My Walk in the Park

Monday.

First vacation day.

Searching for quiet.

Hiking in a National Park.

Boaters, fishermen, walkers.

Quarter mile mark…yelling children.

Half mile mark…“Gracie!”

“Gracie” a loose pit bull, furiously barking, tail-wagging, hackle raising.

Standing still, I let her slobber on me.

Indifferent owner arrives with muzzle.

Mile mark…campers in conversation.

Travel the stream-side trail.

Lean against a tree and listen.

No other voices.

Thunder.

Rain drops scatter through leaves.

Course reversal.

Getting damp.

Lightning.

Downpour.

Hurrying.

Trail becomes muddy stream.

Low visibility.

Drenched.

Emerge from trail.

Everyone gone.

Slosh between parking lots.

Car.

Thunder rattles the windows.

Even God shatters my silence.