[isabeats]

I have been trying to track down a story I once read, but I can't remember the title or the author. It's about a man who lives in a city, and one day on a walk (by the railroad tracks, I think) he discovers a path that leads to a rural area somehow hidden in the depths of the city. When he tries to find it again, he can't, though years later he accidently finds it again. The word "green" MAY be in the title. I have looked through every single anthology at about 20 area libraries and just can't find this story. if anyone can help, I'd be very glad!

[isabeats]

Nothing, eh? I'm beginning to wonder if this story was just a long, detailed dream!

[Severn]

Sorry we haven't been able to help so far Isabeats. :(

If no one sheds light on it for you here, I hope you do find it one day.

[isabeats]

Oh, Severn Severn! Speak so slightly!
Severn, down on your bended knee!
Taste the whip, in love not given lightly!
Taste the whip, now plead for me!

Alas! Must all hope be given up? I think I will return to the Joy Division videos at YouTube for the evening...

[Severn]

A song in my honour! Even if slightly amended, I'm blessed. :D

[isabeats]

Okay! Today is my birthday and all I want is to find out who wrote this story!

[Bluestar]

Do you remember any names or expressions that could help? What was the character's job? What was the name of the city?

[suciul]

RC Wilson has a similar story set in Toronto, The Inner Inner City collected in his anthology The Perseids and Other Stories; do not know if that's the one you want though...

[isabeats]

Thanks, Bluestar and Suciul. I only remember that it was a short story and that it's style was rather elegant. And I think the title has the word "green" in it. I read it in an anthology and have gone through my own collection very thoroughly. And I've checked every single fantasy/ghosts/supernatural anthology at all the libraries I use. But no luck. Now I'm wondering if this story was may have been from a more mainstream anthology or even a mysteries anthology, since I read those too. I loved the story and I remember thinking how I would definately reread it- I must have thought it would be easy to do so... yet years have now passed!
I'm sure I didn't dream it, because it is too detailed. Though I DID once write a silly poem in a dream and remembered it when I woke up. I even wrote it down. Here the stupid thing is:

My name is Elizabeth Taylor
I say it loud and clear
I married Richard Burton
But was in love with Richard Gere.

What's weird is that I couldn't care less about any of these people!

Suciul, I'll check out that book because it sounds intriguing, but I don't think it's this particular story...

I'll keep looking. Thanks.

[isabeats]

Here is the most detailed description of this story I can remember:

This man lives in a city and often takes walks. One day he accidentally finds a path that leads to a track (possibly old abandoned railroad tracks or an abandoned road) that runs through a natural area, very quiet and peaceful. he can't understand how such an area could remain hidden in the city. Later, he tries to find this walk again and can't. He looks and looks, without luck. Then many years later, he again stumbles upon it.

There is, I believe, a bit of a love story involved. He may have met a woman on the original walk. I can't recall, but that idea keeps nagging at me.

My advice: if you ever come across a story you love but don't own, xerox it or write down the author and title. Otherwise, you may be endlessly searching for a story about a man endlessly searching for a road...