Eternity

The morning sun was shimmering through the branches of the tall spruce trees
as I wandered aimlessly lost deep in the primeval forest. I could sense hidden
birds silently watching me. Off the path in a clearing I came upon the totem.
The large eyes of animal spirits were outlined in concentric circles of glossy
black and vibrant turquoise, accentuating the expressions of power and anger
in the faces on the old abandoned carvings. I felt a mystical presence. I knelt,
as if before a cross, until I heard a shaman in the distance whispering that no
gods were present.

By noon I was out of the forest, following the banks of the river to a delta
where large numbers of fish were leaving the ocean to swim upstream. I
found the bear feeding on a feast of silver salmon. I stared intently with a
feeling of increasing awe as the great grizzly romped through the water with
the natural beauty of brute strength. Suddenly he stopped and looked at me. I
could see my frozen figure mirrored in his eyes. Just then a cackling raven
fluttered in front of the bear, screeching loudly in a shrill tone which set him
back on his haunches.

On the edge of evening the setting sun lit the horizon with a nuclear inferno of
brilliant colors, staining the surrounding clouds with a violet haze and electric
streaks of iridescent orange. The waves galloping to the beach took on pink
and bluish hues which dissolved into a foamy white as the sea water pounded
the shore. On the centerline was a long pathway of radiant red light leading
into the sun. As I watched, an eagle flew low above the reflection until its
dark form was silhouetted against the glowing scarlet sphere. Inevitably, it
diverted, flying off to the east without purpose or meaning. I laughed and
cried as I ran along the sand, finally realizing that eternity was closed to me.

In the darkness of night I laid on the dunes. I saw the stars and the infinite
black emptiness between them.