In Search of You

Day one; I leave the coast following the great black river. Its meandering slow water sneaking slowly and silently past the ancient pines and hardwood trees gathered near its banks like a band of cronies, bent closely in conference, discussing how best to rob the dark water of its abundance of delicious large fish. Tendrils of vines reach for me with groping fingers that grab me and scratch my skin as I pass. Progress is slow. The sun hot, the air moist, my shirt sticks to my body like the skin on the peach I am eating. The juice drips through my fingers and from my chin as beads of sweat roll down my spine tickling me. Today will be a short day. I'll reach the mountains soon where I will rest in the cool air and I will sleep and I will dream of you. Tangled dark forest awaits Living fortress walls Gallant test of fortitude Day two; The mountains arise from the jungle canopy as the morning light creates ever changing shadows of purple and maroon in the folding canvas of the morning mist. To the north like jagged dragon's teeth, to the south they fade to gentle gum drop hills. My destination, due west, I choose to traverse a moderately shallow gorge between two tall peaks. The mist remains heavy throughout the morning making it difficult to keep my bearing but traveling becomes easier as the terrain levels and thick brush changes to sparse shrub. The higher I climb the greater the wind blows causing the few trees I pass to take on grotesquely sculpted shapes. Reaching the peak of my assent the valley curls to the south and the sun is hidden by the mountain making the air turn from cool to cold. I shiver, my breath white with exertion in the thin air. Exhausted I know I cannot stop or chance my demise as a frozen corpse on the cold stone in this high elevation, so I continue on into the late evening. As I pass over the last ridge the path traverses a small stream which I follow to a massive outcropping of rock. The air is warmer here and the darkness envelops me, so I make camp for the night with thoughts of you my only company. Dead cold towers of stone watch Frozen lonely soul Your warmth radiates through me Day three; Early morning rays press warm against my cool cheeks as I awaken. I lie unmoving, eyes closed for long moments listening to the roar of the stream beside me, the image of your silhouette tracing floaters across the inside of my eye lids. Slowly, with thoughts of getting under way, they open and, through hazy thick tears, deep, brilliant blue floods my vision. Spots of bright gold and wispy breathes of fuchsia and coral dance like visions before me. I blink and wipe the musty moistness from my eyes. The colors remain. The dawn has come. I stand atop the promontory surveying the valley below me, the stream falling in a beautiful cascade to the valley floor below. Spilling into a crystalline turquoise pool, the water creates a blue river running through gently rolling emerald pastures that seem to reach to eternity. I am Home. Like the sun to the green leaf You my sole desire My longing is now fulfilled 09/13/15 My Favourite Forms - Haibun or Sonnet Contest-2 Heather Ober 10/12/15