JOYFUL PIECE #105
Choices...
It was a downhill walk for a bit, past the dam site under construction and then a left turn…into the woods. The ascent began.
The trail quickly forked and this time I took the trail on the right. In a while I remembered the doe, long ago, struck by progress, who lay expiring by the side of the road just a few yards from where I was this morning. She lay fatally wounded, but beautiful in her tan dress. I had peered into her eyes— dark, eternal pools with waning light…and she had puzzledly looked into mine, where the memory of this moment lies embedded forever.
I stayed on this route and soon got my fill of the noise of progress rising from the road.
The trail doubled back, and I was hailed by the red-tailed hawk, high on a perch.
It was thrilling to see flowers, even in this drying weather. There are no ugly wildflowers, I think. After a while there was a fork again, and this time I veered uphill to where the sounds were birdsongs and the rustle of lizards in the bush.
As I walked, I could feel blades of grass caressing my legs. Previously on this trail, the caresses provided a bridge for chiggers to extract their toll, a reasonable fare for the beauty of the hike. Their red fare receipts are still visible on my calves. This time I hoped DEET would provide a free pass for the hike.
I walked alone. On the weekend there were hikers, hurrying to meet their cardio quotas as they talked on their phones. Too bad— I used to be like them once, and missed so much.
From 790F to 860F, I trekked through the upward sloping, winding trail.
Later, I sat down to rest and sweated beads of joy.
A very joyful and uplifting piece
You truly paint a picture with your words. I almost felt like I was there with you.
Thank you for your generous heart, Manuel! I look forward to reading you whenever you show up in my Inbox.
Have a happy holiday, and take care of yourself! <3