Disconnecting and reconnecting

In her final hour, the bright autumn sun enticed him to break the shackles.

Paths littered with leaves led to a track on a nearby reserve. Illuminated by the setting sun, it offered him a chance to disconnect. Could he take that chance?

The greeny fauna grabbed hold of the last glimmers of golden light, before silhouetted models of nature appeared in the afterglow of the setting sun.

The stillness gave way to snapped twigs and scrunched leaves. Dipping temperatures were complemented by pockets of warm air wafting down the path. Mother Nature's gentle, reassuring breaths provided a sense of comfort as her eyes started to close.

Wandering from the safety of the stony path, he started to climb. Before long, rows of proud pine stood out like shadows against ever-darkening blue hues.

A refreshingly cool temperature fuelled a satisfying breath as he returned to the main path. There was an air of achievement, of satisfaction. Was this what he came for?

Small illuminated messengers reassured him from above as the bluey hues deepened by the second. A nearby creek continued to offer gentle, reassuring wishes. Up ahead was a path towards a covered forest, a darkening hole that eventually led to the real world. 

As the darkness appeared to reign, a handful of glow worms reached out to his eyes. They knew they had to guide him through the next journey. The path appeared four shades lighter, and the pressure of returning to civilisation had eased. A furious march had slowed to a calm, content walk.

Artificial streetlights and the odour of log-burner fires greeted him with a misleading smile on the homeward descent, his encounter with nature feeling ever-more distant. Then it hit him.

 

His eyes looked up to find messengers scattered across the sky. They flickered in the distance, but shone brightly above his home. Nature nurtured his journey, and he knew it. 

The day had ended, but he knew the adventures of today were the start of a new beginning.