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| The Long Walk by � coondogk9 I filled my canteen from the river of deceit and prejudice. Taking a drink of the bitter fluid I felt it slip down and settle around the other faults I�d kept stored so long. I looked around neith the overcast sky and saw the path was well beaten by the many that visited here daily. Turning away I wandered along the trail for years. One day I spotted a little used path overgrown with sweet smelling flowers and wild berries. I parted the lush green foliage and investigated. Why wouldn�t someone use this trail? I�ll admit it was a bit longer but so much more beautiful and here the sun shone bright spilling rainbows in the background. I knew if there were rainbows there must be water. I followed along and watched as cool shadows danced like fairies amongst the tall well nourished trees. The trail was steeper and harder to climb than the one I always took like the rest. It was no chore to walk a path of level unobstructed thoroughfares. My unused muscles ached and burned from the labors of this difficult climb. I could hear singing in the distance. Why would anyone be singing out here where no one could hear it? And it was sweet and low like a gentle breeze on a muted flute pleasing to the ear unlike the noise and boisterous sounds I�d been used to. I finally saw the singer sitting on a rock glistening with sparkling light imbedded in the pretty streaks of time. it was, I don�t know how to describe it. It sat there eyes closed listening to the music of the flute laying untouched as a gentle breeze blew through the reeds making soft music. It sat there with fingers locked around a knee over crossed legs rocking slowly back and forth to the rhythm. Why would someone waste their time siting alone here in the middle of nowhere listening to an instrument unattended? It was peaceful here and the music was inspiring but I�d never seen this kind of relaxed energy flow before. The contentment on the face glowed warm and refreshing. I felt mine change as I watched and the warmth spread over my own. I for the first time felt my heart beat and the veins filling with a spirit of inexhaustible energy. My steps grew lighter and the pace easier now as burdens fell by the way. I heard the rushing water close ahead. Quickening my steps feeling compulsion I saw it. The rainbow covered mountainside. A brook tribulated from the racing river and calmly pooled along a smooth sandy beach. On the mountain a man held stone scrolls and shouted down its words. When the words touched others there was calm. I saw a glint beside the path and walked over to it. It was overgrown and obscured from visuality. I pulled away the mature growth of an ancient past. There it gleamed as sunlight cleansed the forgotten scales of neglect. It was a marker. It told of a wondrous journey and the gifts bestowed only for the taking. I glanced around to see if I was being observed. There was but one. He stood with tears watching others leave walking down a much more traveled road, even, smooth and free of obstacles. The gayety and laughter tossed at the few who climbed the steeper narrower path calling them fools when they�d found this easy shortcut. The tearstained face watched them disappear but yet the determined few climbed on. As he walked away I saw the blood trail from his wounds and the furrow as he drug his beam along the ground. the thorns fed the trickle down his forehead. But it was lit by a halo and I saw beneath the tears a light as he gently helped the others up the slope. I stood contemplating which path to take. I knew my way back along the well traveled road I�d always taken but there was something calling me from ahead the other. The man turned and I knew. This was my direction. Anyone that can smile through tears and pain had to know more than me and I wanted to find out what it was. I added myself to the group as I took his bound hand and followed up the steep path. I found an old man and his staff had fallen from his hand. I picked it up and handed it to him. he spoke: no my son. Take this staff. He placed it in my hand. The road ahead is perilous and you will need things along the way to lean on and rest. The rewards will far overcome any misfortunes. I have learned and no longer need the staff as much as I used to and in time you also shall hand it to others as I have with you. This path is long. This path is difficult. But longevity has that price. Forever is a blessing. Eternity is the finality. The sounds of more flutes beckoned me. I traveled on. Vision Quest � 2002 T Lovett |