A Simple Gift

Appalacian Mountains
Image by Jody Claborn (Flickr)

When the cacophony overwhelms, I soar like an eagle above the Appalachian Mountains.

It’s golden hour and the landscape glows. Film-makers squirm with jealousy to be missing out.

At first, the continual drone of the wind drowns out everything. Then I become acclimatised. There is a peacefulness in the monotony.

The trees are resinous, fresh, clean, content. They do not have worries, concerns. They talk of sap, birds, worms and wet.

I slow my flight. There, above the verdant wash, a piece of barren mountain. Falcons pause in this place, surveying their territory. Today it’s just for me.

I land there to stare. These mountains are a carbuncle on Earth’s shoulder. She’s looking towards the sun in anticipation of the evening to come. She’s taking a meditative breath as messy, multitudinous life swarms on her with doing.

I take a breath, inhaling Appalachian musk as my friend, the Earth, pirouettes. She who looks for the moon is a ballerina on a music box.

The insects symphonise, serenade, sound their instinct, and amid their wild allegro, I feel, just for a moment, serenity.

Crescendo to match the settling dusk, and then utter silence. Nothing dares intrude its voice.

For here, here is the sacred hour.

The daydream is a simple gift.

Flash Response to The Adventurer

Writing begun 31-03-23 | 210 words

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