walking knowledge

what is to be gained in knowledge
from walking long distances???

today i walked about 7 miles in
the central minnesota countryside
and as i walked i let my thoughts
wander with my eyes

as i sit here to type i doubt that
i can recall anything i may have thought
along the way

i checked out some sites
for possible wild grape harvesting
and remembered some excursions
for that very purpose with a
holy old monk in my early years
in the monstery

on the first mile i encountered some
people walking in the opposite direction
walking for exercise
which was only a minor component
of my intention to go out walking

i met a young woman whom i know
have known since i was a college student
she informed me of her new marriage
and invited me to a little
party acknowledging the fact
yet i had heard of this marriage already
however she conveyed to me the
certainty of it in no uncertain terms

to walk is a way of exercising the mind
a way of allowing the mind some freedom
i place a higher priority
on mental health than on physical exercise
the modern american preoccupation reeks
of rationalistic ideology

i am willing to suggest that to cease
from the diligent activity of knowing
is a way of knowing in itself
the mind
being granted the permission to
seek nothing save for the end of the walk
is allowed to relax and strive
for the contentment
which completion will bring about

i learned that 7 miles is not as easy
as it once was

i also have determined to repeat this walk
in the not too distant future

long relatively purposeless walks
now that's livin