Doing Walking

Unforced Movement
Moving without trying to improve anything.

I noticed today
that more cacti have grown
since all the snow fell
a few days ago.

I thought that was strange
because I always thought
cactus grow
where there is limited moisture.

I saw a bird
on top of a tall twig again.

I keep thinking
the twig should not carry
the weight of the bird.

But it did.

Mostly though,
I thought about
the act of walking itself.

The other day
someone asked,
“Do you like walking?”

It caught me off guard.

I said,
“I think so.”

Today though,
I figured out
that I “do walking”

because there is no emotion
tied to it anymore for me.

No expectations.
No judgment.
No joy.
No taking it for granted.

No feeling "grateful you can still walk at your age".
No disappointment.
No excitement.
No motivation.
No anxiety.
No purpose.

Nothing.

The act of walking
takes no room
on my already full plate
of life’s emotions.

For that,
I am grateful.

Trail head
to trail head
and home.