Tuesday, February 18, 2020

a moment of respite (short story)

The waterfall echoes into existence, filling in the blank environment all around. Out from its rocky base, a brook swims away, babbling a song all the way out of sight. Mossy rocks stand out from it, stepping stones for playful sorts. They continue on, disappearing among the forest's many tall pine trees and low bushes. This part of the forest is familiar, like something out of a dream, unreal yet made from the real.

The sun shines through the needles and odd leaves onto the orange forest floor. Birds chirp and sing in the canopy above. Blue jays, mostly, but some unfamiliar calls as well. With the mystery birds out of sight, it's easy to imagine what they might look like up there. Bright yellow feathers mixed with a bold red head. Long and narrow, but not predatory, mostly feeding on the berries that grow on the edges of the woods.

A little striped chipmunk hops up onto a mossy rock. It looks around for something to eat, as they always seem to be. He scurries down and sniffs his way through the pine needle sea. Every now and then, he stops and stuffs something into his cheeks. After a little while, his cheeks look comically enlarged. He takes one final look around, and disappears back into the woods.

A breeze floats by. The waterfall gently crashes down. The brook babbles. The birds sing. Peace finds a home.

-Zero

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