step by step

the ascent

I recall the earth, smothered in dry leaves and twigs, rustling and cracking beneath our uneven footsteps. The air was thick and humid, and sweat clung to our clothes, refusing to let go. We were enveloped in hues of green that stretched on forever, a blurred canvas of leafy sights. We were little explorers, curious and ready to conquer the world.

Along the steep trail, we encountered thin, stunted gum trees amongst tall stringybark, stark against the foliage littered across the forest floor. I reached towards the strips of dead bark in awe, feeling the rough, scratchy exterior against my skin. Another kid yelped and ran away, convinced that the bark that crumbled in his hands were ants. We hiked onwards, the winding path beginning to narrow and squeeze us in. The occasional laugh of a kookaburra would shatter the silence, rousing other forest critters to chatter along.

As we ducked under a low hanging branch that threatened to snag us, the soft sound of trickling water stirred our senses, as we glanced at each other in thrill. A waterfall! We ran noisily, dust exploding under every step. The lush bracken lined the sandy track, tickling our legs as we ran past, gasping for breath. When we reached the source of the sound, our faces fell, and we groaned in disappointment. We had discovered a small, low cave, and there was a shallow creek inside, complete with jagged stepping stones. It sat in the crook of a cliff ledge that overlooked the bush trail we were on, but its intimidating height did not frighten us at all.

We began to climb the lopsided rocks, the coarse grain grazing our hands and knees as we scrambled up clumsily and with haste. When I had finally pushed myself on top, I rolled over and gazed at the unblemished sky, a weary smile gracing my features. A cool breeze brushed past us, and we all sighed in relief. It was cooler up here, and there was no whine of mosquitoes to be heard.

Suddenly, a hand pulls me up, and I am greeted by a sight that renders me speechless. Below us is the thick canopy of trees that has sheltered us all day, and from this elevation, the rays of sunlight light up the leaves in radiant streaks. Beyond the towering trees, a faint outline of the city continues past the horizon, a mist of dreary grey against a clear sky.

I let it all soak in; the sticky sweat, the rustling of leaves above us, the murmurs of forest critters and the long, droopy arms of ferns tickling my ankles, as I watch the dying brilliance of the sun. Even years later, it still feels like I have conquered the world, surrounded by nature, where my heart truly belongs.

studfield news writing competition; received first place
1/12/2016

note: originally wrote this for a descriptive task so please excuse the dramatic use of description here!