Ran...40...olives

Each time I ran this week I wanted earth, not asphalt (and definitely not cement) under my feet. I didn't know that until today when I turned left into the olive tree-lined lane off Russell. Instead of staying on the smooth, flat, safe pavement, I slowed my pace and ran directly under the trees, paying close attention to my feet as they hit the softer, bumpy dirt trail, covered with old seeds, new olives and branches with leaves. I think I wanted to absorb through the ground the light, the oil, the food, the shelter, the peace and the poetry of olive trees.