A monthly Journey

A Monthly Journey.
(Based on a dream I had)

     
I am walking through the deathly quiet woods, slowly, surely, taking one step at a time, listening and looking for any sign of movement or danger. Stepping lightly, as not to make any noise that would draw any attention of my being here, I move fluidly and silently through the night. The high canopy of the thickly wooded forest blocks out most of the seeping moonlight from the heavens above. Driven by instinct, urge as it were, I find myself pressing on to the place I go. Breaching into the small circular clearing of mass beauty and awe, I crouch in the absolute center to start a fire. Sitting back, with the fire ablaze and growing, I soak in the emitting warmth and energy pulsating from deep within the glorious mixtorus array of oranges, reds, yellows, and blues. Closing my eyes and breathing deeply, a warm, gentle mid-summer breeze washes over me like a flowing blanket, enveloping me, and graciously mingling with the warmth of the Fire. Turning my head to the sky, I open my eyes to the awesome view of the twilight sky. The stars seem to momentarily brighten its brilliance in recognition of my presence, then softly dim into a mellow, back-lit accent to the atmosphere. Then with a flourish of wind, The moon announces her presence as she crests over the ridge of treetops, gracing me with her glorious, soul-rejuvenating light. Suddenly things slowed silently still, and a soothing calm closed over me, relaxing mind, body and spirit, all in one harmonious sweep. Sounds began to became clearer, smells more informative, and vision more acute. I start to feel the soft sensation of fur rippling in dynamic waves across my body, that thicken with each succession, and it brings on wellbeing and warmth. A slight tingling sensation begins resonating from deep within the roots of my teeth, and then they start sliding out to their new dimensions of artuous perfection. As if by the breezes gentle coaxing touch, my face begins pushing out into a muzzle, with my toung falling in stride behind. My ears, which are now pointed and covered in fur, begin their journey towards the top of my head, then elegantly come to a rest in place. My feet begin to elongate a few inches with the wonderful feeling of taking a nice long, tired stretch, bringing in all goodness. With a subtle tickle, claws draw themselves from the tip of each of my digits, glinting in the moonlight. As the finale, a tail forms and begins growing from the base of my spine, lengthening with a slight pulling sensation. As it thickens in bushiness, I give it a swish and take in the extra sensory feedback. Comfortably ease and pleasant bliss; Zen, serenity and peace. Words that cant even begin to describe the natural post-shift feeling, but those mentioned I try. Mind, body, spirit: all at peace and harmony with the earth and self. One with Nature. Slowly the night calmed and continued on it's ongoing, endeavorus cycle: and all is normal.

Brought upon the wind, I caught the friendly scent of an all too familiar companion. Turning towards the direction of the smell, a wolf steps confidently into my territory. As she approaches, she slightly lowers her beautiful head in a submissive greeting. Though I wish she would not do so, for I consider her an equal, she refuses to think of herself that way. She stops to sit next to me and begins meditating into the illustrious fire. I threw my large arm around her shoulders, drew her to my side, and then gently stroked the soft, silvery fur under the right side of her jaw. We sat there watching the mesmerizing flames of the amber fire for a wile, just sitting and watching, enjoying the wholesomeness of the moment. The fog silently rolled in and settled in the surrounding forest bed, adding a slight chill of freshness in the air. From the distance, a sound could be heard in a perfectly audible tone. Then another joined. The howls of her pack were calling of a kill and were singing their thanks. Her ears perked and she looked up at me, to the direction of the kill, and then back to me, then let out a small yip with hope in her eyes. I smiled and said that I would be honored to join them. We stood then began to run through the throng of the forest with silent swiftness, like the wind blowing through the sky. Catching the sweet scent of blood afloat upon the breeze caused me to begin salivating, and the instinctual urge to hasten my journey. Upon reaching the kill, she woofed an announcement of her arrival. At the sound, the Alpha raised his magnificent head from his meal, with a slight crimson shadow glistening on his muzzle. He looked at me and gazed into my eyes... as if he was penetrating my soul. He let out a short, sharp bark, with his tail raised high, beckoning me forth. Knowing my status as an outsider, I dropped to all fours and lowered my head and tail. Poising my ears and body in a submissive posture, I slowly approached him. When I reached him, my chin almost dragging on the ground, I rolled over onto my back, tail tucked, and I held my body in a simi-fetal position. He boldly walked up to me and I gave a silent whine as he looked down upon me. He studied me for a few moments longer, then bowed his head and licked my nose. While in the audience of the ordered pack, the Alpha prestigiously shifted to the side and gestured towards the fresh, warm prey. I rolled back onto my hands and feet, gratefully howled my thanks to the prey, then dined. I dug my large muzzle deep into the carcass and tore out a sweet, juicy chunk of meat. The luke-warm blood pleased my toung as it trickled down my throat and the meat was tender. She walked up to me and began licking my bloody muzzle then nuzzled me. I smiled and returned the lick, the three of us began to eat again. When we ate our fill, we schlepped off to lie down, and the other wolves suddenly sprang to life and began competing for their dinner. I lied down in the soft grass and watched the spectacle unfold before me, then she walked over and laid down next to me. I snuggled up closely to her, feeling her warmth radiating from her body. She yawned and laid her head down on my arm and I smiled, gave her a loving lick, then rested my head upon hers, and drifted off to sleep.

When I awoke, I sleepily gazed around my surroundings. I discovered that the prey was completely devoured and all that was left was most of the pelt and bones. The rest of the pack was gathered around us, mostly sleeping, with the exception of few that were still knawing on bones. When I went to lay my head back down, I saw a small arrangement of bones a few inches in front of my nose, and another similar set next to hers. I looked back down, and gave her a lick on her muzzle. She awoke with a stretch and gazed sleepily at me, then snuggled up to me while I started chewing on my newfound bones. a couple moments later she stirred, I looked at her and she was looking at the sky with her ears drooped in disappointment. I too turned my eyes skyward and saw the beginning of what we both were dreading: Dawn. The moon was sinking low in the sky, and the sun would soon rise. Reluctantly I dropped my bone to the ground and stood up to start walking home, my heart pleading me to stay. She watched me get up and yipped at me. I knelt down, gave her a long, loving hug, and told her that I had school in a couple of hours, and that I would soon return. She looked sadly into my eyes, then gave a gentle lick on the tip of my nose. I stood, then carefully made my way around the dozing wolves and I began my journey home. In the distance, I heard her howling sorrowfully as I left. Tears began to form in my eyes, ‘Until next month’, I thought to myself...

An eternity of loneliness...

Matt Small
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