Riding Out The Storm

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Such an opposing blue sky, a contrast to any color of whom dared brush its horizon. With a glance she barely noticed the sky and concentrated solely on her footing. The hike had been a long one, traveling down and down until the valley floor was with in reach. “Did I turn right or left at that last fork?” she thought.

The question was but a mental distraction, the trail a physical challenge and onward she did journey. Farther and deeper she traveled into the valley until the path grew wide and dusty. The concentration had been blinding, until now. Now the change in terrain caused a pause. From high above a raven cried, “Look at me,” but she paid no mind. Her concentration was now broken.

In a cement pose of wonder she stood in awe. The depth of her journey etched well within the height of the canyon walls. There before her were the contrasts of brown on blue, depth in height, the solitude and beauty of a space. “The rewards of well placed steps,” she thought.

The surrounds held her in awe and she rotated ever so slowly to take in the panoramic buffet. Spirited obstacles of red-brown earth rose around her speaking softly of a time we all forgot. Their volume rising to a scream only as they touched the opposing sky. Without warning a far away sound echoed and shattered her cement pose. “No, was that what I thought it was?”

With the speed of Apollo she whirled to a full about face. The screaming of the spirited obstacles was silenced and thunder took its place. Standing deep within the canyon, she found herself looking up at a violent black stalker with evil in its eyes.

She knew there was not a single place to hide and retreat not an option either; she choose speed. “I will out run you, you evil stalker,” her thought but the evil stalker stood its ground. It had no need to chase, fear was its upper hand and with a growl from Hades unleashed a sinister plan.

She ran with all her might; begged and pleaded for some heavenly, speedy feet. Nowhere to climb and with no real place to run she began to weep tears of defeat. The spew of evilness was upon her and she thought her speedy feet had let her down.

Again she took the cement pose, felt sorrow from her failing feet, bowed her head and emotionally succumbed. The evil spew of liquid swept over her, tossed her, banged her and tried to drown her with its grief. She held on and was allowed to occasionally breathe in deep.

With one last deep breath it was over. Gasping and spiting she lay drained but breathing. Not sure how far she had traveled and with all her might came to her feet. Again she heard the raven, “Look up at me” and found herself merely looking up.

I guess this is where I am. Life without warning, sometimes spews its evil upon us. All we can do is ride out the storm and keep looking up.

Peace and may you have very few storms.



15 comments:

unnamed lad said, 

this caused a bit of stirring, Jules. it reminded me of Ulrich Schaeffers poem in which he was writing about fear of the shadows in which His love should chase away.

October 5, 2010 at 10:03 AM  
Carolyn Abiad said, 

Storms always pass...no matter how violent they are.

October 5, 2010 at 10:19 AM  
Anonymoussaid, 

Storms, as painful as they can be, are necessary to challenge caracter (sometimes a lack thereof) and burn off some of the ballast in our lives. But they do pass and with the passing a new day and new hope dawns.

Stephen Tremp

October 5, 2010 at 10:35 AM  
Mary@GigglesandGuns said, 

Very thought provoking. I'll be mulling this one over for a while.

Jules, check my blog there's something there for you.
Mary

October 5, 2010 at 11:01 AM  
Arlee Bird said, 

Nice. Storms can be exciting and the aftermath is often so inspiring.

Lee
Tossing It Out

October 5, 2010 at 11:18 AM  
Holly said, 

Awww, Jules!! You wrote this so beautifully... and sad... and I relate to it too often. (((HUGS))), my friend!! Hang in there and keep looking UP!! MWAH!! <3

October 5, 2010 at 11:19 AM  
RHYTHM AND RHYME said, 

I don't like storms but they are neccessary to life, how refreshing the earth is after a storm and it feels as though one's tensions pass with it.

Yvonne.

October 5, 2010 at 12:13 PM  
RHYTHM AND RHYME said, 

I don't like storms but they are neccessary to life, how refreshing the earth is after a storm and it feels as though one's tensions pass with it.

Yvonne.

October 5, 2010 at 12:13 PM  
Alex Ong said, 

Storms do come, whether internal or external. In the words of Stevie Nicks: "I have never been a cold blue sea, I have always been a storm."

Be well.

Alex
Breakfast Every Hour

October 5, 2010 at 12:30 PM  
Alex J. Cavanaugh said, 

All we can do is hold on to faith and keep pressing forward.

October 5, 2010 at 2:43 PM  
Green Monkey said, 

love how you tied it in a knot in it at the end.

October 5, 2010 at 4:32 PM  
The Words Crafter said, 

It's the suddenness of the things that throw us so off kilter, I think. There's all sorts of little storms everyday-but we're used to them. Even when they're terrible.

But the sudden ones....whew!

October 5, 2010 at 8:57 PM  
Tammy said, 

I think a lot of us can relate to the storms. Just remember that when they are over, the air smells refreshed and rainbows come out. And you feel somehow stronger for having survived!

October 6, 2010 at 8:53 AM  
Ella said, 

Jules well crafted, in the middle I thought of you and you fight your own personal demons! We all have our battles, storms, but remember they are worth fighting so again we can see the rainbow, smile upside down and the sun return! xXx

October 6, 2010 at 9:35 AM  
Unknown said, 

I feel your panic, too, sister. Boy howdy do I.

October 7, 2010 at 1:25 AM  
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