The Meadow

I left work early on Tuesday, happy to be out of the office and free for the afternoon. Much to my surprise, daylight was still beaming across the land. Not to let a mild and beautiful day escape me, I threw on my running clothes and soared over to the meadow. I literally mean soared– few are the runs I’ve had that leave me so free and exhilarated.

I left the rigid office, full of order and chaotic professionalism, for the meadow, strewn with gigantic hay bales and golden grass. They were my hurdles. I flew around them, enjoying the sharp turns and random patterns of running free, wild. I stopped atop one to catch my breath, and then sprinted back through the field.

Ahead lay a particular hay bale… can’t go through it… can’t go around it…. got to go over it. I lost my footing on the far side and went tumbling off, head first, onto the ground. Gracefully, laughing, I rolled to a stop, sprang up, and tried again. Success! With a parting sprint, I headed back to the house as daylight faded to dusk.