Where does the road lead?

There is a scene in a movie, or perhaps just in his mind, that reminds him of days on the road in the warm Southwestern States. Then again, forget the States, thinks lands.


Driving along on paved roads, through scenes that first came to light in an old spaghetti western, it appeared as though the lands have remained untouched, with the exception of the asphalt ribbon running like a snake between them.

These warm days, rumbling by without a shirt or a care, left foot on the go pedal, and right leg stretched across the seat of the pickup. Music plays both loud and soft, ratcheted by his moods, and sustained by enthusiasm, and spirit.

Stopping for a break he shuts the engine down, and with it the music, surrendering himself to the sun and the stillness. The quiet and the heat are consuming. He stands absolutely motionless for a long period, sensing the connection between stillness and survival, like the slim barrier between a tent skin and a curious bear, other more wooded lands provide only an illusion of privacy and security. These rocky desolate wide open lands provide the true solitude. Here, there is no memory, no betrayal.

The West is large enough for a man to lose himself, and in so, doing discover something better.


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