| Symphony We stood side by side on a barren hill overlooking the frozen, snow-covered waters of Wilderness Lake; two dim shadows cast by the golden sphere that slowly dissappeared behind the trees on the other side. A mild December evening was falling upon us. I knew she was special, we had been friends for a little time. I spoke with her often, but never the way, with the depth, in which we conversed that evening. She had never before looked at me the way she did that night. Or maybe I had just never paid close enough attention? I stood motionless-listening intently-hanging on her every word. I was encompassed in her moment. Tight to my left, with her arms loosely folded across her waist, stood the most incredible woman. A pair of glasses, each lens no larger than a half dollar, harboured her felicitous eyes. The purple hair band, keeping her brown hair from draping into her face, also shielded her ears from the glacial world dancing around us. Her nose, tinged lightly from the snow, was set between a pair of blushed cheeks; all creating the transitory symbol of who she is. A soft, harmonious susseration emenated from her lips, soothing any agnst I may have had. "Are you staying overnight?" she asked. I could hardly move, fearful if I did it may disrupt the river that flowed from her heart. For the first time, she was singing her song for me. All I had to do was listen. "I don't think I can. I didn't anticipate staying over. I just planned on coming up here, talking for a little while, then riding back to the parking lot. I didn't bring a sleeping bag, so I'd be pretty cold." What a fool I was; I should have planned better. But how could I foreknow something like this would come about? What she said next will stick in my heart forever; "Well, my sleeping bag is pretty big. We could share it if you'd like." How does a guy respond to that? Me, the fool!~"I didn't let anyone at home know I would be gone all night. If I had brought a cell phone, I could call and make arrangements, but I didn't." Without the slightest hesitation, she reached over and placed her hand gently upon my arm. The sensation of Life; of living in this moment without thought of anything else, was overwhelming. Everything that can be percieved was~only with a hightened awareness I had never known before. She left her hand there for what seemed like eternity, but proved all too brief. Her eyes blinked, the stream of words had stopped, and her hand crept back along her waist. I waited in agony for the slightest sound to flow from her lips; and it did. "It just so happens I brought my cell phone. I never leave without it. You're welcome to use it if you'd like." The words I had grown so fond of in such a short time, accompanied by a tone that suggested something indescribable was happening. Something that uttered symbols cannot express. With a single brief touch, and with a handful of subtle words, I was high on the intoxicating fragrance of hope and uncertainty, surrounded by a symphony of perception; acutely aware she was at the heart of this concert. From then on, consciousness would revolve around her. ajm |