kissing the sky.

********

a month passed since my last trip up coyote hill,

one day before shoulder surgery, and the ground was white with snow. 

of course, that trip was made on snowshoes. 

yesterday i pulled on boots and hiked rather easily up coyote hill. 

i was pleasantly surprised at how easy the trip was, not having performed

much aerobic exercise except for going up and down the staircases

of this three-story house, which does provide a bit of bodily exertion. 

after forty-one days or so recovering, i felt afraid to venture out without company.

my pure-soul surgeon said 

be careful to not fall….be careful with your shoulder…. 

i carefully made my way up the hill, hiking stick and water bottle in hand.

i sat in the woods, pensing and praying, 

watching mister pencilfox work the garden plot
as he carried cured manure in the bucket of the tractor, tilling the soil.  

i made my way back down the hillside, watching for scree and twigs,

feeling stronger, feeling satisfied, 

feeling blessed. 

this trip was exactly what my soul needed. 

i felt like i was kissing the sky. 

*

it's a good life….

********