Get Out....A Poem About Getting Outdoors and Exploring

 While on Facebook, this morning, a status update from a friend, Molly Allman Smith, inspired a bit of writing before I head off to work.

It was a poem by an unknown author and gave me an idea for a bit of a re-write.

As I have written, before...

When I walk or bike I go where ever the spirit or even, muse moves me to plan an excursion to, or where personal needs lead me to on a shopping expedition, appointment, or other business.

I can feel just as comfortable in and inspired by, a beach, a park, and on a mountain road as in a mall, a bookstore, thrift store, grocery store, or big box store. Something in an office or at an event can inspire me as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get Out By Kiril Kundurazieff

 

Get out of your

apartment, of your

                      safe space.

Get out of the place you feel

               comfortable, of the place 

        you are alone.

Get out and go walking,

                      go for a long bike ride.

                          Be curious, be creative,

bring a pen, or a pencil, a notepad,

           and do not  forget your camera.

Go exploring, set aside your

                 worries and concerns,

and get living, dear friend.

 

 

World Poetry Day 2017: The Mad Macedonian Theme Song

Happy World Poetry Day!

So what is this day all about?

"UNESCO first adopted 21 March as World Poetry Day during its 30th General Conference in Paris in 1999, with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard.

#WorldPoetryDay is the occasion to honour poets, revive oral traditions of poetry recitals, promote the reading, writing, and teaching of poetry....

The United Nations also has a page devoted to the event, with messages, multimedia, and resources.

As they say on their page...

"Poetry reaffirms our common humanity by revealing to us that individuals, everywhere in the world, share the same questions and feelings. Poetry is the mainstay of oral tradition and, over centuries, can communicate the innermost values of diverse cultures."

I have been sharing my poetry and song on my various blogs since 2002 and never actually got around to an actual theme song that I recall; At least a piece that I called by such a name.

Let me know what you think, hee, hee!

Are You Up to Channeling Your Inner Dr. Seuss?

  Dr. Seuss would have been 113 years old on Thursday, March 2.

Dr. Seuss Day is a fun, creative way to remember the wit and fun of Dr. Seuss!

It is celebrated with funny photos, writing a silly rhyme, and many other ways!

The one time I joined in the annual celebration of this great poet, rhymer, and storyteller was in 2012 on my cat blog.

The first time I channeled my inner Seuss, though, was in 2008.

I wrote a poem based on Green Eggs and Ham.

I was mad at Dan Rather for some reason. :-D

When I was reminded, yesterday, that this fun day was fast approaching I was inspired to write new poetry to celebrate the day and encourage anyone who came across this blog to get in touch with their inner Seuss.

So, here you go, my latest effort to channel Dr, Seuss and to encourage creativity in others.

 

A Bicyclist's Lament: Houston Edition

I have lived in Houston since Sept. 2012 and traveled the streets of the city by bike the whole time, though not nearly as extensively as I have hoped.

I have shared my bike rides and also shared my thoughts on cycling in Houston...

"Houston, you are a huge ol’ place, you cover a lot of ground. You started small, but now you have grown so big that motor vehicles compete to make the loudest sound.  It’s said you give bicyclists lots of space to ride around alongside bayous, large and small.

Multi-use trails do abound but I ask, is that all? Is that the only option for me to saddle up and pedal toward? Can I also safely share the road with motorists and trust my precious life on your many, varied, city streets?"

In Sept. 2013, In response to the article “Helping Mass Transit, Bicycles Work Together” (Houston Chronicle Print Ed.), AKA "Bike-bus syncing an uphill climb, but getting there", by Dug Begley,  I wrote an essay from the perspective of a life-long bicycle commuter and user of mass transit who has never driven a car.

The piece was never published by the paper and I have no idea if Begley ever read it.

The Cycling Dude Responds to Dug Begley on Bike Commuting in Houston

In May 2007 I went on a Ride of Silence in the OC, shared photos and shared a poem I wrote ( With sincere apologies to Francis Henry Maynard, Arlo Guthrie, and the short song The Streets of Laredo. )

This morning I decided to do a long overdue re-write in honor of my cycling life in Houston.

Thanksgiving 2016: Peddling Positivity Poetically

 

 

Thanks for the inspiration goes to the Facebook page "Dodinsky" and this posting.

 

This piece is dedicated to the memory of my old faithful, Cleopatra, and all the adventures we shared with each other over the years.

I currently have no pannier, or odometer and my current bike (an old, refurbished, bike that has seen better days) is in no condition to do a century, though 7 to 15 miles a day (what my one way or round trip work commute is) are manageable.

My cell phone camera is not suited for the type of photography I have long been known for on my various blogs over the years.

This image and poem express my hopes for the future and a return, someday, to the type of cycling adventures I have long been known for going back to 2003.

The Cycling Dude