by Brad Cole
It was in the morning when I started walking down the ice road from Tuluksak. An icy fog hung in the air where in a quarter of a mile the river disappeared into it. Large frost covered branches were sticking out of the snow circling the soft spots in the ice. Then I heard “squawk! squawk!” and saw a Raven soaring slowly over the snow covered trees.
Today, I thought, the ice road has too many large snowdrifts for anything besides snowmachines. But soon the drifts will harden from the wind and the cars will return – until it starts to melt.
An icy river can make good trail for walkers. On clear days I can see about a mile in either direction, which usually includes a fox crossing quickly from one bank of the river to another.
I stopped and stood quietly and breathed deeply the cold air and wind of the river. The sky sparkled slightly from the ice fog. A Raven flapped up out of the trees, curled quickly about only to glide away and disappear behind them again. They like to play in the wind while hunting for mice, I wondered.
It is the far off and ceaseless openness of the wild that appeals to me. I feel like a tiny seedling that wants to grow into a large tree and just sway calmly in the night winds of the forest, I thought while standing on the river, sensing the wholeness of life.
Walking on I remembered the heavy loads and the long miles that people have taken down the rugged road of life. It seems by its’ very nature life wants to be a challenge, as though asking us to be a strong but peaceful people.
I heard a soft “swoosh” coming from above and saw another large wing-swept Raven floating overhead. Even in the depths of winter they never seem to get cold, I thought. The blackness of their wings shines with light.
Continuing my walk I found that there were no other people on the ice road, just me and the feather-frosted branches sticking out of the snow. So I decided to turn around and head back home. The ice fog was lifting and spots of sunlight peered through the grey sky.
While on my walk home I imagined a moon rising up within my soul like a raven floating calmly above the trees.
In this vision I could see the dark twisted branches of the snowy forest giving birth to the black winged Raven, a creature of flight. It is the Ravens that give life to a northern forest.
And then as the Earth grew Raven created Man so the world could be an even better place with the use of tools and culture. This is based on a faith that reaches out beyond myself.
