Mountains in the Morning Light

Mountain Sunrise West of Browning
20”W x 16”H
Oil on Canvas

I woke up before the sun again.

No alarm. Just happens. Always has. House was quiet… that kind of quiet you only get out here. No cars, no nothing. Just the place settling.

I sat there for a minute, then pulled my boots on and went outside.

Air had that bite to it, but not bad. Just enough to wake you up. I didn’t grab a coat. Never do. Feels wrong this time of day.

Prairie was still half asleep. Kind of gray, kind of gold, hard to tell which. Mountains were just sitting there in the distance, dark shapes more than anything.

I walked out a little ways. Same path as always. Didn’t plan it years ago or anything… just ended up walking it enough times that it’s there now.

Stopped where I always stop.

And then it started.

Real slow. You don’t notice it at first unless you’re looking for it. Sky just kind of softens, like it’s thinking about waking up. Then that line shows up down low.

Pink.

Not bright. Not loud. Just… there.

Hits the peaks first. Always does.

Left side catches it, then it works its way across. That middle one lights up just enough to show what it is. Snow stops looking dead. Rock gets a little life back in it.

I just stood there.

I tried to take a picture, but they never come out right anyway.

Wind came through the grass a little. Nothing big. Just enough to move it. You can hear it if you’re paying attention. Most people wouldn’t.

I shifted my weight, watched the light climb a bit.

There was a time I would’ve tried to put words to it. Thought I needed to hang onto it somehow. Don’t anymore. You can’t keep this kind of thing. You just catch it while it’s there.

That’s enough.

Light started changing after a bit. Pink fades quick. Gets brighter, sharper. Different kind of morning once that happens.

That’s when I usually head back.

Stood there one more minute, then turned around and walked in. Same path. Same everything.

Behind me it was already changing into something else.

But I’d seen it.

That’s the part I come out for.