Hike.

The sweltering heat
beat down upon
my head
as I hiked through
the woods. 

I needed a
break from
all things and
I decided to
take a hike
to the top
of a mountain.

It was far
from my
house but
I needed
the drive.

The top
seemed
to sneer
at me as
I continued
my upward
approach.

Onward,
I said, and
I allowed
myself to
become consumed
by the quiet.

Nature, it seems,
lets one
reflect.

I moved
closer and
closer and
soon, though
I didn't realize
it, I was at
the top.

I gazed down
below. I saw
the vast valleys
and the cool
streams and,
above, I saw
the never-ending
and eternally
blue sky.

I again
lowered
my gaze and
I imagined
my soul
atop a horse,
galloping
off into the
distance --
toward comfort
and peace and
tranquility.