I've often been asked a question I dare not answer – at least, a query to where I cannot properly formulate an answer. There are many variants, depending on the vernacular de jour and just how inebriated the poser of the question is, but all revolves around to why I sit atop this perilous hill adorned by one rapidly dilapidating tree, legs idly swinging over the precipice hovering over this quaint little suburb. As per usual, select delinquents have doled out rather scathing nicknames for me: 'Hillster', 'Big Brother Treehugger', and 'City Voyeur'. All juvenile and not one of them remotely clever – but what can you expect of the unenlightened plebs? When they see behavior that operates outside of their stringent concept of normalcy...something they can't sort into their paradigm without some sort of upset, they begin to ridicule it and – if that proves fruitless – ostracize it and turn said object (or organism) into an anathema. And, I'll be fair...ascending an arbitrary hill on the outskirts of the township and remaining there for hours on end is rather eccentric. My arrival up here has the acute precision of any automation you might care to name and it's always on the same day without fail, though the length of time varies. It might seem pointless and rather inane to the populace below, but I do this for a reason. Several reasons, as a matter of fact.
Firstly, it's the panorama that particular point provides. Not for photography's sake – that would eliminate the mystique of my reason and boil it down to me just wishing for the idolization of my peers or my particular clique. No, this vista's potpourri of earthy hues means much more than that. The contour of natural flatland, with all its resplendence...seemingly embracing the small fragment of modern civilization; it something you wouldn't expect to see with media pushing how development is devastating the planet. But no, this image shows the two smitten rather than at odds with each other. The two entwined and equated. From this, an outsider could only come to the reasonable conclusion that the two remarkably different entities were a couple – inseparable. The juxtaposition is superb and I'll admit that its coruscating emerald splendor is a tad too much to take in at once. Small dosages are recommended and encouraged, but even a transient glimpse can give the soul a proverbial high. Just be wary that it doesn't become addictive. The view's only made better with the undulating rubicund-violent quiver of sunrise and the gallant piercing auburn of sunset. Seldom are we subject to cloud cover, but when they do process in, the intermittent cracks give birth to stalwart (albeit tangential) sunbeams that form lustrous arabesques on the farmland and adjacent meadows garlanded with paisleys of flowerbeds .
However, this is an infrequent occurrence and for the majority of the months, the sun has no inhibitor of its rays. This would necessitate sunglasses if it wasn't for my antiquated companion. This spreading elm is a testament to the longevity of verdure. It's been standing atop this hill for what seems like centuries – locals even make such audacious claims that it stood for millennia. Its obvious hyperbole, but the bark would lead you to believe otherwise. If plants could be anthropomorphized, this one would be twice the age of the eldest veteran, but twice as decorated. It has withstood direct lightning strikes, shrugged off fires with a degree of flippancy, and successfully shattered the drive links on a chainsaw to smithereens. By these feats, it's earned the moniker 'Ol' Unyielding' and the grounds around it are considered hallowed – hence why my biweekly endeavors up here have been painted with the same obfuscating ebony of other heinous transgressions. Couldn't care less, though, because it has allowed me to meet him and learn of the trials and tribulations of the suburb below through his skin. He's even allowed me the pleasure of scrutinizing his chlorophyll-laden regalia. Ol' Unyielding's past hardships have afflicted him with a rather atypical curve, resembling that of a bonsai – but I like to imagine that's his way of shielding me from the elements that be. Arm extending east, he eases the sunrise. Arm stretched west, he mitigates the sunset. He's an ecological aegis with a genial demeanor and his experiences on this prominence acted as the main impetus to my scheduled treks up its side.
On rare occasion – even more rare than overcast – I unfasten myself from seat against his side and step towards the very edge of the hill, gripping the cliff with my toes. I spread my arms to the cardinal directions and wait patiently for the wind to breathe out so that I may absorb the vestiges of purity afore stepping back and plopping down to observe the third reason I ascend this height – the people below. Odd, no? From my earlier affirmation, you'd assume that I was an anti-social elitist and this was my only source of true solidarity. While there is a gossamer of truth in that, I can't help but be enthralled by them. Over here, we have no tall edifices to add luminesce to the night. We have lights, sure – but they're much to dim to pay them heed. Where we truly scintillate is with the people's souls. Aspirations soar here since there are no skyscrapers to dictate the line at which they should stop and no light pollution to opaque just how far they can go. Perish the thought that they're all met, but bless the lack of hindrance. We're far from a somniferous and dull municipality, mind you! There's genuine hustle in that bustle, but without the smog of apathy readily apparent in metropolitan areas. All this in conjunction with the displays of innocence, chivalry, and temperance make this place that much more interesting to survey. Now, if only something could be done about how unashamedly close-minded they can be at pivotal times...
Go here and fro, day by day.
Happenstance may cause sway.
Dialectic affirms this isn't always the mode,
Which makes me proud that the place is my abode.
Encoding Completed.
Initializing USERNAME Cipher...DONE.
Renaming Geocache Unit #672...DONE.
Generating File:Red Herrings.
Deployment of File:Red Herrings...DONE.
Filename "Modern Meditation” Valid. Applying...
"The 17th, old friend. Until then, take care of yourself. This place needs constant vigil.”
