Silence

Sometimes, it is just about the words that grow inside your head when you are outside.

The Walk

No speaking I said.

Or maybe it was you who said it.

“How long will we walk?” I questioned with my knitted eyebrows.

“Who knows?” you shrugged with your shoulders.

“Which way would you choose to go?” you pointed.

“It doesn’t matter” I responded by grabbing a hold of your hand and pulling you down the path.

So, we walked.

We stepped a thousand steps in silence, only the sounds that belonged there in the woods to be heard.

When I took step # 1001, I stopped to smile and kiss you so that you would know how the pressure had started to leave my head.

You squeezed my shoulders to let me know you understood.

And we kept walking.

You lead for a while and I didn’t care which way you went as I followed.

you: step, step, step up, jump down, climb over large roots and skirt a puddle.

me: step, step, step up, jump down, climb over large roots and skirt a puddle.

You stop at a clearing to lean your head back and looked up at the splintered sunlight to wipe your forehead.

Your beauty makes my heart beat faster and I hesitate because I don’t want to smear the moment, but I can’t stop myself from wrapping my arms around you and leaning my head back too.

The woods stand still, we stand still, only the sun moves slightly but we remain holding onto each other for balance so we don’t have to stop leaning until we are good and ready to stop.

And then I lead for a while.

For 2000 steps.

Then 3000.

Then 4000.

Each time I turn to find you, you have quietly walked every single step with me.

“Did you see the birds of prey circling back there near the water?” I think.

You nod your head “yes, I saw them.”

I stop and lift my chin in a question, “Do you smell something sweet blooming nearby?

What is that?” I dig deeply into my limited knowledge to guess.

You smile and lead me to a plant that you rub between your fingers before you hold them under my nose.

From now on, I will never forget that plant, it’s smell, or what you just taught me without saying a word…

But now, I shiver as the sun is lower and the shadows are longer and the day is fighting for a few more minutes to survive.

It’s time to go and, still, without words, we make our way out of the beautiful silence through 4000

steps.

Together.