"Peace Place: An Exercise in Description"

Challenge: There's a place everyone feels utterly at peace in. Describe a walk through your special place. Or your IDEAL version of this place. Then, turn you phone off and go there. (If you can) If you're feeling ambitious tack on a paragraph at the end of the feelings this place evokes in you.

There's a set of stairs on the side of the building – wooden, narrow. Not at all like the metal fire escape on the other side. But that was meant for frequent use, while these…I'm not really sure why these are here.

It's not a long climb, and I don't use the railings on either side of me. But I do let the fingers of my left hand brush against the cold stone of the building. I've wanted to run my hands over it ever since I arrived two Augusts before, and it feels just like I thought it should.

The first level roof isn't very high, and for a second I contemplate trying to make my way up to the next one. But the fire escape that reaches that one is a jump from where I'm standing, and truth be told, I'm afraid of security catching me.

Instead, I walk to the edge and trace it with my steps. The pond is almost invisible in the darkness, but the moon throws just enough light for me to make it out. There are lights further away, and I know that if I was any closer to them, I would be able to hear voices as people settled in for the night. Windows were open to let in the barely-existent breeze, but without air conditioners, it's the only way to combat the summer heat.

Taking a deep breath, I lower myself until I'm lying down. It's not stone beneath me, though I would prefer that. It's been covered with something that feels like sandpaper – I can only imagine it's to keep people from slipping. I fold my arms behind my head and open my eyes, staring up into the sky. I've never been a stargazer. I can't pick out constellations, or tell you when there's a planet peeking through. But there's something utterly peaceful about looking up into a deep blue blanket that covers everything around you. It's warm, and it's safe, and for the time being, I don't owe anybody anything. I don't have to bury my issues, pretend that I'm okay, or fight for anyone's attention. I don't have to worry about deadlines or family gatherings or what someone thinks of me. I'm just there. And I wish I could stay forever. I even wish I had someone to share it with. A friend. A lover. Someone else who understood.

But at that one moment, I don't need anyone else. Just being there is enough. Just being is enough. Something I don't do nearly as often as I should.