My Mother and I

A large exposed rock, beautiful in its own, appearing magnificent and mighty as she shoves through the Earth, rising upward, seems impenetrable.

Enter Water, in her beauty, who flows with glory over any surface, owning it, rummaging through its cracks and pores, creating depth in her quest toward her destination.

Rock desires air—as much as she can get--and rises up toward it, whilst Water yearns for depth—as deep as she can be—and there she flows. Yet despite the appearance that the two could be rather decent rivals, the pair make fabulous friends. Friends who sit in a peaceful silence, in reflection of themselves and in a lackadaisical pondering of who may be the stronger of the duo.

For Rock gracefully takes upon her, footsteps of those who trample over her or who use her shoulders for a boost to their success. She gladly takes within her any organism who scrabbles or slithers, or slinks their way into the crevasses of her heart, no matter the cost to her being. For everyone, at times, needs shelter, and thus because she can, she provides. She stands for great periods of time before eventually she crumbles beneath the pressures and the elements which she so loves but which wear her down. For apparently strong and stable, yet occasionally shaken, Rock is oft broken with the softest flow of water.

Yet Water is in need of the very earth from which rock hails. She is used as a resource of which every organism takes advantage. They penetrate her flowing liquid skin, taking her into their bodies for their own, until she is almost spent and has nothing left for self. They impregnate her with poisons and waste and walk away ignorant of the hurt which they have caused this beauty. Yet she embraces them none-the-less as a glove takes a hand. Tough though tender, she is unbreakable. So soft and sharp is she that she may carve and cut and crumble and crack those who stand in her way, leaving her mark.

In the midst of this contemplation, the two elements paused to have a listen into the conversation of two observers, passing along a pleasant shaded trail.

“Look at that rock!” one said, as she took in the sight of Rock, who was proudly displaying her complex layers, “It’s amazing how with knowledge, the more beautiful she becomes.”

To which the other, admiring Water, who was glad to show off her fall, responded cleverly, “but that water cuts right through that rock, now doesn’t it?”

It was in the moment that the observers walked away, that the two elements smiled with understanding. For as Water weeps upon Rock, who patiently, lovingly and gently guides Water to her ultimate destination, providing constant support until their final parting, Water carves beauty into Rock, adding sediment and minerals essential to survival; building her up while simultaneously breaking her down, softening rock’s features. Shaping her into her old age.

So deeply intertwined are their lives that they are as much a part of one another as they are themselves.