by Gábor Zapreskó

Peaceful. If I had to describe this place in one word, peaceful would be a perfect choice. On top of a hill there lies a summit, surrounded by forest, like a newborn in its mother’s cradling arms. The forest is very dense and there are only two paths that lead up to this summit. When someone leaves those paths and enters the summit, they will find themselves surrounded in brightness.

The sun shines perfectly and there isn’t a single shadow. As the momentary blindness from exiting the shadowy paths passes, you will find that the brown-green colors of a forest suddenly changed into all green and white, with several feet high grass. There are sounds of a forest all around us while being caught between the immense ocean of green and the vast blue sky. The sunshine makes this place really warm but a soothing breeze passes by sometimes, gently caressing the skin of anyone feeling too hot from the sun’s glare. The fresh air is relaxing and revitalizing, reviving the will of a tired person.

From the top of this hill, there is a very good view of the forest and the city in the background, which at this point looks like a grey stain in the surroundings, especially before the forest mountain on the far side. The peace of the view is sometimes disturbed by small noises, as a small animal runs through the grass, into the forest.

The spectators cannot help but feel the life all around themselves and think about how small humans are. After finishing the trip, they go home and suddenly feel locked up between the four walls of their rooms.

(2009)