Essence

While the rays of the late summer sun are still hiding, my anticipation hit its peak. Yet, there lies calmness and joy within me. Born from the silence around me, both feelings pamper me by creating a deep connection to my environment.

It is not quietness I came here for, but this one moment of silence while the sun finally rises. Enjoying the absence of human noises, I feel free and naturally finished. And while my eyes take in the fields before me, I realize that I am not alone. Sitting still in my synthetic clothes born by the continual motion of abundance-generating machines, my gaze meets that of another soul. Deep brown eyes encounter my glance and lock onto my eyes. Not only connected by our eyes, my counterpart, too, sits still in calmness and anticipation.

Only seconds till sunrise, the creature arises onto all fours, carefully making its way towards me. With grace and every step placed in the timing of nature’s most beautiful symphony, it slowly approaches. And while it comes closer, its eyes, still connected to mine, show no sign of danger. Its fragrance starts to reach my nose, telling me of its comely fierceness and the zealous strength with which it knows to meet life. It is not only my counterpart but my opposition, contrasting my sophistication and conformity. And with every scar and movement that meets my sight, its individuality speaks scorn to my sameness. Stopping in front of me. lowering its head. Enrapturing me with its invitation. I follow suit, feeling the life-roughened fur touching my forehead. And just as the sun throws its first sunray over the mountain, the natural creature and I become one, merging in mind.

That is the moment my body rises to all fours, locking my gaze on the sublime prey before me. Seeing the hunger in my eyes, it starts to run, fleeing through the tree line with curved tracks. But enabled by the fierceness and purposefulness of the predator merged with me, I chase after my predation. Infilled with the power. Power of significance. Realizing what I was meant to be, I quickly make up ground. With my prize trying to get away, my strong legs catapult me towards my aim, with my paws and fangs locking my target. I throw it to the ground, bringing the hunt to an end.

Finally, blood fills the soil before me.

That is when the rays of the early sun hit my closed eyes. Opening them, there is only a short part of a second to embrace the ease of the new day. Soon, the noises of the first cars break the silence, telling their story of the unnatural world of sameness I inhabit. But with my eyes gazing at the book on my legs, I see the mind-spilled blood of my hunt filling the pages in front of me. And while the once-found essence of nature exits my being, leaving behind a mere member of society, I close my notebook, bringing the hunt to its true end. Yet, I am aware that it starts anew tomorrow and the day after until I finally catch the genuine prize, becoming the creature of nature myself.