Tranquility of the Spirit
Riffles, seams, pools, runs
Beauty unforeseen in places near forgotten
Each trickle or smooth slipstream
Every lovely lapping bank untrodden
The scars are there, immovable stones
But part of the flow, all the same
Unfolding from the deepest crevasse
Hear the sound that has no name
It's the rush you cannot feel
But imbue within you anyway
Something swirls around that isn't there
It shames the night and takes the day
Majestic allure of water's flow
The truest way to live and win
It conquers hate and embodies love
Peace without is peace within.
This past weekend was something that I can assume that all those who attended needed greatly. Why would I say needed, you might ask. Well I know I can speak for everyone involved when I say that it is more than a blessing to be given a real break from schoolwork and the hectic life that goes along with it. When I say a real break, I hope that everyone will also agree that this was true for them as well. To many of us, that break was spending time hiking a towering mountain, vigorously discussing local political issues, waking up at five thirty in the morning to dig holes in the cold hard ground in the back-country, and then finishing it all out the final day with an interview assignment that has to be done.
There were other, more relaxing things than what I have just mentioned as well such as the long soak in the boiling river, the chill time in the lodge and finally, my favorite part, the ten minute meditations out in the open near beautiful running water. You may think whatever you want to about all these activities, but I believe personally, each and every one was tenfold more enjoyable and less stressful than the life that students like myself are subject to every day we walk our school's halls.
So yes, I do believe that we enjoyed a wonderful break to the fullest extent. It is with unbounded gratitude that I thank all the students who came, the sponsors of the program, the mentors, rangers, wonderful cooks and doers of everything (Crystal and Randy) and finally and most specially my Coach, Michael Leach, for making this past weekend into the wonderful experience that it was. I know the rest of the students share this gratitude as well. Love you Coach.
-Eddie (3000) 17, Gardiner
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