At the bottom of the crater

 We came here to see what the inside of the volcano looks like, the place closest to Earth’s body. 

I did not descend to the same bottom but sat on the slope. Head became empty, zero thoughts, only an irresistible urge to stay there. The world was left behind the high walls of the crater and disappeared, I felt no need to hurry, I could be here endlessly. It was not sleepiness or fatigue – just the desire to sit on a warm stone, listen to the wind and clouds. I felt light, almost happy.

For a short minute, I imagined that the volcano would erupt again while I sit there and got a cold feeling. 

I got up, slowly started climbing out, here’s the edge of the crater, I see the world again, homes in the far distance, I know people live there, so life goes on again.

In the photo, it looks little, but in reality, it’s much large. 

© Fortune, 2009