below another sky: river

river

When I reached a small river in the forest, I followed it in the direction of its flow. Thinking I could correct my chi, soothe my disturbances, the turbulence below the surface. I looked down at the river ; it looked up at me. I didn't see the bees slurping at flowers I stepped on -- Benny didn't see the ducks bobbing silently as wooden pegs. I wanted to walk to the end of the river. I came to a street zooming with cars and the river ran under a fence through a private farm.
I gave up on the river.

The sun poked its way through the drifting haze here and there and I undid my scarf, unbuttoned my jacket, unzipped my vest. I walked until the sun went back in and I had to put my scarf back on. I walked until my ankle hurt and I didn't know where I was anymore.