A long walk in a quiet park on a winters night, the cold air is brilliantly clear, the sky cloudless allowing the moon to flood the path ahead in a silvery light. Bright and clear, the moon shines through the trees of the wood casting deep and mysterious shadows, as the first frost of night starts to form and twinkle.
There is a striking quietness when walking alone in evenings such as this, listening with ears that catch the sounds of silence. The quiet waters of the flowing river, the occasional rustle of a bird settling in for the night and the soft step of boot on path, all harmonise to create a unique feeling of freedom and delight at just being here, nothing more, nothing less.
Wandering rough paths, the senses jaded by the modern world, come alive. The sound of the first soft stirrings of a breeze just starting to move the branches at the very top of the trees, the faint fragrance that heralds the coming of light rain and the beautiful shadows cast by a brilliant frosty moon, create a delicate, ethereal atmosphere. Pausing, mind quiet, body still, might even the smallest movement of thought, chase these precious sensations away into the dark of the night.
winter moon above-
frozen shadows don’t tremble
even in wind
Matsuo Basho
A narrow path, a cold bright frosty evening, slowly moving waters, statuesque and austere pines and there at the end of it; one’s self.
And some Winter photos . . . Thanks again to Alfie for taking someone for a walk in the park !
