Words from Pep
An ether and ephemeral world
An ethereal and ephemeral world lay
before me. Early morning light was diffused. Visibility, 200 feet at best. The
sound of flowing water called me into the mist and as I drifted through the fog
each breath inhaled a cold stream of humidity. Our first snow lay upon the
grass and leaves, hung from the trees, and slipped off branches at the behest
of gravity. . . . . . Gravity! Its LAW will not be violated. . . . . . At the
edge of the river beneath the thin white layer, unknown to me laid a shed
branch, slippery, without bark. The steep bank, lubrication of melting snow,
and that inviolable LAW united to have their way. . . . . . The temporal area
of my head hit first followed by the rest of my carcass. I will not repeat the
words, motivated by pain that immediately filled the air. Thereupon, came the
buzzing drowning out all other peaceful sounds of that sublime morning. A dark
tunnel squeezed itself around my vision and my present level of consciousness
was gone. . . . . . Flying into that tunnel came colors and light – iridescent
and translucent, metallic and phosphorescent, each singing their personalities
to the accompanying white-noise. . . . . . A shaking and trembling awakened me.
My body was entering hypothermia and reacted by shivering violently. I must
have been there a half hour, legs soaking up the cold river I had slipped into.
I pulled myself higher onto the bank raising feet onto a stone to allow the
water to drain from my boots. I had to get up, move, generate heat. As I stood,
the change in circulation stabbed my attention to the side of my head.
Everything seemed intact in spite of the pain. It was a half-mile to get back
home, drink something warm. Working hard, climbing out of the river valley, the
violent shivering stopped. Even my legs heated up. . . . . . Creation is not
partial to our species. She does not play favorites or cut us any slack. “We
live and move and have our being” humbly in the universe. The haunting beauty
of this unforgettable morning could have been my last. Even so, I embrace the
experience. I accept the pain. I will not hesitate to venture forth tomorrow or
the next. I cherish in thanksgiving the opportunity for existence. Appreciation
for the gift of life is expressed in its full use to the extent we are capable.
Preservation and longevity is not its goal. . . . . . Pain and risk, pleasure
and discovery are interwoven in the adventure. Your life awaits you.
--
ONE WORLD - ONE FAMILY OF MAN - ONE CREATOR OF ALL
ONE WORLD - ONE FAMILY OF MAN - ONE CREATOR OF ALL
No comments:
Post a Comment