another world is possible so I find an empty place where even the mosquitos haven’t been around for a while. there’s a cavern below with water moving in a tiny stream behind me and the rockshelter’s face peers down into the shallow gorge in front of me. this place is serene; I’m fidgeting. water pools in the stalagmites, a dragonfly lands beside me. I wait for it to emerge, or for a stranger to climb down the path to break up this perfect tension.in the cavern below someone’s left a plastic water bottle. it sits stoic and ineffable, and its presence disturbs me as I think, “this will outlast us, too.” its patience has certainly bested mine. I climb my way up the trail to return to the parking lot. there are birds playing the the trees that hang above the stream while the mosquitos have finally discovered me, my ankles and arms. I return to my car and it’s the same here.