I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes
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The waters stretched out temptingly before him, as infinite and as
wondrous as gazing into a multi-faceted peridot; full of possibilities and
yet paradoxically complete. Shimmering slightly in the blazing heat of
mid-summer, Lake Tahoe sparkled and glistened invitingly before the young
man, offering a myriad of possibilities and opportunities just waiting to be
grasped.
It was too great a temptation to resist – and Joe had never been one to
resist temptation. Life was too short not to grasp each glittering prize
that offered itself to those brave enough to accept the challenge.
By now, the sun had reached its zenith in the sky and was beating downwards,
the heat reflected inwards by the ring of mountains that surrounded the
alpine lake. Shrugging slightly, Joe peeled off his shirt, revealing a lean
torso, that gleamed a deep golden-bronze in the summer sun, impressively
muscled, yet retaining a slender silhouette. His broad shoulders and
powerful chest paid ample testimony to the long hours spent in hard physical
labour, sweeping down to a narrow waist, then easing into slender hips and
long, athletically muscled legs. Bending over, he pulled off his boots,
discarded his pants with glee and then ran joyfully into the crystalline
waters.
Laughing with sheer joy and exhilaration as the icy waters caressed every
part of his body, Joe threw handfuls of water up into the air, watching as
each droplet cascaded downwards, reflecting the entire spectrum of colours.
He gasped as the chill liquid hit his smooth chest and then threw his head
back and rejoiced at the sheer joy of being young and alive.
Far behind him, half-hidden on a ridge where the scrubby brush grew thick
and dense, Adam watched his younger brother’s exploits and felt his heart
ache. Had he ever been as young and carefree as Joe? Could he ever recapture
the sheer, elemental joy of simply living – and rejoice in that fact?
For a moment, Joe had an eerie sensation of being observed. Seeking to
escape the intrusion, he struck out towards the centre of the lake and, once
in deeper water, took in a deep lungful of air before diving down to the
very bottom of the lake. Propelling himself forwards with powerful strokes,
he soon reached the lakebed, where pebbles lay in tumbled profusion, washed
smooth by untold years. His long fingers reached forward, grasped a single
stone and then Joe kicked upwards, forcing his way through the water,
fighting against the growing pressure in his lungs, one arm outstretched
triumphantly, brandishing his prize. Breaking though the rippling surface of
the lake in a surge of energy, Joe arced gracefully upwards, scattering a
rainbow shower of droplets in his wake, before swimming smoothly towards the
shore. Shaking his head and body, he strode back towards his clothes,
leaving only a trail of damp footsteps in his wake.
Joe leant back upon the sun-warmed rocks, revelling in the heat of the sun
beating down upon his naked body, glorying in the sense of freedom. He ran
his hands through his hair, easing the thick, curly tendrils into a vague
semblance of order and then gazed contentedly up at the panorama that
stretched before him. Was there a more beautiful place on earth? Could
anywhere shrive a man’s soul more thoroughly? A sense of well-being, of
complete and utter contentment suffused his body. Threading his fingers
together and stretching his arms languorously above his head, Joe watched a
small bead of water trickle slowly down his chest, before continuing its
journey southwards over his taut stomach and trickling down his pelvis and
thighs. Raising his head, Joe gazed at the majestic mountains soaring before
him and let peace ease into every fibre of his being.
Still hidden from sight, Adam watched in silence, ensuring that all was well
and then started out on the long road back home.
The End