Moon Walk to the Mail Box
I didn’t have to get the mail. All I get is catalogs and junk mail these days. I just wanted to stay outside in the night, under the stars a little longer, after my jump on the trampoline.
But our driveway is long, nearly ¼ of a mile, and I had forgotten that the larger portion of it is shaded by woods on either side. It was darker than I expected, and at one point, I considered turning back, but I didn’t.
I could barely make out the arm of my long sleeved white blouse under the canopy of leafy trees, and I couldn’t see anything else. I tried to widen my eyes and then focus them intently, as if that would help. Feeling like a vehicle navigating through thick fog, I walked for memory and according to the sound my feet made. If I didn’t hear the gravel moving beneath my awkward shuffled gait, I knew I was headed for the woods.
At the end of our driveway, where it empties onto The Blue Ridge Parkway, the landscape finally opened up. There, I saw the orange crescent moon peeking through the clouds, the kind of moon we drew witches flying over in October when we were kids.
At the mail box, the stack of mostly white envelopes in my hand seemed to glow in the dark. Credit card offers, I supposed.
The return trip went quicker. When I hit the darkest part of the walk, our dog began to bark, as if, once she couldn’t see me any more, she forgot who I was. Or maybe she was barking at a critter…a deer…a skunk…or bear! That was when I quickened my step.
Next time I walk to the mailbox at night, I’ll wait till the moon is full…or take a flashlight.
Have you seen the moon lately?
August 14th, 2005 9:26 am
The last full moon in JULY was so bright and BIG it made me wonder in awe of it all.
August 14th, 2005 9:31 am
I saw a 1/2 moon last night when I took some recyclables to the bin.
Hello, Michele sent me.
August 14th, 2005 10:02 am
Saw the moon from the lake on our backpacking trip–a toenail clipping moon. But that night I was more impressed by the stars–you forget how many layers there are, how it goes on and on. It explains so much about human history, that view. (And the reason I was up? Partly, the crazy sleeping quarters, partly, fear of bears!!)
August 14th, 2005 10:55 am
sounds like a nice walk to me. Michelle sent me.
August 14th, 2005 1:44 pm
Now I’m all creeped out. It’d be DAYLIGHT or a FLASHLIGHT for me!! 🙂
August 14th, 2005 2:01 pm
You can have all my mail if I can come over for a walk like that! You’re walking a treasure.
August 14th, 2005 8:55 pm
I really like this post…quite visual and I could imagine the walk…I enjoy that little rush you get in situations like that. That little pulse of adrenaline.
Here from Michele’s
August 14th, 2005 9:05 pm
Hello, Michele sent me!
I expected you to tell me that something jumped out at you in the post!
August 14th, 2005 9:41 pm
You’re a brave woman! I kept waiting for the part when you tell us that you RAN the rest of the way! heehee The moon is a pretty sight!
August 14th, 2005 11:10 pm
Your walk to the mailbox reminded me of all the walks I did during calving season when we lived in northern Canada. I’d often get up at 3am to see if there were any new arrivals and the barn was at least one half mile away. Often the moon on the snow would provide enough light, and I wouldn’t even bother with a flashflight. What kept me calm was the knowledge that whatever creatures might be wandering the woods, they were a lot less dangerous than the ones that I might run into in your average large city in the daylight.
August 15th, 2005 12:17 am
Love the imagery here, and the atmosphere. Our moon’s been clouded out lately, but on a clear night I’ll step outside and greet it, and see what planets are up.
August 15th, 2005 7:29 am
Such a lovely post. Your writing took us every step of the way with you. I only have to go to the door for my mail.
August 15th, 2005 10:05 am
great post…you pulled me right in with this one..