THE RIVER OF UNMINDFULNESS
HIDE IN THE BUSHES.
The sun is setting now
You are hiding in the bushes
Something is moving noisily
Growing louder in a thundering crescendo of snapping twigs
And clomping hoofs
It stops
You hear heavy breathing beyond the bushes
You can’t see it
But you can hear it
A few feet away
Sniffing at your unfamiliar scent
Through the leafy cover
Two eyes appear
They are huge
Glowing with a faint red tinge
Scanning
They lock on you
Stillness
Only the glowing eyes and their unbreakable stare
Burning
Seizing upon you
Forcing something into your mind’s eye
An image of yourself
Memories flood over you
Your crewmates
Your friends
Their faces
The screaming and the crying and the Shame
Cowardice
Betrayal
You feel lightheaded