Two Feathers

by Onu Oremun

Free floating feathers don’t fight to be free.  I have been riding this trail since the sun raised its red brow above the eastern hills.  Three miles now.  Two more to go before we take a rest, and all uphill.  The grassy valley turns stone-ridden.  Our ascent is slow but steady.  I give the rein and let Mr. T do what he knows best.  The path is not straight, but twists and turns and bends and breaks.  But Mr. T continues in eager wait.  His ears tell me this.  They point forward like two daggers at the ready.  We both know what is coming once we reach the top.

I grip his white mane tightly as the final climb becomes rather steep.  An army of rocks suddenly tumble around us and through Mr. T’s legs.  My legs grip his sides, but he doesn’t stumble.

Sweat soaks my back.  Foam builds on the sides of Mr. T’s neck.  Froth drips from his mouth.  He grunts reminding me to breathe.  My body is like a rigid plank on his back.  Trust.  Breathe.  A sudden surge of adrenaline takes hold.  He takes a long reaching step to the top.  Ready.

All time has stopped. The world has stopped.  This moment is all that is left.  Like an open field.  No trail, no fence, no walls, no mountains bind us.  We are free.  Our hearts are one, and without a single thought like a bullet we take off. Energy pulsing through every vein, Mr. T gains speed.  Faster and faster we go until the wind blinds us. And I am flying. I’m sure of it.

I laugh.  He snorts and tosses his head at my voice, letting out a couple of happy kicks.  Then, reality.  The treeline closes in. I suppose we are tired anyway.  I sit back down in the saddle.  He slows to a walk.

“Hey boy, thanks!”  I say and fall onto his neck for a hug, burying my nose in his sweet sweaty mane.  He immediately stops and drops his head to eat some grass.  I laugh and slide off his back.  “Hold on! Take a rest first.”

Putting my arm around my buddy’s back, we stare back at the open field. If only this moment could stay forever.