October 2, 2012 - Cody J Presny

Let’s talk about the desert for a moment. Top to bottom, there is no greater setting. A place where the coyote’s howl breaks the midnight silence, and the hallow wind sweeps and slithers through the cracked earth below. The feet of the prowling fox silently stalking a desert hare. Creeping closer, mindful of each footstep, careful not to cause a sound, careful not to misplace a stone, lest she lose a meal, and return to a den of hungry pups. For centuries, sages and shaman have traveled to these places. Release the clutches of ego before you enter. Free your mind, and I promise, your body will follow. Take off your shoes, feel the soft sand between your toes, it’s like nothing else in the world. You can take the forests, the oceans, the Plaines, the jungles, the snow, the sleet, the ice, the rain. I’ll keep the deserts and sit atop them. On amber cliffs that rise to see the heights and horizons from years and years ago. Where the sun rises over the eastern ridge and casts shadows longer than the rocks have lived. With a sudden burst, and last calorie burned, the mother pounces. With one fierce strike, her jaw wraps around the now helpless hare. Victoriously she raises her head, prancing, one paw in front of the other. Desert dawn and the land is awake. Find shade, the sun can be cruel this time of time, she will take everything from you and return nothing. Respect and don’t take for granted the desert, the desert, the desert.