Nature’s Challenge

The mountain is below me but I can’t see the bottom.

An orange sun on the horizon barely visible,

as the squall is hiding my path forward.

Strapping into my board,

snow accumulating on my gloves,

my breath failing at fogging my goggles.

Fairweather skiers avoid this weather …

I crave it.

To some it’s a warning to wait.

To me it’s a challenge to leap ahead and begin.

I can barely see but seconds in front of me,

and the snow in the air deadens all sound.

My eyes sharpen.

My ears open.

And the sixth sense we all have …

It’s instinctively telling me I’m alone.

Its just me, the hill and gravity.

Its daring me to descend.

The unknown ahead …

It scares …

It invigorates …

It inspires …