The Cave
The cave is a cool, protective place for me. I have created a sanctuary, high above the river- up in the mountains. I can see people as they walk through the woods and then stop to cool their feet in the river, but they cannot see me sitting above them. It’s the perfect place to hide from the world. I can sit at the entrance leaning against the side where the wall is smooth and cradling to my tired body.
Today I hear something coming from inside the cave like a percolating- old school coffee machine. I have only ventured a short distance into the cave before but the sound is drawing me in. I could swear I hear a voice but is it a voice or just an echo?
My instincts tell me there are no dangers deep in the cave, so I begin my exploration and creep through the cave to the sound. I want to run toward the sound but I take cautious movements just in case. The sounds of a bubbling spring echoes off the walls and the temperature is getting much warmer, not cooler.
The smell coming at me has just a hint of sulfur. Maybe it’s a hot spring that I have stumbled upon? I stop to hear the voices again but everything is silent. I continue forward running my hand against the smooth walls with small divots carved into them. I cannot see much, only a faint light further back in the cave.
My instincts tell me there are no dangers deep in the cave, so I begin my exploration and creep through the cave to the sound. I want to run toward the sound but I take cautious movements just in case. The sounds of a bubbling spring echoes off the walls and the temperature is getting much warmer, not cooler.
The smell coming at me has just a hint of sulfur. Maybe it’s a hot spring that I have stumbled upon? I stop to hear the voices again but everything is silent. I continue forward running my hand against the smooth walls with small divots carved into them. I cannot see much, only a faint light further back in the cave.
As I walk, I can still feel the air getting warmer and it feels odd given I am in a cool cave, protected from the sun. This cave is fascinating since the walls are smooth like water flowed through her, hollowing out a tunnel. Water now flows below this cave and at some spots above it. I wonder why the water stopped flowing through here and how long ago did this happen.
Step by step through the cave, my mind goes crazy with explosive thoughts about what lies deep within these passages ways. The further I get, the warmer I feel and now a cool breeze is hitting my feet. The sensation is incredible since I cannot see much. It’s getting lighter and lighter. I must be coming to an opening.
The sulfur smell has dissipated and now I have picked up a musky, spicy cologne smell. Am I coming out along part of the river? I cannot hear anything just that bubbling spring and a slight moaning as the breeze makes its way through the cave. I step forward and make a sharp left where I can see more light. I can go right and step back in the comfort of the cool darkness but I am compelled to see where this cave leads.
A ways up, I stumble upon a pool of water which is open to the clear blue sky. The fresh air lightly presses down on me and I can smell the forest just as I left her on the other side of the cave. I bend down to touch the water and I am mesmerized by the touches of light on the water, deep in the cave and the minerals on the sandy bottom lighting up like a hidden treasure.
The sulfur smell has dissipated and now I have picked up a musky, spicy cologne smell. Am I coming out along part of the river? I cannot hear anything just that bubbling spring and a slight moaning as the breeze makes its way through the cave. I step forward and make a sharp left where I can see more light. I can go right and step back in the comfort of the cool darkness but I am compelled to see where this cave leads.
A ways up, I stumble upon a pool of water which is open to the clear blue sky. The fresh air lightly presses down on me and I can smell the forest just as I left her on the other side of the cave. I bend down to touch the water and I am mesmerized by the touches of light on the water, deep in the cave and the minerals on the sandy bottom lighting up like a hidden treasure.
The water is hot as I suspected. For a cave that has been untouched for so long there are no signs of creepy crawlies or debris from the outside world. The warmer air pushing its way into the cave is causing me to want to through down my towel and tap a nap in this warm and peaceful place.
I decide to continue on to see if there is anything else to explore and as I move further into the cave I begin to hear voices again. This saddens me because I know this place is somehow not a secret. It’s a hidden gem to me but a place of reflection for someone else. I hope that I can find the harmony I seek surrounded by the voices and presences of others. I come to a section of rocks that look like a step ladder was carved into the wall, leading towards the sun.
The voices I thought I heard now sound more like singing. It’s that of a deep male voice. For a moment I pause and the voice echoes into the cave, so rich and melodic that it surrounds me like the warm air and makes me smile. I have heard this song before and even the voice. For just a moment, I am back with the Lakota and I can see him singing with such passion. He is singing the words of his people, asking the gods to protect their Well of Life and that the stranger that sits among them will guide the others to protect the sacred.
The sacred is their future and the future of so many, depends on her. I am the stranger but this is only a dream. I have dreamt this dream many times after my wanderings of Cross Creek. It seems so real, that my heart aches for him- the man who holds my soul but exists only in my dreams. There is something wrong with me that I have resorted to making up a life that does not exist.
The sacred is their future and the future of so many, depends on her. I am the stranger but this is only a dream. I have dreamt this dream many times after my wanderings of Cross Creek. It seems so real, that my heart aches for him- the man who holds my soul but exists only in my dreams. There is something wrong with me that I have resorted to making up a life that does not exist.
But as I stand there, I know this song- I need to know who sings it and grab for the ladder and with all my strength make my way up the stone stairs. Step by step, I can feel my heart speed up. Maybe he does exist and now my dream will be real. The voice draws me near and I know this man, he is the protective warrior. As I peak my head up I don’t see anyone and the singing has stopped- what has happened?
I keep making my way up the ladder and as I look out I can see a small waterfall pulsing into a small pond and from there it appears to flow back into the ground and perhaps back into the cave. I take the final step off the ladder, straddle a rock wall and come to the edge of the pool. From the ladder the pool looked small but it’s actually larger in size and is protected by distinctive foliage not found here in the Rocky Mountains but more like on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. It’s tropical with full pink and red flowers with a canopy of vines covering the pool and the waterfall. A bit of sun is sneaking through the vines and once again making the water sparkle. It’s a dream oasis, nothing I have ever seen and it strips my sour emotions and dazzles me with a bubbling hope. Oh my I have discovered heaven.
I keep making my way up the ladder and as I look out I can see a small waterfall pulsing into a small pond and from there it appears to flow back into the ground and perhaps back into the cave. I take the final step off the ladder, straddle a rock wall and come to the edge of the pool. From the ladder the pool looked small but it’s actually larger in size and is protected by distinctive foliage not found here in the Rocky Mountains but more like on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. It’s tropical with full pink and red flowers with a canopy of vines covering the pool and the waterfall. A bit of sun is sneaking through the vines and once again making the water sparkle. It’s a dream oasis, nothing I have ever seen and it strips my sour emotions and dazzles me with a bubbling hope. Oh my I have discovered heaven.
I walk toward the pool and dip my hand into cool water. I look around for any sign of people but the place looks untouched. I stare down at my reflection and wonder what I am doing wandering around in a cave and the woods on my own. What happened to the social butterfly that always got people together to have parties and go on outings to the cabin or go to the pool? Where did she go? Now it’s just lonely, hidden excursions hoping that I don’t run into anyone so I can be alone and at peace.
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