5am

'Pilgrim ... hey pilgrim.' Two old women at 5am with a small dog. Walking. Down the valley like water.

'Where are you going?'

'To the next temple.' I slow down my pace to stay with them.

'We walk every morning. She's my sister,' says one. There's the sound of the river far away to the left in the wide shallow valley. The sister says nothing. 'Have you cried yet? Has being a pilgrim made you cry?'

'Often.'

'I thought so. I could see it in your face. You're a true disciple. How long has it taken you to walk this far?'

'About 26 years,' I say, happy to give her my model disciple's answer. She looks satisfied.

They stop to turn back. 'Here pilgrim, it's only small. Buy yourself some breakfast.'

Copyright Edwina Breitzke May 1997