And from a high place he watched in wonder as the sun sank into the desert sea

He watched as it stained the sand like wine spreading on a table

Like blood

The voice led him into dark canyons carved by raging streams now long dry.

And he was grateful to leave behind the dark places

To climb towards light

Dust devils plucked specks from the sand and spat them in his face.

Walk on, my Son

This is your time….and mine

After a time, the desert seemed so big, and he, so small.

A panic rose in him. It clutched him like a hand at his throat

Who am I?

What am I?

What terrible road lies before me?

Father- my body is weak

I am a drop of water

On a rock

Under the hot desert sun

Soon I will be gone.

But still he walked- still he followed…

That voice.

As he walked he began to leave something of himself behind. He felt the skin of civilisation being burned away by the sun…

Driven away by the wild animals of the wilderness.

But with the rhythm of every step there came this incredible music… singing to him

It’s your time…. And mine.

He did not look back to the comforts of home, but walked on…

into the desert – the place of suffering and desolation, where each rock hid its own danger

every stone could strike at the heel

he walked onwards

alone.