an afternoon hike

matthew and i drove 30 minutes to the west and a little north to find ourselves in the mountains that i can see from my apartment window. we hiked a trail far from the highway and from the city’s voice. trails like these are where the smell of pine and earth are the strongest. as we walked along the path, matthew reached back to take my hand and the air was sweetened for a few paces when we passed a patch of wild flowers. the air was cool as it breezed through my hair and the afternoon was warm on my shoulders. the only sounds were of our feet on the ground, the pounding in our chests and the waking of aspen leaves above us.