We, the Coronado Scribes, consist of both professional and amateur writers. We have in common a desire to learn, by sharing our efforts and listening to other writers. We hold pressure-less sessions every Wednesday, at the Coronado Library conference room, starting at 1:30. Often we have guests who wish to just listen. They are welcome, and so are you. Each week on eCoronado, we feature a different piece of prose or poetry produced by one of our writers. Please feel free to comment or ask
The Alpinist
By R.J.Black
Alistair came home on Friday and hung his coat in the hall closet as he always did. He took out his Gortex jacket, his bomber hat and his snow goggles and put them on. Then he laced-up his hiking boots, grabbed his ice-pick and proceeded to climb the stairs to the second floor.
The hardwood boards gave way to mossy stones growing tiny purple asters. The banister disappeared in the icy air. The going got tough but the sun hung low in the sky, reminding him of a certain fair-haired child, and he felt happy to be on the mountain again.
Halfway up a herd of weary caribou passed him heading down.
“Where are you going?” he asked, after watching them awhile.
“We’re going to the reservation to live with our Eskimo brothers,” one of the stragglers replied.
Once on the summit, Alistair breathed in deeply to taste the pristine air with his lungs. He could see all around himself, the earth curving down in all directions and his favorite landmarks being overrun by the growing city. The caribou were just below, the yearlings playing behind. He sighed, feeling grateful. Although his children would never know the world he loved so much, he, at least, had come to know the world they were building and come to would love for themselves.
