About a step

I am drawn to the mountains.  I leave for my days in the mountains only knowing that I have to go.
     This time, going to the mountains, I am aware of each step.  Each step is unique, unique in itself.  Such a step has never been taken before exactly like this, with this weather, this temperature, this time of day, this unique person with her unique perception of this step.  This step is muddy, is slippy; this one is on small stones and is flat and secure; this one is one of a series of steep descents and has to be taken slowly; this one is over large boulders with rough surfaces that stick to the soles of my boots.  This one has some little tormentil flowers on one side; on this one a frog jumps out of the wet grass in fright and on this one a big black beetle just escapes being crushed.  The heather on this one fans out in minature and bog aspinal and bog cotton stand erect, warning of squelchy ground.
     A breath in each step, life breathed in and out on each unique step along the way up the mountain, across the summit and down.  Heart punding at times, beating loudly, pumping life-blood and energy to muscles and senses.

From the intimate step to the great Mystery all around.  Focussing on the step only, stopping on the step to see the whole, to see the limits all around, to look to the distance, to see how each mountain links with the next, with the glen;  each one thrown up, worn down, tilted this way and that, craggy, smooth, rounded, jaggy, massive, accepting, accepting being walked on, supporting, revealing, hiding, holding, being there, long after I have left the earth, being there.  And the boggy ground gathering the water and gently tilting it down the slopes in little rivulets, babbling, singing over stones, clear and sparkling, joining others, becoming strong and powerful.
     The intimate kiss of a passioante lover in each patch of blue sky and sun, intimate lover prolonging the kiss of warmth, of comforting sun, blessed air on my face.  I close my eyes to feel it more and to blank out all distraction.
     And all around, the great dark Mystery, the great mystery that is all that is, great and mysterious, beyond all understanding, all knowing mystery.  Dark mystery and mystery of light all around, stretching high, deep blue, going way beyond. Mystery, calling me on from somewhere, and accompanying me on each step with an intimate passionate kiss.

MA