Desert Walk

I recently broke away from my day to day reality and went for a simple walk. It was a cold fall day and the grey clouds were scattered against the horizon. I drove up to the desert preserve we have here and buttoned up my jacket. For this solo adventure I plugged in my ear buds and cued up some Pink Floyd. As I walked the path I enjoyed the nature around me; the Joshua trees, the massive bushes, and the bounding jackrabbits all combined to make a living melody for my senses. As I weaved my way through the post lined path it was the skyline which continually gave me pause. The sun was sinking in the sky behind a large cluster of patterned-worked grey clouds. Shine on you crazy diamond was drumming in my head as I looked up and could see the smaller of the ink blot clouds light up like burning coals of yellow and crimson. As the winds of last night's storm transformed the brush strokes before me, The colors blended and melted together before slowly darkening behind a behemoth. The walk continued and I found myself zipping and fastening my jacket against the cold breeze. Digging my hands deeper into my pockets and quickening my pace, I looked to the sand below my steps. My mind was adrift upon an ocean of my own thoughts and worries as the natural world moved below my feet. I came to the most unfortunate part of the trail where a stretch of ordinary desert had been violated by vagabonds and their broken beer bottles. I stopped and peered at the scene for a minute before the dimmed sky began to change. As the large cloud slowly ascended, the preserve lightened; the heavens began to smolder as once again lumps of grey ignited into a vivid intensity. The sunlight slowly melted down the trees until it splashed upon the ground warming every inch of the desert. All those bottles, so mischievously smashed upon the sandy ground, now erupted into fireworks as beams of light dazzled in every direction. Breathtaking is but a cliche, but as I stood there my very life was held captive by that moment. There were no questions or worries or thoughts, there was only that moment with its mind shattering colors and gentle warm touch. Walking back to the truck I simply smiled to myself as I lit a cigarette and returned to my day to day reality.