a quick solo backpacking trip to the woods, to the manitou river. to a spot i stopped and unrolled my sleeping pad midday six years ago, exhausted by the first trimester, but unwilling to forgo a chance to sleep under the stars. i had forgotten i had napped here until i arrived just as the sun set. without intending to, i once again found myself going back as part of the journey forward.
today, the hammock. reading. writing. reflecting. napping. but mostly watching. watching the sky transform as the smoky evidence of the uncontained and raging forest fires nearby approached and retreated repeatedly, each time bringing the unmistakeable scent of profound change.
