Dec 28 2007
The sun gleamed indecisively through the tops of the trees, as if to suggest I ought not be in the desolate forest. A warm light began to radiate through the branches and brighten the damp earth. The scent of autumn lingered casually in the sharp, cold air, as the river ahead of me crashed heavily onto the rocks below. I followed the path to the waterfall, the water shifting mechanically as I stared down into the frothy depths. A thin wooden plank was all that separated me from the steep drop into the river.
My heart raced as I faced my greatest fear and strongest enemy. I held my breath, reassuring myself that my balance was sufficient. I stepped onto the plank hesitantly, recoiling when the wood creaked beneath my foot. I danced across it quickly, listening to the waves threaten me with a seemingly well-practiced roar. My foot found the edge of the rocks, leaving my pulse racing and the wet, gaping valley destitute of victims.
I continued across the path, the cold air teasing my ears and nose. The soft cloth of my jacket hugged my arms, but the cool wind had an unyielding grasp on my face, throat, and fingers. I put my hand down on the chilled, sharp rocks to steady myself as I crawled down the hill toward the most beautiful spot on the gorge. The trees began to clear, the sky becoming a more visible and brilliant shade of sorry as I came to the overhang. Here, the rock formed into an intimidating peak over the rushing water. The trees on either side of the river hung low, the branches often grazing the frigid tide as though in reverence. The cliff cast a knowing shadow into the water, while the familiar white light jumped from tree to tree in the vast forest on the shore. Occasionally, the whistling wind would pluck an unsuspecting leaf from it’s branch, sending it into a flurry in the air before allowing it to rest in the churning water.
Although the beauty of this place was truly stunning, my feeling of success came from my own accomplishment as I struggled to conquer what had been holding me back for months. I could tell the sun would set soon when a dark crystal fog gathered over the surface of the water. I walked back over the wet rocks, now reluctant to leave the spot which I had been recently afraid to see. By this point, the sun was hidden beyond the horizon, and the air was thin and full with the scent of twilight. I came to another drop over the river, but this time I jumped from one side to the other without a second thought.
I stepped through the forest quietly, attempting to leave the place in peace. I came to the opening at the edge of the forest and stepped out onto the main road, leaving my newly found sanctuary behind me. As my foot touched the pavement, a car passed and sent a gust of artificial wind in my direction. I watched the car drive out of sight, then... the lights, sounds, and wind fading into the dark with a mere memory of my fear.
My heart raced as I faced my greatest fear and strongest enemy. I held my breath, reassuring myself that my balance was sufficient. I stepped onto the plank hesitantly, recoiling when the wood creaked beneath my foot. I danced across it quickly, listening to the waves threaten me with a seemingly well-practiced roar. My foot found the edge of the rocks, leaving my pulse racing and the wet, gaping valley destitute of victims.
I continued across the path, the cold air teasing my ears and nose. The soft cloth of my jacket hugged my arms, but the cool wind had an unyielding grasp on my face, throat, and fingers. I put my hand down on the chilled, sharp rocks to steady myself as I crawled down the hill toward the most beautiful spot on the gorge. The trees began to clear, the sky becoming a more visible and brilliant shade of sorry as I came to the overhang. Here, the rock formed into an intimidating peak over the rushing water. The trees on either side of the river hung low, the branches often grazing the frigid tide as though in reverence. The cliff cast a knowing shadow into the water, while the familiar white light jumped from tree to tree in the vast forest on the shore. Occasionally, the whistling wind would pluck an unsuspecting leaf from it’s branch, sending it into a flurry in the air before allowing it to rest in the churning water.
Although the beauty of this place was truly stunning, my feeling of success came from my own accomplishment as I struggled to conquer what had been holding me back for months. I could tell the sun would set soon when a dark crystal fog gathered over the surface of the water. I walked back over the wet rocks, now reluctant to leave the spot which I had been recently afraid to see. By this point, the sun was hidden beyond the horizon, and the air was thin and full with the scent of twilight. I came to another drop over the river, but this time I jumped from one side to the other without a second thought.
I stepped through the forest quietly, attempting to leave the place in peace. I came to the opening at the edge of the forest and stepped out onto the main road, leaving my newly found sanctuary behind me. As my foot touched the pavement, a car passed and sent a gust of artificial wind in my direction. I watched the car drive out of sight, then... the lights, sounds, and wind fading into the dark with a mere memory of my fear.