woods

Along the wooded path, my brother and I sat for a minute or so to collect ourselves. We had been walking for the past hour and figured this would be a good time to sit down and take in the day. The lights from the horizon bled through the aged forest and warmed our faces. We measured ourselves up intuitively towards the light and felt ourselves slip within the creases of shadows that held our secrets that we wouldn't utter. We both glanced towards one another as if to agree that it was nice to be beyond walls now.

         It was apparent that the day was changing and we felt a cool presence was about us, and I thought to call it fleeting. An energy rushed through me and my eyes widened and I saw a young deer in my perephirals. In the same instance it bounded away, leaving me with the remains. I felt inclined to move onwards and find a clearing. My brother agreed.

         Along a back ridge lined with mature pines, we scaled on uneven footing. It was not so much a problem but a challenge gladly trudged through. We walked in accordance with our surroundings, at its pace. My brother was not as nimble as me, and would tend to slip past the grounds pace and into gravity's pace, which is not as forgiving. But trudge he did, and as did I. And my spine was the ridge, and my brother was in my bones. Or at least that's how I put it at the time.

        To be beyond walls is much like it is to be beyond time. If one can accept its surroundings. Or perhaps have a dream of waking to their ceiling missing and the stars falling down into their bedrooms.

       I knew the problem was now the further I walked into this sunset the further away it would be. The closer I felt the further I'd be and the more I'd realize I'd never want to leave.  I would crave it until its last drop.

       I would wait it out, confiding in wolves at night. Trying to claim something I've never even had yet. Yes my brother you would be there with me, and we would show our teeth. We will learn to live with the gravity and find peace in our bones. What we buried we would dig up. If only to chew on again.