Morning Peaks

A woman goes through her preparation to climb a goading mountain. Part of the #BePositiveWriteNow First Sentence project

“Rise and shine, I love this morning,” I muttered to myself on the balcony deep in the shadow of the mountains, majestically towering overhead. “Because this is the morning I go up there.”

My eyes cast upwards towards the peaks; the sun was already showing a little shoulder on its way to its regular place in the sky.  It threw shadows around in a kaleidoscope of grey giving the landscape a dimension of uncertainty.  Who knew what was shadow and what was a dark, dangerous hole?  I didn’t, but that wasn’t putting me off.

 

I went through my usual routine.  Yoga to loosen the limbs, stretch the muscles, ease my tension and centre my focus.  Although I did this every day, this morning’s routine was even more critical. Also as I lay out on my yoga mat feeling the groove, I was aware of the mountain watching me through the window and almost antagonising me.  It felt like it too was going through preparations to receive me. 

 

I added the last few pieces to my backpack, ensuring everything was zipped and secure, ropes tied neatly, nothing left behind.  I glanced at the mountain.  A jagged slash across the mountain-face gave the impression it was laughing with a crazed smile.  Was it laughing at me?  Did it see my pack and think it was futile?  I slung it over my shoulder in cool confidence, breathed deeply, then went downstairs to eat.

I ate in silence.  There were others there, mingling about, but this was this morning.  I was in no mood to be jaunty or mix metaphors with people.  I was not going to lose my focus.

I finished the oatmeal and fruit and washed my bowl at the sink.  As I stood there, I was aware of the shadow of the mountains, dwarfing the building, making my presence almost insignificant, like I was nothing.

 

Picking my things up, I headed outside.  It was a chilly windless morning, the kind you breathe in and know anything is possible.  I felt like I could hear anything for miles around, such was the stillness.  Almost as if the world was waiting with bated breath.

 

I walked up to the base of the mountain, adjusted the straps on my backpack, tightened my gloves, and looked ahead.  I took the last gulp of my coffee - the necessary final preparation, and made the first step towards Woman v Mountain.  And I knew who was going to win. 

 

 

Author's Note

#BePositiveWriteNow project First Sentence

The first sentence of each story is written by a random instagrammer. To promote positivity and creativity within social media.